Ernest M. Eller
Encyclopedia
Ernest McNeill Eller was a Rear Admiral
in the United States Navy
, who served as Director of Naval History, Naval History Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from 1956 to 1970.
. The son of Edward E, Eller and Elizabeth McNeill Eller, he attended North Wilkesboro High School, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
, and North Carolina State College
at Raleigh, North Carolina
, before entering the United States Naval Academy
in 1921. As a midshipman he was Managing Editor of The Log, President of the Trident Society, and editor of The Trident, graduating with the Class of 1925. He received a Master of Arts degree in Psychology at George Washington University, Washington, DC, in 1934.
on 4 June 1925, Eller rose to the rank of Captain in 1944, to date from 20 July 1943, and served in the temporary rank of Commodore from 30 September 1946 until 1 December 1947. On 1 April 1954 he was transferred to the Retired List of the US Navy as a Rear Admiral
.
He served on until 14 June 1926, when he reported to the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island
, for instruction. On 3 January 1927 he joined and served on board that battleship until 28 May 1927. Following instruction in submarines at the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut
, he served successively from February 1928 to April 1932 in and . For the next three years he had duty at the United States Naval Academy
in the Department of English and History and the Executive Department. During that period, he earned a Master of Arts
degree in Psychology
at George Washington University
, Washington, D.C.
.
During his next period of sea duty, he organized and conducted the Fleet Machine Gun School in , in which he served until May 1938. He then returned to the Naval Academy for duty in the Departments of English and History, and Ordnance and Gunnery. From September 1940 until May 1941 he served as Assistant Naval Attaché in London, England, and as Observer with the British Home Fleet
for radar, anti-aircraft, and other wartime technical developments.
After brief duty in the Fleet Training Division and Bureau of Ordnance developing anti-aircraft training and weapons, he was ordered to and served as her gunnery officer until May 1942. He was on board that aircraft carrier when she made her high-speed run from San Diego, California
, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, with urgently needed plane and pilot replacements immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
. He was also on board when was torpedoed in January 1942 while on her third operational foray into the Marshall Islands
and Midway Island areas.
He served for the next three years on the staff Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC), as Assistant Gunnery and Anti-submarine Training Officer. In addition, he analyzed actions and wrote CINCPAC’s war reports during the first part of this tour of duty.
He was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat “V.” The citation follows in part:
During the summer and fall of 1945, he commanded the attack transport , participating in three occupation moves into Japan
and China
. From late in December 1945 until March 1946, he served as District Public Information Officer, Twelfth Naval District, San Francisco, California
. He reported in April 1946 to the Office of Public Information, Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
, to serve as Deputy Director and on 31 July 1946 assumed the duties of Director of Public Information. He was promoted to the temporary rank of Commodore
on 30 September 1946.
Selected to attend the course at the National War College
, Washington, D.C.
, which convened on 30 August 1948, he completed the course and reported in June 1949 for duty in the Staff Planning Section of the Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff
. In this duty he accompanied the Joint Chiefs of Staff
to the member countries of NATO establishing plans for the military structure of that organization. A year later, at the outbreak of the Korean War
, he became Commander, Middle East Force, in the Persian Gulf
– Indian Ocean
area. He assumed command of on 14 May 1951, and in April 1952 he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, International Affairs Division. Late in 1953 he was hospitalized and on 1 April 1954 was transferred to the Retired List of the Navy.
On 15 September 1956 he was recalled to active duty as Director of Naval History, Naval History Division and Curator of the Navy Department, Washington, DC, and served as such until relieved of active duty on 23 January 1970.
Admiral Eller died of a heart ailment on 30 July 1992 at his home in Annapolis, Maryland. He was 89.
In 1967, he received the Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement
.
Major Contributions to the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings (USNIP)
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, who served as Director of Naval History, Naval History Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from 1956 to 1970.
Early Life and education
Ernest Eller was born on 23 January 1903 in Marion, VirginiaMarion, Virginia
Marion is a town in Smyth County, Virginia, United States. The population was 5,968 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Smyth County. The town is named for American Revolutionary War officer Francis Marion.-Tourism:...
