Ernest J. King's long military career began by him asking to be placed on a ship in the Spanish American war, instead of heading out on leave with the rest of his freshman Naval Academy class. He definitely had the best after leave story when he and his class returned for sophomore year.
Dream Career
King joined the Naval Academy in 1897. However, The USS Maine blew up in the Havana Harbor in the beginning of 1898. The midshipmen, or cadets, stayed with their studies until April.
The U.S. officially declared war. The seniors at Annapolis were sent to the ships to serve as midshipmen, and the juniors went if they passed their exams.
All of the lower level classmen went home for leave. King wanted to serve. Four other classmates went with him to Washington to petition for a fleet assignment. He was sent to serve on the USS San Francisco.
The ship was a patrol ship guarding the ports cities and surrounding waters. The San Francisco even went to Havana Harbor to stop the Spanish ships. The ships exchanged fire, but the San Francisco eventually withdrew.
Launching Point For A Promising Career
The fight was short, but King received two medals for the skirmish, the Spanish Campaign Medal and the Sampson Medal. All who served in the short war received the Campain Medal, but the second was reserved for the sailors who were under the command of Rear Adm. William T. Sampson.
King went on to serve in World War. After the war, he served on submarines. Later he became an aviator and was in charge of the USS Lexington.
He made quite the name for himself by the time World War II came around. He was an incredibly experienced sailor and was also one of the only men to make fleet admiral, only three other also achieved that rank.
Thanks, Meg. I owe you a lot. I did not realize anything about Admiral Ernest King's history. I can now say I admire his willingness to serve and grow. I am sure that it had a dramatic effect on how WW II was fought in the Pacific--which was unavoidably a Navy and Marine war, versus the war in Europe.
My own DoD career in the Army was short (8 years, with service in VIetnam), but I ended up serving in the Air Force for 36 years. Like Admiral King, however, I found that my career and skills fit into a larger and coordinated picture that I could only see AFTER it was over. So, your article was valuable in showing me the effect of making a difference early on, as Admiral King did.
That battleship photo was unique in my collection. Thanks.
Dave
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This sort of bravery is rare.Bless him for his service
I was also in the Navy but when I was in women did not get ship assignments. It was when I was being discharged that they changed the rules but I was married at that time and my husband was in the Coast Guard so I opted out.