Arthur Schuyler Carpender | |
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Nickname | "Chips" |
Born | October 24, 1884 |
Died | January 10, 1960 Washington, D.C. |
(aged 75)
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1908–1946 |
Rank | Vice Admiral |
Battles/wars | World War I *Action of 17 November 1917 World War II *Battle of the Atlantic *Pacific War |
Arthur Schuyler Carpender (October 24, 1884 – January 10, 1960), nicknamed "Chips", was an American vice admiral during World War II commanding US naval forces in the Southwest Pacific.
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A direct descendant of Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven, he was born to John Neilson Carpender and Anna Neilson Kemp on October 24, 1884.
Carpender graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1908. In 1913, Ensign Carpender served aboard the battleship USS Utah (BB-31).[1] During World War I, Lieutenant Carpender commanded the destroyer USS Fanning (DD-37). On November 17, 1917, Fanning and Nicholson (DD-52) sank the German U-boat SM U-58, taking the crew prisoner.[2]
Carpender was Commander, Destroyers Atlantic Fleet from December 1941 to June 1942. He was assigned to General Douglas MacArthur's Southwest Pacific Force on September 11, 1942 succeeding Admiral Herbert F. Leary. Although disagreeing on the deployment of the small naval force, particularly on sending Allied destroyers and submarines to support Australian forces near Buna during the Lilliput Plan, Carpender worked with MacArthur to resolve the severe supply shortages hindering "MacArthur’s Navy" (later reorganized as the US 7th Fleet on February 19, 1943). Observing the capabilities of PT boats during his evacuation from the Philippines, MacArthur encouraged their use, and Carpender effectively made use of the torpedo boats during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea on March 25, 1943. Along with Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey, Carpender would oversee the fleet’s operations during Operation Cartwheel.
Replaced by Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid on 26 November 1943, Carpender commanded the Ninth Naval District from January 3, 1944 until September 2, 1945, during which time the construction of the USS Macabi (SS-375) would be sponsored by Carpender’s wife, before his retirement in 1946.
Carpender would continue to live in retirement with his wife Helena until his death in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C. on January 10, 1960.