Naval History and Heritage Command

Hugh Rodman graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1882 and retired with the rank of Admiral after forty-three years of distinguished naval service. Rodman commanded the forward guns on the USS Raleigh (Cruiser No. 8) during the battle of Manila Bay in the Spanish American War and was commended by her captain. When the United States entered World War I, Rodman commanded Division Three, Atlantic Fleet and eventually assumed command of Battleship Division Nine with USS New York (Battleship No. 34) as his flagship.  Division Nine became the Sixth Battle Squadron of the British Grand Fleet operating in the North Sea.  Rodman received the Distinguished Service Medal for his service with the British Grand Fleet in World War I.  Rodman next served as Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet for the two years following WWI.  Rodman was transferred to the retired list in January 1923.  In retirement he accompanied President Warren G. Harding on an official trip to Alaska in June 1923. He attended the 1937 coronation of King George VI in England as Representative of the U.S. Navy and was authorized to hoist his flag in the old New York for the King’s Fleet Review.  Admiral Rodman died in Bethesda, Maryland 7 June 1940 and his remains were interred in Arlington National Cemetery. The USS Rodman (DD-456) and USS Admiral Hugh Rodman (AP-126) were named in his honor.

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