Coontz (DLG 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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DURING THE Spanish -American War, he served in the USS PATTERSON. USS CHARLESTON. AND USS BOSTON. SUCCESSIVELY. From December. 1901 UNTIL April. 1 905 he was attached to the USS ADAMS . USS PHILADELPHIA . USS WHEE LING, and THEN had two years inspection duty under the then Bureau ofEquipment. Navy Department, Washington. D.C. In July, 1907, he returned TO sea duty in the USS NEBRASKA as Executive Officer, and in 1908, in the NEBRASKA, MADE THE TRIP with THE FLEET AROUND THE WORLD. WHEN DETACHED IN SEPTEMBER, 1909. HE REPORTED TO THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY FOR DUTY AS COM- MANDANT OF Midshipmen. Returning to the Navy Department, he served on the Board of Inspection and Survey for Ships, and was so serving when named Na- val Governor of Guam and Commandant of the Naval Station. Guam, where he reported in april. 1912. in september. 1913. he returned to the navy depart- ment for assignment. and was ordered to command the uss georgia. battle- ship, and served in that command from december , 1 913 until june . 1915, In July. 1915 he assumed duty as Commandant. Thirteenth Naval District. AND ALSO Commandant, Navy Yard , Puget Sound, Washington, where he served THROUGHOUT THE FIRST WORLD WAR. HE WAS AWARDED 1 , . £ DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL ' For exceptionally meritorious service in a duty OF great responsi - BiLiTY AS Commandant of the Thirteenth Naval District and Commandant of the Bremerton Navy Yard, and also for a time while acting as assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations. ' From January to June, 1919, he commanded Division 7, Atlantjc Fleet, transferring his flag at that time to the USS WYOMING in command of Divi- sion 6, Pacific Fleet. In the rank of Admiral from December, 1919, he served AS Chief of Naval Operations and member of the Joint Board, Navy Depart- ment, UNTIL August 1923. After four years as the ranking officer in the Navy, Admiral Coontz assumed duty as Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet , and under him the Fleet made the cruise to Australia and New Zealand in 1925 for maneuvers . From October, 1925 until relieved of active duty in 1928, he served as Commandant of the Fifth Naval District, Norfolk, Virginia, with additional DUTY AS Commandant of Naval Operating Base, Hampton Roads. In addition to the Distinguished Service Medal, Admiral Coontz had re- ceived the Spanish Campaign Medal, Philippine Campaign Medal, Mexican Ser- vice Medal, and Victory Medal with Atlantic Fleet Clasp. He also received FROM THE Governmentof Francethe award OF Commander of the Legion of Honor. A transport, the USS ROBERT E. COONTZ (AP-122) named in his honor, WAS commissioned November 21. 1944. The vessel was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service in 1950 and re-named USNS ALEXAN- DER PATCH.

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ADMIRAL ROBERT EDWARD COONTZ , U. S. NAVY Born in Hannibal, Missouri, June 11, 1864, Admiral Robert Edward coontz, one time commander in chief, u.s. fleet, and chief of naval Operations, died January 26 , 1935 at the Naval Hospital, Puget Sound, Washington . He had retired from the U.S. NavyonJune 11, 1928 after 46 years of active service in the Navy. He was appointed a Naval Cadet from the 12th District of Missouri ON September 28, 1881, graduated in 1885, and two years later was ' commissioned Ensign. His subsequent promotions in rank were as fol- lows: Lieutenant (.junior grade) September 5, 1896; Lieutenant, March 3, 1899; Lieutenant Commander, January 1, 1905; Commander, Jan- uary 7, 1909; Captain, July 1, 1912; Rear Admiral, September 25 , 1919; Admiral (.temporary) from October, 191 9 to October , 1925. He WAS advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List dating from June 21 , 1930.

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This Cruise Book is dedicated to the crew of the COONTZ . May it SERVE IN THE YEARS TO come to renew the strong bond of friendship that only SHIPMATES CAN KNOW H. H. RIES Commanding Officer