William Fullam

William Freeland Fullam
Born October 20, 1855
Pittsford, New York
Died September 23, 1926 (aged 70)
Washington, D.C.
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 18771919
Rank Rear Admiral
Commands held USS Chesapeake
USS Mississippi
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Navy Cross

Rear Admiral William Freeland Fullam (October 20, 1855 September 23, 1926) was an officer in the United States Navy during World War I.

Biography

Born in Pittsford, New York, Fullam was a member of the United States Naval Academy class of 1877. His commands through his long and distinguished naval career ranged from the sailing ship USS Chesapeake in 1904 to the battleship USS Mississippi in 1909.

During World War I, Rear Admiral Fullam commanded the Reserve Force, Pacific Fleet, and Patrol Force, Pacific Fleet, and was senior officer in command of the Pacific Fleet during the absence of the Fleet's Commander-in-Chief in South Atlantic waters.

The merit of his service in such responsible positions was recognized with the award of the Navy Cross. Chief among his assignments ashore was Superintendent of the Naval Academy in 1914-1915.

In early 1918 Vice Admiral Kantarō Suzuki (who later became the 42nd Prime Minister of Japan from April 7, 1945 to August 17, 1945) brought his two cruisers Asama and Iwate to San Francisco and "banqueted" with Rear Admiral Fullam after receiving harbor entrance by Rear Admiral Fullam.

Rear Admiral Fullam retired on October 8, 1919, and died at Washington, D.C., aged 70.

Legacy

The destroyer USS Fullam (DD-474) was named for him.

To the Marine Corps, he was well-known to be an enemy to the Corps's institution and organization, due to his announcement that he would see that the Marine Corps is to be destroyed. The term Fullamite became a name that has long became registered in many military books denoted someone that refers to non-believers of the Marine Corps philosophy.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to William Fullam.

References

Academic offices
Preceded by
John H. Gibbons
Superintendent of United States Naval Academy
1914-1915
Succeeded by
Edward Walter Eberle