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Holmes, Ephraim Paul

    Date of birth:
    May 14th, 1908 (Downsville/New York, United States)
    Date of death:
    February 23rd, 1997 (Williamsburg/Virginia, United States)
    Buried on:
    United States Naval Academy Cemetery
    Nationality:
    American (1776 - present, Republic)

    Biography

    Ephraim Paul Holmes was born in Downsville, New York on May 14th, 1908 as son to Edward Holmes and Dolly Holmes, born Hathaway.
    He graduated form the United States Naval Academy in 1930. He married to Nancy Jane Sellers from Denver, Colorado on October 11th, 1933. The couple had two children, Diane and Ephraim Paul Jr.

    After his military career and his retirement in 1970 he became supervising manager with the Virginia Port Authority. Ephraim Paul Holmes died in his home at Williamsburg on February 23rd, 1997. He wand his wife are buried together at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery.

    Promotions:
    5th June 1930: Ensign;
    ?: 1st Lieutenant;
    10th December 1945 - 1st January 1948: Temporary Captain;
    22nd July 1948: Captain;
    1st July 1957: Rear Admiral;
    25th February 1963: Vice Admiral;
    ?: Admiral (Four Star).
    17th June 1967: Admiral;

    Career:
    5th June 1930 - January 1931 : U.S.S. Milwaukee (CL-5);
    January 1931 - May 1932: U.S.S. Augusta (CA-31);
    May 1932 - ?: U.S.S. Houston (CA-30), China;
    May 1933 - July 1935: Gunnery Officer U.S.S. Peary (DD-226), Yangtze River Patrol;
    ? - 1930: United States Naval Academy;
    1936: Naval Postgraduate School, Annapolis, Maryland;
    July 1938: Turret officer, fire control and plotting room officer U.S.S. Maryland (BB-46);
    January 1941: Aide and flag lieutenant to Commander Battleships, Battle Force;
    September 1942: Aide and flag secretary to Commander Battleship Division Four;
    1943: U.S.S. Stockham (DD-683), Bethlehem Steel Company in San Francisco, California;
    11th February 1944 - January 1945: Commanding Officer U.S.S. Stockham (DD-683);
    February 1945 - 14th June 1946: Commanding Officer U.S.S. Twining (DD-540);
    ? - July 1947: Officer in charge of general line, applied communications curricula, Naval Postgraduate School, Annapolis, Maryland;
    July 1947: Assistant chief of staff for communications, Staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet;
    July 1950 - June 1951: Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island;
    June 1951: Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia;
    August 1952: Commanding Officer U.S.S. Sanborn (APA-193);
    July 1953: Operations, planning and training officer on the staff of Commander Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet;
    6th October 1955 - 19th October 1956: Commanding Officer U.S.S. Northampton (CA-125);
    1957: Special assistant to the deputy chief of naval operations (plans and policy);
    1959: Commander Cruiser Division Four;
    March 1960: Assistant chief of naval operations (general planning) and director, General Planning Group, Navy Department;
    March 1963: Commander Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet;
    25th January 1964 - 18th July 1964: Commander, First Fleet;
    5th August 1964 - 3rd June 1967: Director of Navy program planning and scientific officer to the Center for Naval Analyses in the office of the chief of naval operations;
    17th June 1967- 30th September 1970: Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT), Commander in Chief, Atlantic Command (CINCLANT), NATO Commander in Chief, Western Atlantic and Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic (SACLANT);
    1st October 1970: Retired.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Received for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during a major engagement with a large enemy Japanese air force between the Philippines and Saipan on June 19, 1944
    Silver Star Medal (SSM)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Received for meritorious service as Stockham's commanding officer during the assault and capture of enemy Japanese-held islands in June and July 1944

    Received with "V" for Valor.
    Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Received for commanding Stockham in operations against enemy Japanese forces from September to November 1944

    Received with "V" for Valor.
    Second BSM received in the form od a golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the first BSM.
    Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)

    Received with "FLEET" clasp.
    American Defence Service Medal
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)

    Received with four campaign stars.
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

    Sources

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