William F. Bringle

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William F. Bringle
1913-
William F. Bringle as a Captain
Place of birth	Covington, Tennessee
Allegiance	U.S. Navy
Years of service	1937-197?
Rank	Admiral
Commands	USS Kitty Hawk United States Naval Forces Europe
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Navy Cross Distinguished Flying Cross

Admiral William F. Bringle, USN, was the first commanding officer of USS Kitty Hawk. During the Vietnam War, he was Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet in 1967-70 as a Vice Admiral, and later, as a four star admiral, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe in 1971-73.

Captain William F. Bringle was born in Covington, Tennessee, on April 23, 1913, son of Mrs. Lota Smith Bringle and William F. Bringle of Covington, Tennessee.

He attended the Byars-Hall High School and Columbia Military Academy before his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Graduating in June 1937, he was commissioned an ensign, and through subsequent advancement attained the rank of captain, July 1, 1955.

During his career, Captain Bringle served in numerous sea and shore assignments. His first was aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) in the gunnery, communications and engineering departments as a junior officer until 1940.

Reporting to the Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training, he was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1940.

In January 1941, he served as senior aviator aboard the USS Milwaukee (CL-5), and he eventually became commanding officer of Cruiser Scouting Squadron TWO, operating on the USS Omaha (CL-4) and the USS Savannah (CL-42).

From September to November 1943, he trained at the Naval Air Station Melbourne and in December, formed the first Observation Fighting Squadron (VOF-1) during World War II. He commanded the squadron throughout the period of hostilities, and was awarded the Navy Cross, "For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy forces during the Allied Invasion of Southern France in August 1944." Captain Bringle also received the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star from the Government of France for his part in the invasion. Reassigned to the Pacific war again, Captain Bringle and squadron embarked in the USS Wake Island (CVE-65) and later the USS Marcus Island (CVE-77).

While under his command, the squadron participated in strikes against enemy held installations in Leyte, Luzon, Iwo Jima, Sakishima Gunto, Nansei Shoto area, Okinawa and many other Pacific islands. His squadron contributed materially to the success of these combat operations in the performance of its primary function of spotting for naval gunfire and close air support of ground forces in repeated bombing and rocket attacks against enemy troops and installations. For his outstanding service during these engagements and others, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with gold stars in lieu of five additional awards of that medal as well as the Air Medal with gold stars in lieu of sixteen additional similar awards.

From October 1945 until October 1946, following the Japanese surrender, he was the air group commander of Carrier Air Group Seventeen, and when detached he returned to the Naval Academy for duty as a battalion officer. He remained there until June 1948.

Returning again to sea, Captain Bringle filled the post of commander, Carrier Air Group One aboard the carriers USS Tarawa (CV-40) and USS Philippine Sea (CV-47).

From 1950 to 1952, he served as a member of the superintendent's staff at the Naval Academy. The next year, as a student, he attended the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island.

Another year and a half of sea duty as executive officer of the USS Hornet (CV-12), 1953-1954, was alternated with 2½ years of shore duty as head of the Operational Intelligence Branch of the chief of naval operations, and as the naval aide to the secretary of the Navy.

In 1957, Captain Bringle assumed command of Heavy Attack Wing Two, operating A3D attack bombers in the Pacific. He served in this command until July 1958, when he was ordered back to the Naval Academy as commandant of midshipmen.

Captain Bringle, in May 1960, received orders designating him as the prospective commanding officer of the Navy's new attack carrier, the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63).