Harry W . Hill Harry Wilbur Hill ( 7 April 1890 – July 19 , 1971 ) was an admiral in the United States Navy during World War II . Biography . Hill was born in Oakland , California on 7 April 1890 . He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1907 , graduating in June 1911 . Early career . After graduation from the Naval Academy , he served successively in the armored cruiser , torpedo boat tender , and destroyer , with the Pacific Flotilla ; and as Engineer Officer of the protected cruiser . World War I . From January 1917 he served on the battleship , a part of Battleship Division Nine of the British Grand Fleet during World War I . He transferred in September 1918 to the battleship , in which he witnessed the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet upon the cessation of hostilities . 1918 – 1931 . On 23 November 1918 , he reported as Navigator of the battleship , and served in that capacity until January 1919 , when he was assigned duty as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Commander Division Seven , Atlantic Fleet . In July of that year , he transferred to similar duty on the Staff of Commander Division Six , Pacific Fleet . After serving two months at the Naval Academy , in November 1919 he became Aide to the Chief of Naval Operations , where he remained until March 1923 . He assisted in fitting out the , at William Cramp and Sons , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , and upon the commissioning of that cruiser on 23 November 1923 , he joined her as Gunnery Officer . He served three months from June 1925 as Aide to the Commander in Chief , U . S . Fleet , after which he had duty afloat as Gunnery Officer of the light cruiser . He was assigned for two years , June 1926 – 1928 , as Executive Officer of the Receiving Barracks , Hampton Roads , Virginia , then had service from July 1928 to May 1931 , as Gunnery Officer of . He was aboard that battleship in 1929 when she won the Gunnery Trophy and he received a commendatory letter from the Secretary of the Navy . 1931 – 1942 . Returning to the United States , he reported as Battalion Officer in the Executive Department of the Naval Academy , and from June 1933 to 1934 served as Force Gunnery Officer on the staff of Commander Battle Force , U . S . Fleet in the Pacific . Ordered to Bath Iron Works , Commander Hill was in charge of fitting out , then commanded that destroyer from her commissioning , from 4 October 1934 until 17 June 1935 . He was again assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations , and in May 1938 completed the Senior Course at the Naval War College . Between June 1938 and February 1940 he was War Plans Officer on the Staff of the Commander in Chief , U . S . Fleet , after which he had a third tour of duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations , where Captain Hill was attached to the War Plans Division until January 1942 . World War II . Ordered to sea , Hill assumed command of the heavy cruiser , which operated for several months on convoy duty with the British Home Fleet to the North Russia n port of Murmansk . Hill escorted a convoy that was reported on by Douglas Fairbanks , Jr . . In response to 4 July greetings from the British Convoy Commander , " Many happy returns of the day . The United States is the only country with a known birthday " , Hill replied " Thank you . I think England should celebrate Mother ’ s Day . " Detached from command of " Wichita " on 28 September 1942 , he reported as Commander Battleship Division Four , USS " Maryland " , flagship , serving a year in the South Pacific . He was also commander of a task force , which was the first to comprise battleships and escort carrier s . In September 1943 he became Commander Amphibious Group Two , Fifth Amphibious Force , and in that capacity participated in the capture of Tarawa , and later in operations against the Gilberts , Marshalls , Marianas , Iwo Jima , and Okinawa . He relieved the Commander Fifth Amphibious Force at Okinawa in April 1945 , and commanded the amphibious and support operations of that force until that island was secured at the end of June . Post - war . At the close of the war in August 1945 , he commanded the Amphibious Force which landed the Sixth Army in Southwestern Japan for occupation duty . On 1 November 1945 he assumed duty as Commandant Army - Navy Staff College , and in June 1946 Vice Admiral Hill established and served as Commandant of the National War College , the highest - level educational institution of the Armed Forces and the State Department . In September 1949 he reported as Chairman of the General Board , Navy Department , and on 28 April 1950 became Superintendent of the Naval Academy and Commandant , Severn River Naval Command . He continued to serve as such after his retirement on 1 May 1952 , until August 1952 . Admiral Hill continued to serve on active duty from 21 October 1952 until 21 May 1954 as Governor of the Naval Home , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Admiral Harry Wilbur Hill died in Annapolis , Maryland on July 19 , 1971 . Namesake . In 1978 , the destroyer was named in his honor .