Ferdinand Louis Reichmuth Vice Admiral Ferdinand Louis Reichmuth ( April 11 , 1881 – August 1978 ) was an officer of the United States Navy who served in World War I and World War II . Biography . Reichmuth was born at Beloit , Kansas , the son of Ferdinand G . C . Reichmuth and Johana Christiane " Clotilde " Graff , a German immigrant from Colleda , Thüringen . He attended Ripon College , Ripon , Wisconsin , before his appointment to the United States Naval Academy from the state of Wisconsin in 1902 . While a midshipman he was a member of the rowing crew . He graduated in February 1906 . Early career . After graduation , Reichmuth was ordered to Asiatic Station , and served consecutively in the battleship and the gunboat until May 1908 . After serving the two years at sea then required by law he was commissioned as ensign in February 1908 . Following brief duty on the store ship , with additional duty at the Naval Station , Guam , he was assigned permanent duty at that Station in June 1908 , and in September of that year became Aide to the Governor of Guam . Detached from that assignment in January 1909 , he rejoined the " Supply " , and in May of the same year was transferred to the armored cruiser , receiving promotion to lieutenant ( j . g . ) on February 13 , and to lieutenant on October 11 , 1911 . He left the " West Virginia " in June 1912 , spending the next two years in the Inspection Department of the Navy Yard at Mare Island , California . World War I . In July 1914 Reichmuth joined the battleship and was serving as gunnery officer when the United States entered World War I in April 1917 . Transferred to the battleship in September 1917 , he served as gunnery officer , as she operated with the Atlantic Fleet . Detached from the " Oklahoma " in March 1918 , he had duty in the Bureau of Ordnance , Navy Department , Washington , D . C . , throughout the war and until December 1920 , when he joined the for service as navigator until detached in July 1921 . Inter - war career . Reichmuth next reported for duty as force gunnery officer and Aide on the Staff of Vice Admiral William R . Shoemaker , USN , Commander , Battleship Force , Pacific Fleet , serving aboard the flagship . He continued in similar duty on the staff of Vice Admiral Shoemaker when he transferred his flag to the as Commander , Battleship Squadron 4 , Pacific Fleet , in October 1921 , redesignated Battleship Divisions , Battle Fleet in December 1922 . Reichmuth was promoted to commander on December 20 , 1921 . He was detached from his assignment in June 1923 , to serve as Inspector of Ordnance in Charge at the Naval Ammunition Depot , Mare Island , California , for the next two years . In July 1925 , Reichmuth reported for instruction at the Naval War College , Newport , Rhode Island , and after completing the senior course in June 1926 he returned to sea in command of the oiler . In May 1927 he was transferred to command of Division 30 , Destroyer Squadrons , Battle Fleet , with additional duty in command of the destroyer , serving in those commands until June 1928 . He then had duty as Aide to the Commandant , Twelfth Naval District , San Francisco , California , in connection with the Naval Reserve Affairs , until May 1931 . Having been promoted to the rank of captain on October 1 , 1930 , he assumed command of the transport , remaining there until April 1933 . From May of that year until March 1936 he served as Recruiting Inspector , Western Division , San Francisco , California . In March 1936 , Reichmuth reported for duty as Chief of Staff and Aide on the staff of Vice Admiral Clarence S . Kempff , USN , Commander Battleships , Battle Force , on his flagship " West Virginia " , continuing in that duty when Admiral Edward C . Kalbfus , USN , hoisted his flag in the " West Virginia " in January 1937 , relieving Rear Admiral Kempff as Commander , Battleships , Battle Force , U . S . Fleet . Detached from that assignment in May 1937 , Reichmuth commanded the from June 1937 until April 1938 . In May of that year he reported for duty as Captain of the Yard , Washington , D . C . , and in July 1938 was assigned additional duty as Assistant Superintendent of the Naval Gun Factory at the Navy Yard , serving in that assignment until June 1940 , achieving flag rank as rear admiral on May 1 , 1940 . On June 20 , 1940 , Reichmuth assumed duty as Commander , Destroyers , Atlantic Squadron , with the destroyer as his flagship . In November of that year he was transferred to duty as Commander , Destroyers , Patrol Force , with the cruiser as flagship , with additional duty later in command of Destroyer Flotillas Nine and Eight . In February 1941 he continued in command when his group was redesignated , Destroyers , Atlantic Fleet and in July of that year was assigned additional duty as Commander , Destroyer Flotillas , 3 , 4 and . 8 . World War II . On December 31 , 1941 he was detached from those commands and designated Commander , Train , Atlantic Fleet , redesignated in February 1942 Commander , Service Force , Atlantic Fleet , with the temporary rank of Vice Admiral . Upon detachment from that command on August 22 , 1942 , he reverted to his permanent rank of Rear Admiral . On September 15 , 1942 , Reichmuth assumed duty as Commandant of the Washington Navy Yard and the Potomac River Naval Command . In November 1945 , in accordance with General Order No . 227 , abolishing the U . S . Navy Yard , Washington , D . C . , he was designated Superintendent , U . S . Naval Gun Factory , Washington , D . C . , with additional duty as Commandant , Potomac River Naval Command . End of career . On January 28 , 1946 , Reichmuth was relieved as Superintendent of the Naval Gun Factory , but continued his duty as Commandant , Potomac River Naval Command . He was ordered released from active duty on March 25 , 1946 , and placed on the Retired List of the Navy , as Rear Admiral . He was promoted to Vice Admiral on the Retired List , effective from May 28 , 1948 . Vice Admiral Reichmuth died in August 1978 in San Francisco , California . Awards . Citation : " For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commandant , Navy Yard , Washington , D . C . , Commandant , Potomac River Naval Command , and Superintendent , United States Naval Gun Factory , September 15 , 1942 to April 10 , 1946 . Displaying foresight and initiative . Rear Admiral Reichmuth organized and administered the large number of Naval Personnel assigned to the Washing - ten Area . As Superintendent of the Naval Gun Factory , he was Instrumental in enlarging the production of his factory , and In training numerous personnel to guide the successful production elsewhere , In addition , he super - vised the design , development and construction of new arid improved guns and mounts , thereby contributing to the creation of a Navy second to none . His sound judgment high professional attainments and unwavering demotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Rear Admiral Reichmuth and the United States Naval Service . "