Naval History and Heritage Command

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Richard Edwards Rumble was born in San Diego, California, on 26 October 1922, son of Rear Admiral Cyril A. Rumble, USN, Deceased and Mrs. (Eileen A. Loudermilk) Rumble. He enlisted in the US Navy on 1 April 1940 and in 1941 entered the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, on appointment by the Secretary of the Navy. Graduated with the Class of 1945 on 7 June 1944 (accelerated course due to World War II), he was commissioned Ensign and subsequently advanced in rank to that of Rear Admiral, to date from 1 October 1972.

After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1944, he reported on board USS Salt Lake City (CA-25). While on board that cruiser, he participated in the Soerabaja raid; Luzon attacks; bombardments, assault and occupation of Iwo Jima; assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto and the THIRD Fleet operations against Japan.  Detached from  USS Salt Lake City in September 1945, following the cessation of hostilities, he next had flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, and on 5 March 1947 was designated Naval Aviator. In September that year, he joined Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-ONE.

Assigned in July 1950 to the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, he had test pilot training; duty in connection with armament test; was Aide to the Commander Naval Air Test Center and served on the Staff. He remained there until February 1953, and then joined Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE. From September 1954 to March 1956 he was Assistant Air Group Training Officer on the Staff of Commander Naval Air Force, Atlantic Fleet, after which he served as Flight Test Officer in the Office of the Bureau of Aeronautics Representative, North American Aviation, Inc., Columbus, Ohio.

He had instruction at the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia, during the period August 1958 to January 1959, when he reported as Executive Officer of Attack Squadron EIGHTY-ONE and in November 1960 assumed command of that Squadron. In January 1962 he joined USS Independence (CVA-62) and in August 1963 became Commander Carrier Air Group TEN.

He had duty with Joint Task Force TWO, Washington, DC, from September 1964 to January 1965, after which he served as Rating Manager and Program Manager for Aircraft Weapons Systems Personnel Program Management Division, Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Department, Washington, DC. He remained there until July 1966 and the next month reported for instruction at the National War College, Washington, DC. In August 1967 he assumed command of USS Marias (A0-57) and from October 1968 to December 1969 commanded USS America (CVA-66). He next served as Assistant Chief of Staff to Commander Naval Air Force, US Atlantic Fleet until April 1970 when he became Chief of Staff to Commander SECOND Fleet. In November 1972 he reported as Commandant of the First Naval District, with headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional duty as Commander of the Naval Base, Newport,, Rhode Island.

Rear Admiral Rumble has the Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Unit Commendation; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; China Service Medal; Navy Expedition Medal (Cuba); National Defense Service Medal with bronze star; and the Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star. He also has the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

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