Maurice F. Weisner

Maurice Franklin Weisner (November 20, 1917 – October 15, 2006) was a United States Navy four-star admiral who served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) from 1972 to 1973; Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT) from 1973 to 1976; and Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command (CINCPAC) from 1976 to 1979.

Maurice F. Weisner
Admiral Maurice F. Weisner
BornNovember 20, 1917
Knoxville, Tennessee
DiedOctober 15, 2006(2006-10-15) (aged 88)
Pensacola, Florida[1]
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1941-1979
Rank Admiral
Commands heldU.S. Pacific Command
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (4)
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Admiral Weisner graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1941 and served aboard the USS Wasp (CV-7) as a member of the ship's company until it was sunk in September 1942. He then graduated from flight school, becoming a Naval Aviator in 1943 and returning to combat in the Southwest Pacific until June 1945. He was credited with the sinking of a Japanese destroyer escort during that tour. During a career spanning 38 years, he served in six aircraft squadrons, commanding three, and commanded two ships, including the USS Coral Sea, two carrier divisions in the Pacific, and the US 7th Fleet in addition to the service noted above.

He retired in November 1979. In retirement, Admiral Weisner presided as President of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation until 1993[2]

Awards and decorations

Admiral Weisner's awards and decorations include:
Naval Aviator Badge
1st Row Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster Navy Distinguished Service Medal with three gold award stars
2nd Row Army Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with award star
3rd Row Distinguished Flying Cross with award star Air Medal with silver award star Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V
4th Row Navy Unit Commendation with four bronze service stars Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two service stars China Service Medal
5th row American Defense Service Medal with service star American Campaign Medal European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one service star
6th row Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four service stars World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal
7th Row National Defense Service Medal with service star Korean Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
8th Row Vietnam Service Medal with seven service stars Order of National Security Merit, Tong-Il Medal (Republic of Korea) Order of the Cloud and Banner, 2nd Class (Republic of China)
9th row National Order of Vietnam, Commander National Order of Vietnam, Officer National Order of Vietnam, Knight
10th row Vietnam Gallantry Cross with three palms Korea Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
11th row Philippine Liberation Medal United Nations Korea Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal
United States Pacific Command Badge
  • Foreign decorations from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Republic of Vietnam, Philippine Republic, Kingdom of Thailand and the United Nations.
  • As the senior active duty naval aviator, he received the Gray Eagle Award.

Retirement

Weisner retired from the Navy in 1979. He died in 2006 and was buried in Barrancas National Cemetery

See also

He was preceded in death by his son who is listed a MIA in Vietnam During 1969. I know this to be fact since my brother was in the same plane that went down. So they are part of the names listed on the Vietnam Memorial on the same day during that conflict.

The name can be seen on the Wall Website.

References
  1. "Maurice Weisner, 88; Admiral Headed U.S. Pacific Forces in 1970s". Los Angeles Times. October 20, 2006.
  2. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?pid=19609543
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