Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

The Navy Department Library

Tags
Related Content
Sources

Adapted from "Rear Admiral Clyde C. Andrews, United States Navy, Retired" [biography, dated 20 October 1972] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
Document Type
  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
File Formats
Location of Archival Materials

Clyde Cecil Andrews

15 January 1919 -

PDF Version [1.5MB]

Clyde Cecil Andrews was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on January 15, 1919, son of Harry  C. and Leona Pauline (Leger) Andrews. He attended Kansas City (Kansas) Junior College and prior to entering naval service on February 28, 1941 was employed for two years by Proctor and Gamble Soap Company. As an Aviation Cadet, he had flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola,Florida and on September 6, 1941 was commissioned Ensign, US Naval Reserve and designated Naval Aviator. He subsequently advanced in rank to that of Rear Admiral, to date from July 1, 1972, having transferred from the Naval Reserve to the US Navy on June 27,1943.

After receiving his commission in 1941, he joined Fighting Squadron FORTY-ONE, which operated off the USS Ranger and participated in the invasion of North Africa. "For meritorious achievement...in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Bodo, Norway on October 4, 1943..." he was awarded the Air Medal. In February 1944 he was assigned as a Test Pilot at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland and in that assignment was Project Officer on the F7F Night-Fighter, Japanese Zero and German FW- 180 evaluations. He reported in March 1945 as a student, specializing in jet propulsion, at the California Institute of Technology at Pasadena, from which he received the degrees of Master of Science in Aeronautics in 1946 and Aeronautical Engineer in 1947.

From July 1947 to May 1950 be was assigned to the Naval Air Development Center, Johnsville, Pennsylvania and while there was Project Pilot on Aircraft Remote Control Systems. He next served as Test Pilot and Project Officer on the Air-to-Air Missile Project at the Naval Air. Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, California and  in July 1953 reported as Head of the Air-to-Air.  Missile Branch, Guided Missile Division, Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department,Washington, DC. He remained there until July 1957, after which be served as Aircraft Engineering Officer on the Staff of Commander Naval Air Force, US Atlantic Fleet.

In March 1960 he reported Range Development Officer at the Pacific Missile Range, Point Mugu, California and during the year September 1963 to September 1964 was Head of the Astronautics Branch, Development Facilities, Astronautics and Range Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Nagy Department. Following an assignment as Astronautics Programs Officer, Astronautics Programs Office, Bureau of Naval Weapons, Navy Department, he transferred in July 1965, in a similar capacity, to the Research Development, Test and Evaluation Group, Naval Weapons Support Activity, Washington, DC. In May 1966 he became Director of the Astronautics Division, Naval Air Systems Command, Washington, DC.

He joined the Staff of Commander Naval Air Force, US Atlantic Fleet as Assisant Chief of Staff (Material) in July 1966 and in September 1969 returned to the Naval Air Systems Command, where he served as Executive Director of the Logistics/Fleet Support Group. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for contributing to "...significant advances in integrated logistics support techniques, engine life management programs, ground support equipment logistics and in substantial cost reduction action in organic and commercial aircraft rework programs..." during the period October 1969 through January 1971. In July 1972 he reported as Naval Air Systems Command Representative, Atlantic, with headquarters at the Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia.

In addition to the Legion of Merit and the Air Medal, Rear Admiral Andrews has the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal and the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star.

He is a member of Sigma Xi fraternity (graduate school). In 1952 and 1953 he was the Navy's Candidate for the Octave Chanute Award, awarded to a pilot for his outstanding contribution to the aerospace sciences.

END

Published: Wed Sep 19 13:05:55 EDT 2018