John Vincent Babcock

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Captain John Vincent Babcock (27 July, 1880 – 7 March, 1955) served in the United States Navy.

Life & Career

Babcock was born in Iowa and was appointed to the Naval Academy from the same state, graduating near the bottom of the Class of 1901.[1][2]

He was commissioned Ensign on 7 June, 1903, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 7 June, 1906. Following his promotion, he assumed command of destroyer Truxtun, remaining in this position until late 1907.[3][4][5] In 1911 he helped fit out battleship South Carolina and served aboard upon commissioning. Babcock then was appointed Flotilla Torpedo Officer for the Atlantic Fleet's Torpedo Flotilla, beginning an association with William Sowden Sims. Babcock was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander on 1 July, 1914 while in this position. He followed Sims to the new battleship Nevada in 1916.[6][7][8].

Shortly before American entry into World War I, Babcock accompanied Sims to London, serving as personal aide to the eventual commander of all US naval forces in European waters. He was promoted to the temporary rank of Commander on 31 August, 1917 and later received the Navy Cross for his wartime service.[9][10][11]

Following the war, Babcock's rank of Commander was made permanent as of 1 July, 1919. He was appointed to command auxiliary cruiser Buffalo, then serving as a destroyer tender, from 1920 to 1921.[12][13]

Babcock was promoted to the rank of Captain on 5 June, 1924. He successively commanded destroyer tender Melville and seaplane tender Wright from 1924 to 1926 before serving as a member of the US Naval Mission to Brazil.[14][15][16][17][18]

In August 1929 Babcock was appointed to command light cruiser Richmond, a position he held for nearly two years. He then assumed command of the NROTC unit at Yale University until being named Chief of Staff to the Commander, Base Force in July 1934. This proved to be his last assignment as, passed over for promotion, Babcock was placed on the Retired List on 30 June, 1936.[19][20][21][22]

Like so many retired officers, Babcock was recalled to active duty during World War II. He was in charge of NROTC activities in Atlanta, Georgia,, particularly Georgia Tech and Emory universities, from January, 1942 to April, 1945.[23][24] Released back to inactive status, Babcock resided in California, where he died in 1955.[25]

See Also

Bibliography

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Clark D. Stearns 		Captain of U.S.S. Truxtun
1906[26][27] – Sep, 1907[28] 		Succeeded by
Charles S. Kerrick
Preceded by
Frederick J. Horne 		Captain of U.S.S. Buffalo
22 May, 1920[29] – Oct, 1921[30] 		Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Hugo W. Osterhaus 		Captain of U.S.S. Richmond
31 Aug, 1929[31] – Jul, 1931[32] 		Succeeded by
?

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Register of Officers, 1902. pp. 42-43.
  2. ↑ Baltimore Sun 6 June, 1901 p. 9.
  3. ↑ Register of Officers, 1904. pp. 44-45.
  4. ↑ Register of Officers, 1907. pp. 34-35.
  5. ↑ Register of Officers, 1908. p. 34.
  6. ↑ Register of Officers, 1911. p. 30.
  7. ↑ Register of Officers, 1914. pp. 28, 249.
  8. ↑ Register of Officers, 1916. p. 22.
  9. ↑ Register of Officers, 1918. p. 20.
  10. ↑ Register of Officers, 1919. pp. 22-23.
  11. ↑ Hall of Valor
  12. ↑ Register of Officers, 1921. pp. 18-19.
  13. ↑ Evening Star (Washington, DC) 15 October, 1921 p. 8.
  14. ↑ Navy Directory 1 November, 1924 pp. 3, 152.
  15. ↑ Navy Directory 1 May 1925 p. 3
  16. ↑ Navy Directory 1 July, 1925 pp. 3, 174.
  17. ↑ Navy Directory 1 July, 1926 pp. 3, 171.
  18. ↑ Register of Officers, 1929. p. 16.
  19. ↑ Register of Officers, 1930. pp. 14-15.
  20. ↑ Register of Officers, 1928. pp. 18-19.
  21. ↑ Register of Officers, 1935. pp. 18-19.
  22. ↑ Register of Officers, 1936. pp. 412-413, 518.
  23. ↑ Atlanta Constitution 4 January,1 942 p. 2.
  24. ↑ Atlanta Constitution 9 April, 1945 p. 2.
  25. ↑ Los Angeles Times 10 March, 1955 p. 37.
  26. ↑ Register of Officers, 1907. p. 34.
  27. ↑ Register of Officers, 1906. p. 22.
  28. ↑ Register of Officers, 1908. p. 34.
  29. ↑ Register of Officers, 1921. pp. 18-19.
  30. ↑ Evening Star (Washington, DC) 15 october, 1921 p. 8.
  31. ↑ Register of Officers, 1930. pp. 14, 15.
  32. ↑ Register of Officers, 1928. pp. 18-19.

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