Wish, James Robert

Date of birth:: January 4th, 1922 (Beloit/Wisconsin, United States)
Date of death:: September 24th, 2008
Nationality:: American

Biography

Servicenumber 282 855 / 1400.
James R. Wish, USN (ret), was born on January 4th, 1922, in Beloit, Wisconsin, and died on September 24, 2008 in Atlantic Beach, Fl. He grew up in Milwaukee, graduating from Boy’s Technical High School as Salutatorian, Class 1939. He won an appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy entering with the wartime class of 1944, which was accelerated to graduate in 1943. During WWII, he made six submarine war patrols in the Pacific and was awarded the Silver Star Medal for “gallantry in action”. After WW II, he was ordered to the Naval Construction and Marine Engineering Course at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in 1949 with a Master of Science. For the remainder of his Naval career, he was deeply involved in the fascinating development of the Submarine, from the utilitarian diesel-powered Fleet Boat of WWII, through the various hull and power plant advances to the ultimate nuclear-powered ballistic- missile sub- marine. In this pursuit, he served on the Submarine desk of the old Bureau of Ships, at various Naval Shipyards and Supervisors of Shipbuilding and as Force Engineer for Commander of Submarines, Pacific. He was selected to be the Navy representative in the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, 1968-69. He retired in 1970, but continued as a Blue and Gold Officer, interviewing prospective Naval Academy candidates. He pursued a second career in Education, earning a Master of Science degree (Curriculum and Instruction) from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee . He taught Calculus, Physics and various science electives at the engineering college, Milwaukee School of Engineering. Thereafter, he and his wife Arlene moved to Florida, eventually settling at Fleet Landing in Atlantic Beach (1991). There he produced over 40 oil paintings and sang Bass in several Barber Shop quartets and choruses.
After the Second World War Robert James Wish also received the National Defence Medal with one star.

Promotions:
9th June 1943: Ensign;
1st September 1963: Captain.

Career:
9th June 1943: Commissioned;
?: U.S.S. Plaice;
?: U.S.S. Puffer;
1st July 1970: Retired.

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