. The son of Edward E, Eller and Elizabeth McNeill Eller, he attended North Wilkesboro High School, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
North Wilkesboro is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was approximately 4,116 at the 2000 census and is now 4,245 as of the 2010 census. North Wilkesboro is the birthplace and original home of Lowe's Home Improvement, which continues to have a major presence in...
, and North Carolina State College
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
at Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, before entering the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1921. As a midshipman he was Managing Editor of The Log, President of the Trident Society, and editor of The Trident, graduating with the Class of 1925. He received a Master of Arts degree in Psychology at George Washington University, Washington, DC, in 1934.
Naval career
Graduated and commissioned an EnsignEnsign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
on 4 June 1925, Eller rose to the rank of Captain in 1944, to date from 20 July 1943, and served in the temporary rank of Commodore from 30 September 1946 until 1 December 1947. On 1 April 1954 he was transferred to the Retired List of the US Navy as a Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
.
He served on until 14 June 1926, when he reported to the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, for instruction. On 3 January 1927 he joined and served on board that battleship until 28 May 1927. Following instruction in submarines at the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
, he served successively from February 1928 to April 1932 in and . For the next three years he had duty at the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in the Department of English and History and the Executive Department. During that period, he earned a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
at George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
During his next period of sea duty, he organized and conducted the Fleet Machine Gun School in , in which he served until May 1938. He then returned to the Naval Academy for duty in the Departments of English and History, and Ordnance and Gunnery. From September 1940 until May 1941 he served as Assistant Naval Attaché in London, England, and as Observer with the British Home Fleet
British Home Fleet
The Home Fleet was a fleet of the Royal Navy which operated in the United Kingdom's territorial waters from 1902 with intervals until 1967.-Pre–First World War:...
for radar, anti-aircraft, and other wartime technical developments.
After brief duty in the Fleet Training Division and Bureau of Ordnance developing anti-aircraft training and weapons, he was ordered to and served as her gunnery officer until May 1942. He was on board that aircraft carrier when she made her high-speed run from San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, with urgently needed plane and pilot replacements immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
. He was also on board when was torpedoed in January 1942 while on her third operational foray into the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
and Midway Island areas.
He served for the next three years on the staff Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC), as Assistant Gunnery and Anti-submarine Training Officer. In addition, he analyzed actions and wrote CINCPAC’s war reports during the first part of this tour of duty.
He was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat “V.” The citation follows in part:
For exceptionally meritorious conduct…while attached to the staff of the Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific War Area from May 1942 to April 1945. Analyzing war reports and developing, expanding and supervising all types of training, particularly anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, amphibious and shore bombardment, (he) participated in landings on MakinMakin (islands)Makin is the name of a chain of islands located in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati, specifically in the Gilbert Islands.-Geography:...
and Okinawa and in other combat operations which led to improved methods and development of new weapons. In his constant attention to improvements in weapons and armament of his ships and in his supervision of Fleet ammunition supply, he rendered vital service in developing and maintaining the combat readiness of the Fleet…
During the summer and fall of 1945, he commanded the attack transport , participating in three occupation moves into Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. From late in December 1945 until March 1946, he served as District Public Information Officer, Twelfth Naval District, San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. He reported in April 1946 to the Office of Public Information, Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, to serve as Deputy Director and on 31 July 1946 assumed the duties of Director of Public Information. He was promoted to the temporary rank of Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
on 30 September 1946.
Selected to attend the course at the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, which convened on 30 August 1948, he completed the course and reported in June 1949 for duty in the Staff Planning Section of the Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
. In this duty he accompanied the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
to the member countries of NATO establishing plans for the military structure of that organization. A year later, at the outbreak of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, he became Commander, Middle East Force, in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
– Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
area. He assumed command of on 14 May 1951, and in April 1952 he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, International Affairs Division. Late in 1953 he was hospitalized and on 1 April 1954 was transferred to the Retired List of the Navy.
On 15 September 1956 he was recalled to active duty as Director of Naval History, Naval History Division and Curator of the Navy Department, Washington, DC, and served as such until relieved of active duty on 23 January 1970.
Admiral Eller died of a heart ailment on 30 July 1992 at his home in Annapolis, Maryland. He was 89.
