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Adapted from "Rear Admiral Carl Theodore Vogelgesang, U. S. Navy," [biography, dated 31 May 1949] in Biographies, 20th century collection, Navy Department Library.

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Carl Theodore Vogelgesang

11 January 1869 - 16 February 1927

Vogelgesang, C. T. Capt. USN. (Navy Cross)

Rear Admiral Vogelgesang was born in North Branch, California, 11 January 1869. He died at Naval Hospital, Washington, DC on 16 February 1927. Appointed a naval cadet from California, he was graduated in 1890 and served the two years at sea before being commissioned Ensign on 14 July 1892. He was subsequently promoted as follows: Lieutenant (junior grade) 3 March 1899; Lieutenant, 2 July 1899; Lieutenant Commander, 1 July 1905; Commander, 4 May 1911; Captain, 29 August 1916, and Rear Admiral, 15 October 1922.

After graduation in 1890, Rear Admiral Vogelgesang had consecutive duty in USS Alliance, USS Bancroft, USS Mayflower, USS Kentucky, and was watch and division officer in USS Adams, and USS Mohican until 1895. Following duty in the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, Washington, DC, he returned to sea in 1896 and the next three years served in USS Bancroft and USS Celtic. He was on duty at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, from 1914-1917 when reported for duty as Chief of Staff to the Commander, Asiatic Fleet. For his services in this command he was awarded the Navy Cross with the following citation:

“For exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Chief of Staff to Commander in Chief, US Asiatic Fleet….”

In January 1918, Rear Admiral Vogelgesang became Senior Member of the Naval Commission to Brazil in connection with the Brazilian War College. A year later he assisted in fitting out USS Idaho at the New York Shipbuilding Company, Camden, New Jersey, and served as Commanding Officer of that battleship from her commissioning, 24 March 1919, until July 1920, when he was transferred to duty as Chief of Staff to the Commander, Atlantic Fleet. He served as Commandant, Navy Yard, New York, and Commandant, Third Naval District, New York from July 1921, until November 1922, when he had duty in connection with organizing the US Naval Mission to Brazil. He served as Chief of that Mission from December 1922, until January 1925.

Rear Admiral Vogelgesang was Commander, Battleship Division 2, Scouting Fleet, from April 1925 until June 1926, when he was transferred to duty as Commander, Light Cruiser Division, Scouting Fleet. In December he entered Naval Hospital at Washington, DC, where he died 16 February 1927.

In addition to the Navy Cross, Rear Admiral Vogelgesang had the Spanish Campaign Medal; the Philippine Campaign Medal; the Cuban Pacification Medal; the Mexican Service Medal; and the Victory Medal with Fleet Clasp.

A destroyer (DD-862), the USS Vogelgesang, has been named in his honor.

[END]
Published: Wed Feb 27 15:43:11 EST 2019