William Carleton Watts William Carleton Watts ( February 18 , 1880 – January 5 , 1956 ) was a rear admiral in the United States Navy , who served in the Spanish – American War , World War I , and World War II . Biography . Early life and career . Watts was born in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , and the youngest son of U . S . diplomat Ethelbert Watts ( 1846 – 1919 ) and his first wife Emily Pepper Watts . He was a direct descendant of Frederick Watts , a brigadier - general in the colonial army during the Revolutionary War . He attended the United States Naval Academy from 1894 to 1898 and graduated at age 18 , ranking second in his class . During the Spanish – American War , which began as his senior year ended , he served on the protected cruiser . He was promoted to ensign in 1900 , and to lieutenant soon thereafter . World War I . Watts served as the first navigator of the battleship in 1914 , and as executive officer of the battleship in 1916 – 17 . With the rank of captain , Watts served as Judge Advocate General of the Navy from January 6 , 1917 , to April 15 , 1918 , and then as the commander of the cruiser . As the flagship of Squadron 6 , Patrol Force , Atlantic Fleet , " Albany " escorted convoys of merchantmen , cargo ships , and troop transports back and forth across the Atlantic . Between July 1917 and the end of the war on 11 November 1918 , she shepherded 11 such convoys safely between the United States and Europe . For this service Watts was awarded the Navy Cross , " for distinguished service in the line of his profession as commanding officer of the " Albany " engaged in the important , exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies to European ports through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines " . Interwar period . In 1919 – 20 Watts was the senior U . S . Naval Officer of the International Force stationed in Vladivostok , Siberia , during the Russian Civil War . The United States landed troops at Vladivostok , possibly to check Japanese pretensions in that area , and to secure the port as an exit for the Czech Legion , then transiting the Trans - Siberian railway . Watts sent armed landing parties ashore on several occasions in support of the troops and to evacuate sick and wounded men . The Americans withdrew in the spring of 1920 , and the " Albany " resumed duty with the Asiatic Fleet . In 1922 Watts served as Chief of the Gunnery Exercises and Engineering Division , Office of Naval Operations , Department of the Navy , then as commander of the light cruiser in 1924 , and as U . S . Naval Attaché in London in 1925 – 27 . Promoted to rear admiral in 1930 he was the Commandant of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1931 – 32 , and in 1931 was appointed to preside over the court martial proceedings against controversial U . S . Marine major general Smedley Butler , who had been accused of circulating false rumors regarding Italian dictator Benito Mussolini . The proceedings were cancelled after an agreed - upon reprimand by the Secretary of the Navy of General Butler , who resigned from the Marine Corps soon thereafter . Watts then served as the Commander of the Mine Force of the United States Pacific Fleet in 1932 – 1934 , Commandant of Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and commander of the Fourth Naval District in 1934 – 1937 , commander of the battleship , and commandant of the Great Lakes Naval Training Station and commander of the Ninth Naval District in 1939 – 1940 . World War II . Although he had retired from active service on December 1 , 1940 , after America ' s entry into World War II Watts was involved in the industrial incentives section of the Navy ' s office of public relations , speaking at ship launchings , and presenting " E " pennants to defense plants in recognition of outstanding war production . Watts retired again , reluctantly , in 1942 due to poor health . Personal life . He was married , on April 16 , 1902 , to Julia Florence Scott . They were the parents of one daughter , Emily Pepper Watts Tracy . He died in Rosemont , Pennsylvania , on January 5 , 1956 . Awards . His navy decorations ( medals ) are as follows :