Walter C. Cowles

Admiral Walter Cleveland Cowles (July 11, 1853 November 27, 1917) was an admiral in the United States Navy. He served as commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and commander in chief of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet.

Walter C. Cowles
Admiral Walter C. Cowles
BornJuly 11, 1853
Farmington, Connecticut
DiedNovember 27, 1917(1917-11-27) (aged 64)
Redlands, California
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1873-1915
Rank Admiral
Commands heldU.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Asiatic Fleet

Biography

Born in Connecticut, Cowles entered the U.S. Naval Academy at the age of sixteen, graduating in 1873. As captain of USS Kentucky (BB-6), he sailed around the world with the Great White Fleet in 1908-1909. He commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet from 1913 to 1914 and the U.S. Asiatic Fleet from 1914 to 1915.

In March 1915, Cowles became one of the first full admirals in the history of the U.S. Navy when the three commanders in chief of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Asiatic Fleets were all advanced to the temporary rank of full admiral while so serving. Upon relinquishing command of the Asiatic Fleet in June 1915, Cowles reverted to his permanent rank of rear admiral.

Cowles retired in August 1915. He died in Redlands, California on November 27, 1917.

Dates of rank

References

  • Page, Walter Hines; Page, Arthur Wilson (August 1915), "The War Chiefs of the Navy", The World's Work: A History of Our Time, Doubleday, Page & Company, 30


Military offices
Preceded by
William Henry Hudson Southerland
Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet
1913January 1914
Succeeded by
Thomas B. Howard
Preceded by
Reginald F. Nicholson
Commander-in-Chief, United States Asiatic Fleet
3 May 19149 July 1915
Succeeded by
Albert G. Winterhalter
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