Oscar C. Badger II

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oscar Charles Badger II
June 26, 1890(1890-06-26) – November 30, 1958 (aged 68)

Place of birth Washington, D.C.
Allegiance Flag of the United States United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Admiral
Commands held USS North Carolina
Destroyers, Atlantic Fleet
Service Squadrons, South Pacific
Battleship Division 7
11th Naval District
Eastern Sea Frontier
Naval Forces Western Pacific
Battles/wars Mexican campaign, Vera Cruz
World War I
World War II
Awards Medal of Honor
Navy Cross
Relations Commodore Oscar C. Badger, grandfather
Admiral Charles J. Badger, father

Oscar Charles Badger II (26 June 1890 – 30 November 1958) was an admiral of the United States Navy who served in both World Wars, and, as a junior officer, was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Contents

[edit] History

The grandson of Commodore Oscar C. Badger (1823–1899), son of Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger (1853–1932) and a cousin of Secretary of the Navy George E. Badger (1795–1866), Oscar Badger II was born 26 June 1890, in Washington, D.C.[1] He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1911.[2]

As an ensign in Utah (BB-31), in 1914 he participated in the U.S. occupation of Veracruz. Several thousand American troops landed, in an effort to force out General Victoriano Huerta, who had seized power in Mexico. Fifty-five men were awarded the Medal of Honor for this action, including seven leaders of the battleship's 'bluejacket battalion'. Badger was cited, "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Ens. Badger was in both days' fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage."

Badger served with the destroyer force in European waters during World War I. Following the war, he served as gunnery officer on various ships and had duty with the Bureau of Ordnance. In 1941 he took command of North Carolina (BB-55) and in 1942, after promotion to Rear Admiral, was Commander Destroyers Atlantic Fleet and subsequently Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Logistics Plans. In February 1944 he became Commander Service Squadrons South Pacific and in October Commander Battleship Division 7. Badger was the first Navy officer to step ashore in Japan at the end of World War II.

Following World War II, he commanded the Eleventh Naval District and the Eastern Sea Frontier and was Commander Naval Forces Western Pacific.

Adm. Badger died on 30 November 1958 and was buried in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery.[1]

Officially, USS Badger (FF-1071) was named in honor of all the members of the Badger family who served in the U.S. Navy, but when she was launched in 1968, her sponsor, Isabelle Austen Badger, Adm. Badger's widow, said "I christen thee Oscar Charles Badger II!".[3]

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Admiral Badger received the Medal of Honor for actions in the Mexican-American war 4 December 1915 as an Ensign. The medal was Accredited to: District of Columbia. G.O. No.: 177.

Citation:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Ens. Badger was in both days' fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage.[4]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b "Oscar C. Badger II", Arlington National Cemetery.
  2. ^ Notable Graduates, USNA.
  3. ^ "USS Badger Namesake", USS Badger 1071.org.
  4. ^ "Badger, Oscar Charles", CMH.

[edit] References

  • Badger, Oscar Charles. Medal of Honor Recipients — Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz). U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH). Retrieved on 2007-10-24.