Evening star., 1935-01-26
ADMIRAL CO0NTz
SUCCUMBS AT Il.
Heart Disease Fatal to
Former Chief of Operations
and Fleet Commander.

U. s. n, retired, who in Al years of
active service rose to the two highest
positions open to an officer in the
Navy-chief of naval operations and
commander in chief of the fleet-died
today in Bremerton, WASH, after a
heart attack. according to the Asso-
ciated Press. He was II years old.
All his life Admiral Coontz was an
advocate of a strong and active Navy
and he personally listed among his
outstanding accomplishments his sue
cessful fight in 1922 to prevent reduc-
ton of enlisted personnel below $4,000
after the armaments conference: the
adoption of a definite, written naval
policy, signed by President Harding,
committing the United States to "a
Navy second to none; the definite
formation Of a United States Fleet,
and the strengthening Of the Office
of naval operations.
Headed v. F. w. in 1882.
After his retirement on June II,
1928, Admiral Coontz continued his
activities in behalf Of the Navy and
its personnel, in recognition Of which
he was. In September. 1882, unani-
mously elected commander in chief of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States. In this capacity, he
fought the 1888 reduction Of veter-
ans benefits.
Admiral Coontz was referred To by
former Secretary of the Navy Daniels
as "a man of ability. resource and
Judgment who has the confidence
of the service perhaps as much as
any one in it,"
everything he has ever done in
the Navy has been done splendidly,"
Secretary Daniels said.
For his World War work, Admiral
Coontz received the Distinguished
Service Medal, finished his war serv-
ice as assistant chief OF naval opera
tions in Washington. He was second
in command of the Pacific Fleet when
called to Washington to become chief
of operations in october, 1919.
Headed Fleet on Cruise.
He became commander in chief of
the United States feet July 81, 1928,
serving in this capacity until October
3. 1925. Under his command, in 1925,
the feet made a five and one-half
months cruiJe to Australia and New
Zealand, in line with his belief in
the efficacy of long cruises as a
part of the operating plan Of the
Navy.
Admiral Coontz spent Is of the Al
years of his active service aboard
ship. Born in Hannibal, Mo-, June
IL, 1864, he entered Annapolis in
1881 and then spent six years of his
early naval career in the Alaskan
service. In Alaska, as an ensign. he
captured l25 armed Indians with a
patrol of four Marines by walking
boldly up to them, showing aside the
chiefs shotgun, which had been
leveled at his stomach. and convinc-
ing them it was hopeless to oppose
the United States Navy.
In Sitka on October 81, 1890, he
married Augusta Cohen Of that city.
They had daughter, Bertha. and
two sons, Benton, who died at the
age of 4, and Kenneth, who died at
20, when lieutenant In the Navy.
AS lieutenant in 1898. Admiral
Coontz took part in the capture Of
Guam. Of which he became naval gov
ernor in 1912. He was executive OH
Ger Of the Nebraska during the world
cruise of 1908.
Admiral CoontZ was famous for his
memory. Of which many stories are
told in the naval service, and for his
sense Of humor 1t Is said he knew
by name the first 5000 men with
whom he saw service in the Navy
and could call any of them by name
years later.
He could draw from memory a map
of the world, with every twist of every
shore line and could describe init
mately the coastal characteristics Of
the nations visited by American war
ships.
The admiral was the author of two
books, an autobiography. From the
Mississippi to the Sea-" and True
Anecdotes Of an Admiral"
The heart attack, which resulted in
his death today, was the fourth of
series of recent attacks. He had
been under treatment for more than
two months at the Puget Sound Navy
Yard Hospital. He is survived by his
widow and daughter.
Funeral In Missouri.
Funeral services for Admiral Coontz
will be held at Hannibal, Mo-, under
the auspices Of the Veterans of For
eign Wars, it was announced here by
National Comdr. James E. Van Zandt,
who succeeded the admiral as head of
the organization. He will be buried
beside his son.
"The death of Admiral Coontz,"
Comdr. Van zandt said, marks the
passing of one Of Americas most COL
orful naval heroes, military person.
ality ranking only second to Gen. John
J. Pershing during the World War"