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Adapted from "Rear Admiral Courtney G. Clegg, Medical Corps, United States Navy, Deceased" [biography, dated 25 August 1961] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
  • Awards and Medals
  • Medicine
Document Type
  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
File Formats
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC-Library

Courtney Gee Clegg

10 June 1902-13 May 1978

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Courtney Gee Clegg was born in Greenville, Texas, on June 10, 1902, son of Edwin B. and Lucia C. (Gee) Clegg. He attended Oakland (California) Technical High School, received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Berkley in 1924, and in 1928 was awarded the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Medical School of that University. He was appointed a Lieutenant (jg) in the Medical Corps of the US Naval on June 30, 1927, and subsequently advanced in rank of Rear Admiral was approved by the President on August 1, 1955, and his nomination confirmed to date from April 1, 1955.

Upon receiving his appointment in the US Navy in 1927, he served his internship at the Naval Hospital, San Diego, California, prior to reporting in September 1928 as Junior Medical Officer on board the USS Tennessee. He was Assistant in Surgical Service at the Naval Hospital, Mare Island, California, between September 1930 and May 1933. Following duty as Camp Medical Officer with Civilian Conservation Corps at Redding, California, he returned to the Naval Hospital, Mare Island, as Assistant in Surgical Service. 

For a year, May 1934-May 1935, he served as Ship’s Medical Officer on board the USS Monocacy, on Yangtze Patrol, after which he had duty as Battalion Medical Officer with the Fourth Regiment, US Marine Corps Expeditionary Force, Shanghai, China. He was assigned as Assistant in Surgical Service at the Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, from August 1936 until September 1939, when he became Chief of Surgical Service at the US Naval Dispensary, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

He had postgraduate training in General Surgery at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, between July and September 1941, followed by duty as Chief of Surgical Service at the Naval Hospital, Charleston, South Carolina, where he was serving when the United States entered World War II, December 8, 1941. In January 1942 he joined the USS Tuscaloosa as Senior Medical Officer. While attached to that cruiser, she participated in two special missions, one to Murmansk, Russia, and the second to Spitzbergen, Norway. Detached from the Tuscaloosa in January 1944, he reported as Executive Officer of the Naval Hospital, Sampson, New York, and in July of that year was assigned as Senior Medical Officer to Cub 17, Long Beach, Long Island, New York.

In March 1945 he joined the staff of Commander Service Force, Seventh Fleet, as Force Surgeon and “For exceptionally meritorious conduct… (in that capacity) in connection with operations against enemy Japanese forces from March 12 to August 15, 1945…” he was awarded the Legion of Merit. The citation continues in part:

“Captain Clegg was in large measure responsible for the efficient operations of 87 shore-based medical units in the Southwest Pacific Area, and for the location and construction of new hospitals in the forward areas, including a large hospital at Samar. Expeditiously sending causalities to rear areas for treatment of evacuation to the United States, he assured there men the finest possible care and contributed materially to maintaining high morals among out fighting forces. In addition, he coordinated plans for disease control and sanitation, reducing malaria and other epidemic diseases to a minimum. By his professional skill, initiative and untiring devotion to duty, (he) aided immeasurably in the success of our forces in this area…”

In January 1946 he was assigned as Chief of Surgical Service at the Naval Hospital, Bremerton, Washington, and in August 1949 transferred in a similar capacity, to the Naval Hospital, Chelsea, Massachusetts. Later he became Executive Officer of that hospital and in September 1951 reported as Commanding Officer of the Naval Hospital, Bremerton, Washington. In October 1953 he assumed command of that Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he served until October 22, 1955. He next had duty as District Medical Officer, First Naval District, Boston, Massachusetts and on May 16, 1958 reported as Fleet Surgeon on the Staff of the Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet. 

On July 1, 1960 he reported as District Medical Officer of the Ninth Naval District, with headquarters at great Lakes, Illinois and in June 1961 he became Commanding Officer of the Naval Hospital, Great Lakes with additional duty as District Medical Officer, Ninth Naval District and Commanding Officer of the US Naval Hospital Corps School, Greek Lakes.

In addition to the Legion of Merit, Rear Admiral Clegg has the American Defense Service Medal with star; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four engagement stars; American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

END

Published: Fri Mar 26 09:52:40 EDT 2021