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Julius Curtis Townsend

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Julius Curtis Townsend
Townsend as a U.S. Naval Academy midshipman
Born(1881-02-22)February 22, 1881
Athens, Missouri, US
DiedDecember 28, 1939(1939-12-28) (aged 58)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.[1]
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1902–1939
RankRear Admiral
UnitUSS Vermont
Commands4th Naval District
Cruisers, Battle Force
Cruiser Division No. 2
Ships Movement Division
USS Texas
USS Galveston
USS Trinity
NAS Queenstown, Ireland
NAS Whiddy Island, Ireland
Battles / warsWorld War I
AwardsMedal of Honor
Navy Cross

Julius Curtis Townsend (February 22, 1881 – December 28, 1939) was born in Missouri. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1902.[2]

He received the Medal of Honor for actions at the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914.[3][4] He was later awarded the Navy Cross and also served in World War I.[5] He remained in the United States Navy for the rest of his life, ultimately serving as a rear admiral from May 1936 until his death in December 1939.

Biography

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Born in Athens, Missouri, Townsend was raised in nearby Keokuk, Iowa.[6] He entered the U.S. Naval Academy from Iowa on September 8, 1898 and was graduated on May 2, 1902.[7]

By the time of his Medal of Honor action in 1914, Townsend was a lieutenant serving aboard the battleship Vermont. He was promoted to lieutenant commander effective November 26, 1915 and reassigned to the battleship Oklahoma.[8]

During World War I, Townsend commanded Naval Air Station Whiddy Island, Ireland and Naval Air Station Queenstown, Ireland.[9] He received a temporary promotion to commander on July 1, 1918 which was made permanent on July 1, 1919.[10]

From 1919 to 1921, Townsend served as executive officer at the Naval Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island. He then served as executive officer of the battleship Nevada. From 1922 to 1923, Townsend was commanding officer of the replenishment oiler Trinity. He then attended the Naval War College.[11][12]

From 1924 to 1926, Townsend was assigned to the office of naval operations in Washington, D.C.[11] He was promoted to captain effective July 18, 1925.[13] From February 1926 to April 1928, Townsend commanded the protected cruiser Galveston.[14] He then served as captain of the yard at the Philadelphia Navy Yard[11] before commanding the battleship Texas from May 1931 to June 1933.[15] Townsend then returned to the office of naval operations as director of the Ships Movement Division.[11]

Promoted to rear admiral on May 1, 1936,[16] Townsend became commander of Cruiser Division No. 2, Battle Force, United States Fleet. In June 1937, he took command of Cruisers, Battle Force. In August 1938, Townsend returned to Washington, D.C. as a member the General Board.[11] In November 1938, he was given command of the 4th Naval District and the Philadelphia Navy Yard.[16]

Rear Admiral Townsend died at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital on December 28, 1939.[11] He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on January 2, 1940.[17]

Medal of Honor citation

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Grave at Arlington National Cemetery

Rank: Lieutenant, Organization: U.S. Navy, Born: 22 February 1881, Athens, Mo., Accredited to: Missouri, Date of issue: 12/04/1915

Citation:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. Lt. Townsend was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22d and in the final occupation of the city.[18]

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Rank: Captain, Organization: U.S. Navy, Month of issue: 11/1927

Citation:

For distinguished service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Galveston in Nicaraguan waters in the fall of 1926 and the spring of 1927, Nicaragua then being in a state of insurrection. Largely through his good judgment, tact, patience and ability, good order was maintained and disarmament accomplished in districts ashore assigned to his command without friction and without bloodshed.[9] Captain Townsend’s actions at all times were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

See also

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References

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Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. ^ "JULIUS CURTIS TOWNSEND". cmohs.org. Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  2. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients". United States Naval Academy. Archived from the original on 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  3. ^ "Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz)". United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on 2009-03-20. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  4. ^ "Julius Curtis Townsend". United States Naval Academy. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  5. ^ "Julius Curtis Townsend". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  6. ^ Lucky Bag. U.S. Naval Academy. 1902. p. 49. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  7. ^ Register of Alumni: Graduates and Former Naval Cadets and Midshipmen. The United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Inc. 1 July 1956. pp. 171–172. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  8. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. 1 January 1917. pp. 24–25. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  9. ^ a b "Award of Navy Decorations: Navy Cross Awards". Army and Navy Register. Vol. LXXXII, no. 2470. 26 November 1927. p. 509. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  10. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. 1 January 1921. p. 20. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "J.C. Townsend, 58, Rear Admiral, Dies: Commandant of Philadelphia Navy Yard Directed Air Base in Ireland in War". The New York Times. 29 December 1939. p. 15. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  12. ^ Register of Officers 1884–1977. The United States Naval War College. 1977. p. 27. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  13. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. 1 January 1926. pp. 18–19. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  14. ^ "USS Galveston (Cruiser No. 17/PG 31/CL 19)". NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  15. ^ "BB-35 USS Texas". NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  16. ^ a b Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1 July 1939. pp. 16–17. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  17. ^ "Townsend, Julius C". ANCExplorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  18. ^ "Lieutenant Townsend, Julius Curtis". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
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