John Whalen

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Lieutenant John Whalen, (18 April, 1887 – 9 November, 1943) served in the United States Navy.

Life & Career

Whalen was born in Michigan and enlisted in the Navy in approximately 1903. after serving over 12 years as an enlisted man, he was warranted as Boatswain on 27 March, 1916. Following the American entry into World War I, Whalen was one of numerous warrant officers to receive a temporary commission in accordance with the Act of May 22, 1917, being appointed Ensign on 15 August, 1917. While no date can be found for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Whalen was promoted to the temporary rank of Lieutenant on 21 September, 1918. His wartime service included duties on submarine chasers, and command of patrol craft Eagle 2 in late 1918.

Following the war, Whalen continued in commissioned status, including command of armed yacht Sylph, and his rank was made permanent as of 3 August, 1920. He served in a variety of sea and shore assignments throughout the 1920's, including two years in charge of the recruiting station in Providence.[1][2][3]

Whalen was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander on 4 June, 1931.[4] However, his career was in the process of falling apart at the time. In July 1931 he was convicted at court-martial of drunkenness on duty and was sentenced to dismissal, with a recommendation for clemency. Clemency was shown, and Whalen was allowed to retire, in the rank of Lieutenant, on 1 June, 1932 on his own application.[5]

Understandably not recalled to active duty in World War II, Whalen died on 9 November, 1943.

See Also

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Ralph S. Riggs
Captain of U.S.S. Eagle 2
1919[6]
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Joel W. Bunkley
Captain of U.S.S. Sylph
1920[7] – after 1 Jan, 1921
Succeeded by
John Danner

Footnotes

  1. Register of Officers, 1921. pp. 78-79.
  2. Register of Officers, 1922. pp. 66-67.
  3. Register of Officers, 1930. pp. 64-65.
  4. Register of Officers, 1928. p. 66.
  5. Compilation of Court-martial Orders for the Years 1916-1937: 1928-1937 Office of the Judge Advocate General. (Washington, DC: 1941) p. 1644.
  6. NavSource.org
  7. Register of Officers, 1921. pp. 78-79.