Roy Alexander Gano

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Roy Alexander Gano
December 3, 1902 - January 20, 1971

VADM Roy A. Gano and the Little Beaver Squadron, 1943
Nickname "Red"
Place of birth Pipestone, Minnesota
Place of death Falls Church, Virginia
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1922-1964
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held Military Sea Transportation Service (1959-1964)
Battles/wars World War II
Korean War
Awards Navy Cross
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star

Roy Alexander "Red" Gano (December 3, 1902 – January 20, 1971) was an admiral in the United States Navy who served in World War II and the Korean War.

Contents

[edit] Early life and career, through 1941

A native of Pipestone, Minnesota, Gano attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1926. He returned to the Academy as a postgraduate student in 1934.

He married Harriet Pauline Howard, July 18, 1929.

Gano spent much of his early career at sea. He served first in the battleship USS Tennessee (BB-43), 1926-29, then was assigned to several destroyers: USS John D. Edwards (DD-216), 1929-30; USS Edsall (DD-219), 1930-31; USS MacLeish (DD-220), 1931-32; and as Engineer on board USS Dewey (DD-349), 1934-37.

From 1937-1939, he served as Special Engineer, United States Navy Research Lab, Bellevue, Washington. In 1941, he was assigned as Material Officer and Commander, Destroyer Battle Force.

[edit] World War II and postwar period

Gano spent the first part of the war in sea-going commands. He served as Material Officer and Commander, Task Force 8, Alaska, 1941-42; and Commander of the destroyer USS Dyson (DD-572), 1942-44. For the remainder of the war, 1944-1946, he served as Assistant Director, United States Navy Communications for Administration, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

From 1946-1948, Gano served as Commander, Destroyer Squadron 5, also Destroyer Division 51, Japan-Korea area, 1946-48. He then returned to shore duty as Director of Recruiting, Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1948-50; then as Director, Enlisted Personnel Division, 1950-51.

[edit] Korean War through retirement

He returned to sea in 1951 as Commander of the cruiser USS Saint Paul (CA-73), deployed to Korea, a command he held until 1952. He was then assigned as Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander, Service Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 1952-54; Commander, Service Squadron 3, in the evacuation of refugees from Northern Indochina, 1954;

VADM Roy Alexander Gano
VADM Roy Alexander Gano

In 1954, Gano was promoted to Vice Admiral, and was assigned as Assistant Chief for Logistics, holding that position until 1955. He then served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, Far East and U.N. Commands, 1955-56; Deputy Commander, Military Sea Transportation Service, 1956-58; Commander, Amphibious Group 2, 1958-59; and Commander, Military Sea Transportation Service, 1959-64.

Vice Admiral Gano retired from active duty in 1964 and then served as Vice President of Moore-McCormack Lines, Washington, D.C., 1964-71. He also served as President and Chairman of the Board of United Seamen's Service from 1961 to 1971.

[edit] Awards and honors

During his career, Admiral Gano was awarded the Bronze Star with gold star, the Navy Cross with gold star, Legion of Merit with gold star, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. The Admiral died on January 20, 1971 and was buried with full military honors in Section 5 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Harriet Howard Gano (February 8, 1902-January 31, 1991) is buried with him.

This article contains information from the Naval Historical Center and is in the public domain.

Gravestone of VADM Roy Alexander Gano
Gravestone of VADM Roy Alexander Gano

[edit] External links

[edit] Bibliography

  • McLendon, Winzola (1964). "Admirals Setting Sail for Retirement Day." Washington Post and Times Herald. June 21.
  • (2006). "[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ragano.htm Roy Alexander Gano." Arlington Cemetery. Retrieved September 27, 2007.