Awards and decorations
In addition to the Legion of Merit with Combat “V,” Rear Admiral Eller was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia and Europe Clasps; the China Service Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star.
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with Combat V
American Defense Service MedalAmerican Defense Service MedalThe American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:...
American Campaign MedalAmerican Campaign MedalThe American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign MedalThe Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was...
World War II Victory MedalWorld War II Victory MedalThe World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
Navy Occupation Service MedalNavy Occupation Service MedalThe Navy Occupation Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Navy which was issued to Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel who participated in the European and Asian occupation forces following the close of the World War II. The decoration was also bestowed to personnel who...
, Asia and Europe Clasp
China Service MedalChina Service MedalThe China Service Medal was a military medal awarded to U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel. The medal was instituted on August 23, 1940 and featured a yellow ribbon with narrow red edge stripes...
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
with bronze star
In 1967, he received the Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement
Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement
The Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement is made annually by the Navy League of the United States. It is named for the famous American naval historian and theorist, Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, United States Navy who, through his writing, provided vital stimulus and guidance...
.
Publications
Books and Pamphlets- Notes on fire control, 1940, for U.S. Naval Reserve, prepared by E.M. Eller, under the direction of the head of the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery, U.S. Naval Academy. Washington: U.S. G.P.O., 1941
- The Civil War at sea: "the nation notes and long remembers.", 1961
- Salem; star and dawn, Foreword by J. Kenneth Pfohl. Winston-Salem, N.C., Woman’s Fellowship, Moravian Church South, [1962].
- Quiver: the class of 1925, U.S. Naval Academy: the 40th anniversary, editor-in-chief, Ernest M. Eller, managing editor, Thomas Burrowes, 1965.
- Sea power and the battle of New Orleans, by E.M. Eller, William J. MorganWilliam J. Morgan (historian)William James Morgan was Senior Historian at the U.S...
, and R. M. Basoco. [New Orleans, La.] : Battle of New Orleans, 150th Anniversary Committee of Louisiana, 1965 - The Soviet sea challenge. Foreword by Arleigh BurkeArleigh BurkeAdmiral Arleigh Albert '31-knot' Burke was an admiral of the United States Navy who distinguished himself during World War II and the Korean War, and who served as Chief of Naval Operations during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations.-Early life and naval career:Burke was born in Boulder,...
. [Chicago] Cowles Book Co. [1971] - Naval weapons of the American Revolution, 1775–1783, prepared by Ernest M. Eller. Washington: American Defense Preparedness Association, 1976.
- Chesapeake Bay in the American Revolution, Ernest McNeill Eller, editor. Centreville, Md.: Tidewater Publishers, 1981.
- Reminiscences of Admiral Ernest M. Eller, United States Navy (Retired), interviewed by John T. Mason, Jr. Annapolis, Maryland: U.S. Naval Institute, 1986
Major Contributions to the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings (USNIP)
- 1930, “Will to Win.” USNIP 56, no. 5 (May): 371-378. [First Honorable Mention.].
- 1932, “Time is Life.” USNIP 58, no. 4 (April): 493-505. [Prize.].
- 1936, “Sea Power in the American Revolution.” USNIP 62, no. 6 (June): 777-789. [Honorable Mention.].
- 1936, “Courage is Not Enough.” USNIP 62, no. 7 (July): 943-955. [Honorable Mention.].
- 1938, “Japan’s Rising Sun.” USNIP 64, no. 7 (July): 949-962. [Special Award.].
- 1938, “The Philippines and the Pacific.” USNIP 64, no. 10 (October): 1467-1488. [Special Award. Plates, pp. 1481–1488.].
- 1942, “How Shall We Win?” USNIP 68, no. 4 (April): 465-476. [Prize.].
- 1946, “Against All Enemies.” USNIP 72, no. 7 (July): 891-907.
- 1950, “Will We Need a Navy to Win?” USNIP 76, no. 3 (March): 237-247. [Prize.].
- 1955, “Soviet Bid for the Sea.” USNIP 81, no. 6 (June): 619-635.
- 1956, “U.S. Destiny in the Middle East.” USNIP 82, no. 11 (November): 1160-1169.