Joseph Taussig

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Joseph Knefler Taussig (30 August 1877 - 29 October 1947) was a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy. He served in the Spanish-American War, China Relief Expedition, World War I and World War II.

The son of Rear Admiral Edward D. Taussig, Joseph Taussig was born in Dresden, Germany, and entered the United States Naval Academy in 1895. As a midshipman, he served on the flagship New York during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba in the Spanish-American War. Following his graduation, in 1899 he was assigned to Newark and participated in the China Relief Expedition during the Boxer Rebellion. After 2 years as a naval cadet, he was commissioned Ensign 28 January 1901 to begin a series of promotions and distinctions that would underscore his service to the Navy.

In July 1916, after serving in battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and on staffs afloat, he took command of Division 8, Destroyer Force, the first group of American destroyers sent abroad during World War I. After crossing the storm and gale filled Atlantic, Comdr. Taussig was asked by the Commander in Chief of the Coasts of Ireland when he would be ready for sea. Taussig replied in the now famous words; "We are ready now, Sir." He received the Distinguished Service Medal for World War I service. After the war he continued to serve the Navy at home and abroad. In 1922 his ship, Cleveland, rendered assistance to the victims of an earthquake and tidal wave in Chile. He served at the Naval War College, from 1923 to 1926. He also saw duty in the Bureau of Navigation, as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations, and as Commandant, 5th Naval District, in addition to commanding a battleship division and cruiser scouting force. Vice Admiral Taussig retired in 1941, but was recalled to active duty in 1943 to serve in the office of the Secretary of the Navy until 1 June 1947, only a few months before his death.