John Russell Young Blakely
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John Russell Young Blakely was born 17 July 1872 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1892.
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[edit] Navy career
After serving in various Navy ships and at many shore stations, he took his first command, [[USS Des Moines (C-15), in 1914. As captain of this ship, and later USS Seattle (ACR-11), Blakely rendered important service in transporting and escorting troops and supplies to Europe during the First World War.
[edit] Awarded the Navy Cross
For his outstanding contribution he was awarded the Navy Cross.
[edit] Promotion to rear admiral
Following the war Blakely served with the Chief of Naval Operations, at the Naval War College, and with the rank of captain he commanded USS Arizona (BB-39). After a tour as Assistant to the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation in 1925, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and given command of a cruiser division. He also commanded the 15th Naval District and served on the important General Board before poor health forced him to retire 1 June 1932.
Rear Admiral Blakely died 28 March 1942 in Denver, Colorado.
[edit] Namesake
USS J. R. Y. Blakely (DE-140) was named in his honor. The ship was launched by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Texas, 7 March 1943; sponsored by Miss Mary Young Blakely, niece of Rear Admiral Blakely; and commissioned 16 August 1943, Comdr. J. H. Forshew in command.
[edit] References
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
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