Coontz (DLG 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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J - v- ViP«S : UNITED STATES SHIP COONTZ (DLG-9) 1964-1965

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ADM. ROBERT E. COONTZ, USN Born in Hannibal, Missouri, June 11, 1864, Admiral Robert Edward Coontz, one- time Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, and the first Chief of Naval Operations, died January 26, 1935 at the Naval Hospital, Pue;et Sound, Washington. He had retired from the U.S. Navy on June 11, 1928 after 46 years of active service. 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 an Ensign. His subsequent promotions in rank were as fol- lows: Lieutenant (Junior Grade) September 5, 1896; Lieutenant, March 3, 1899; Lieu- tenant Commander January 1, 1905; Com- mander, January 7, 1909; Captain, July 1, 1912; Rear Admiral, September 25, 1919; Admiral (Temporary) from October, 1919 to October, 1925. He was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List dating from June 21, 1930. During the Spanish-American War, he served in U S S PATTERSON, U S S CHARLESTON and USS BOSTON, succes- sively. From 1901 to 1905 he was attached to USS ADAMS, USS PHILADELPHIA, USS WHEELING, and then had two years in- spection duty in the then Bureau of Equip- ment. In 1907 he returned to sea duty as Executive Officer in USS NEBRASKA, and in 1908 made the trip with the Fleet around the world. After duty as Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1909, and later on the Board of Inspection and Survey, he was named Commandant, Naval Station, and Governor of Guam in 1912. He was ordered to command the battleship GEORGIA serving from 1913 to 1915. In 1915 he assumed duty as Com- mandant, Navy Yard, Puget Sound, Washington, and Commandant, Thirteenth Naval District, where he served throughout World War One. During this time he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal ' For exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility. ' After commanding Division 7, Atlantic Fleet in 1919, he transferred his flag to USS WYOMING and command of Division 6, Pacific Fleet. In December, 1919, Admiral Coontz was named Chief of Naval Operations. After four years as the ranking officer in the U.S. Navy, he as- sumed duty as Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet which made an historic cruise to New Zealand and Australia in 1925. Until relieved of active duty in 1928, he served as Commandant, Naval Operat- ing Base, Hampton Roads, Va., and Com- mandant Fifth Naval District. In addition to the DSM, Admiral Coontz had received the Spanish Campaign Medal, Philippine Campaign Medal, Mexican Service Medal, and Victory Medal with Atlantic Fleet Clasp. He also received from the govern- ment of France the award of Commander of the Legion of Honor. The first ship named in his honor, the transport, USS ROBERT E. COONTZ (AP-122) was commissioned November 21, 1944. Transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service in 1950, it was renamed USNS ALEXANDER PATCH.