Robert L. Ghormley

Vice Admiral Robert Lee Ghormley (15 October 1883 – 21 June 1958) was an admiral in the United States Navy, serving as Commander, South Pacific Area, during the Second World War.

Biography

Early years

Vice Admiral Ghormley was born in Portland, Oregon on October 15, 1883, the oldest of six children to a Presbyterian missionary. While attending the University of Idaho, he was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland and entered there, September 23, 1902, graduating June 1906. He served on cruisers during the next five years, including the USS West Virginia (ACR-5), the auxiliary cruiser USS Buffalo,USS Charleston (C-22), and the USS Maryland (ACR-8). In 1911–13, Lieutenant Ghormley was Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, participating in the 1912 campaign in Nicaragua. That was followed by duty at the U.S. Naval Academy starting in June 1913. He was assigned to the battleship Nevada (BB-36) in June 1916.

Ghormley was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on May 23, 1917 and spent most of World War I on the Nevada and as a flag aide. Late in the conflict, he was promoted to commander and became assistant director of the Overseas Division of the Naval Overseas Transportation Service. In 1919 he was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his service in this position.