# Gösta Ehrensvärd

Vice Admiral Count Gösta Carl Albert Ehrensvärd (10 February 1885 – 2 November 1973) was a senior Swedish Navy officer. Ehrensvärd hailed from a distinguished naval lineage, being the son of Admiral Count Carl August Ehrensvärd. His family ties included notable figures such as his brother, General Carl August Ehrensvärd, and his great-grandfather, the renowned fortress builder Augustin Ehrensvärd. Following his naval education, Ehrensvärd embarked on a prolific career within the Swedish Navy, rising through the ranks from sub-lieutenant to vice admiral. He held various commanding roles, such as leading the Destroyer Division and serving as Chief of the Naval Staff. Additionally, Ehrensvärd contributed to naval education and literature, notably as a teacher and editor of naval journals. His tenure saw significant contributions to naval strategy and administration, culminating in his promotion to vice admiral before retiring from active service in 1950.

## Early life

Ehrensvärd was born on 10 February 1885 in Skabersjö [sv], Svedala Municipality, Sweden, the son of Admiral, Count Carl August Ehrensvärd (1858–1944) and his wife baroness Lovisa Ulrika "Ulla" (née Thott). He was the brother of Chief of the Army, General Carl August Ehrensvärd (1892–1974) and Deputy Director of the Ministry of Defence Augustin Ehrensvärd (1887–1968). His great-grandfather was the fortress builder Augustin Ehrensvärd, his uncle was Albert Ehrensvärd and his cousin was Lieutenant General Archibald Douglas who preceded his brother Carl August Ehrensvärd on the Chief of the Army post.

## Career

Ehrensvärd became a sea cadet in 1898 and was commissioned into the Swedish Navy as an acting sub lieutenant in 1904 after passing the naval officer examination. Ehrensvärd was promoted to sub-lieutenant in 1906. Ehrensvärd passed the higher course at the Royal Swedish Naval Staff College from 1910 to 1911 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1913. He was a teacher at the Royal Swedish Naval Academy from 1916 to 1919 and at the Royal Swedish Naval Staff College from 1918 to 1922 when he was promoted to commander. Seagoing services in the 1910s was partly as captain and division commander of torpedo boats.
Ehrensvärd was commanding officer of the Destroyer Division in 1919 and from 1923 to 1924. Ehrensvärd was editor of the journal Tidskrift i sjöväsendet from 1925 to 1927 and then served as head of the Communications Department in the Naval Staff from 1927 to 1929. He captained the HSwMS Oscar II in 1929 and was head of the Operations Department in the Naval Staff from 1929 to 1932 and served as a member of the 1930 Defence Commission from 1930 to 1932, being promoted to captain in 1933. Ehrensvärd was captain of the HSwMS Drottning Victoria from 1932 to 1933 and flag captain in the staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the Coastal Fleet from 1933 to 1936. He was Chief of the Naval Staff from 1937 to 1939 and was promoted to rear admiral in 1938. Ehrensvärd was Commander-in-Chief of the Coastal Fleet from 1939 to 1942 and commanding admiral of the South Coast Navy District from 1942 to 1950 when he was promoted to vice admiral and retired from active service.

## Personal life

On 5 January 1909 he married Anna Enell (1886–1972), the daughter of pharmacist Henrik Enell and Emma (née Öst). He was the father of Gösta (1910–1980), Carl August (1913–1982) and Ulla (1918–1983).

## Death

Ehrensvärd died on 2 November 1973 in Hässleholm. He was interred at Tosterup Cemetery [sv] in Tomelilla Municipality.

## Dates of rank

* 1904 – Acting sub-lieutenant
* 1906 – Sub-lieutenant
* 1913 – Lieutenant
* 1922 – Commander
* 1933 – Captain
* 1938 – Rear admiral
* 1950 – Vice admiral

## Awards and decorations
### Swedish

* King Gustaf V's Jubilee Commemorative Medal (1948)
* Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword (6 June 1946)
* Commander 1st Class of the Order of the Sword (6 June 1939)
* Knight of the Order of the Polar Star (1935)
* Knight of the Order of Vasa (1928)
* Swedish Auxiliary Naval Corps' gold medal (Sjövärnskårens guldmedalj)

### Foreign

* Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav (1 July 1956)
* Commander of the Order of St. Olav with star
* Commander First Class of the Order of the Dannebrog
* Commander First Class of the Crosses of Naval Merit
* Commander of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
* Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta
* Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy
* Knight Third Class of the Order of Saint Stanislaus
* Fourth Class of the Order of the Medjidie
* Danish Medal of Liberation

## Honours

* Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences (1933)
* Member of the Royal Swedish Society of Naval Sciences (1920; honorary member in 1938)