Fonds 91/431 - Ernest Joseph King fonds

Ernest Joseph King served with the U.S. Navy during the First and Second World Wars, and was Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Fleet during 1941-1945. Born in Lorain, Ohio in 1878, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy from 1897 until 1901. During that period, he also served on the USS San Francisco during the Spanish American War. Before World War I he served in the surface fleet. From 1919 to 1925, he held several posts associated with submarine operations. In 1926, he took command of the aircraft tender USS Wright with additional duties as Senior Aide on the Staff of Commander Air Squadrons, Atlantic Fleet. In 1927 he began flying lessons. He was also designated Naval Aviator 3368, when he resumed command of Wright. He commanded Wright until 1929, with a brief interlude commanding the salvage operations of USS S-4, when he was assigned command of the Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia. In 1930, he became captain of the carrier USS Lexington which he commanded for the next two years. In 1932 he attended the Naval War College. In 1933, he was promoted to Rear Admiral, and, as a promoter of air warfare, was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics. From 1936 until 1940, he commanded various aircraft forces. He was promoted to Vice Admiral in 1938. In 1940, King served on the General Board. He was promoted to Admiral in 1941 and appointed Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet. Later that year he became Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet, assuming operational control of all American naval forces. In 1942, he was appointed Chief of Naval Operations, relieving Admiral Stark, becoming the only person to hold this combined command. In 1944 he was promoted to the newly created rank of Fleet Admiral. He retired in 1945 and died in June 1956.