Eric Fred Zemke
Captain (retired) Eric Fred Zemke (15 May, 1890 – 10 July, 1975) served in the United States Navy.
Life & Career
Eric Zemke was born in Wisconsin and appointed to the Naval Academy from the same state, graduating on 7 June, 1913 with the rank of Ensign.[1]
Early in his career, Zemke began serving in submarines, being assigned to monitor Cheyenne, then acting as a Submarine Tender, by late 1915.[2] After being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) on 7 June, 1916,[3] by December he was serving aboard H-3 when that submarine ran aground near Humboldt Bay in California.[4]
Great War
During World War I Zemke assumed command of submarine L-1, earning the Navy Cross for his work in conducting patrols in European waters.[5] He was promoted to the temporary rank of Lieutenant on 31 August, 1917[6] and the temporary rank of Lieutenant Commander on 21 September, 1918.[7] He was promoted to the permanent rank of Lieutenant on 7 June, 1919.[8]
Interwar Period
Zemke continued his service in submarines after the war. He was the first commanding officer of both R-7 in 1919,[9] and S-8 in 1920.[10] Zemke was promoted to the permanent rank of Lieutenant Commander on 29 December, 1923.[11]
His only other command, of destroyer Dallas, lasted from 1929 to 1932.[12]
Zemke was retired on 30 June, 1934 for ineligibility for further promotion.[13]
World War II
His career, however, was not over. Zemke was recalled to duty in World War II. He was in the Fleet Maintenance Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in April, 1941,[14] and he remained on active duty throughout the war. Zemke was promoted to the rank of Commander on the Retired List on 25 February, 1942[15] and to the rank of Captain on the Retired List on 9 June, 1943.[16]
When Zemke returned to inactive duty after the war, he did so as a retired Captain with date of rank of 9 June, 1943.[17]
See Also
Bibliography
Service Records
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by George A. Rood |
Captain of U.S.S. L-1 1918[18] |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of U.S.S. R-7 12 Jun, 1919[19] – after 1 Jan, 1920[20] |
Succeeded by James A. Scott |
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of U.S.S. S-8 1 Oct, 1920[21] – before Jul, 1921[22] |
Succeeded by Benjamin S. Killmaster |
| Preceded by Alexander R. Early |
Captain of U.S.S. Dallas 24 Aug, 1929[23] – 17 May, 1932 |
Succeeded by ? |
Footnotes
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1914. pp. 68-69.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1916. pp. 64, 281.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1917. pp. 60-61.
- ↑ Oakland Tribune 15 December, 1916 p. 1.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1919. pp. 58-59.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1918. p. 64.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1919. p. 58.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1920. p. 44.
- ↑ DANFS
- ↑ DANFS
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1925. pp. 50-51.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1928. pp. 46-47.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1935. pp. 416, 502.
- ↑ Navy Directory 1 April, 1941 p. 225.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1942. p. 490.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1944. p. 633.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1949. p. 559.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1919. pp. 58-59.
- ↑ DANFS
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1920. pp. 44-45.
- ↑ DANFS
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1922. pp. 44-45.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1928. pp. 46-47.
