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Adapted from "Captain William R. Loomis, United States Navy" [biography, dated 31 August 1965] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
  • Ordnance and Weapons
  • Engineering
Document Type
  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
File Formats
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC-Library

William Ray Loomis

2 October 1919 - 23 June 1993

The following biography is an electronic version of an item held by the Navy Department Library in our Rare Book Room.  Aside from minor technical corrections, this electronic transcription is a faithful reproduction of the original paper item.  Those wishing to see a pdf version of this item can download it here [274KB].

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William Ray Loomis was born in Seattle, Washington, on October 2, 1919, son of Ray Harvey and Hazel Marie (Gunn) Loomis. He attended Wash­ington State College at Pullman. Prior to entering active naval service, he was Supervisor at Southern California Prison, Chino, California. Appointed Ensign in the US Naval Reserve on August 28, 1942, he subse­quently advanced in rank to that of Captain, to date from January 1, 1963, having transferred from the Naval Reserve to the Regular Navy on June 28, 1946.

After receiving his commission in 1942, he had training at various schools until May 1943, when he joined Bombing Squadron STX as Engineering and Gunnery Officer.  As such he saw action in the Gilbert Islands on board USS Enterprise and in the Ryukyus, Wake and Japan on board USS Hancock and is entitled to the Ribbon for, with star (in lieu of a second Ribbon), the Navy Unit Commendation awarded USS Enterprise and USS Hancock.  Following the cessation of hostilities in August 1945, he continued duty with that squadron until October of that year, and the next month became Administrative Assistant to the Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.

In June 1946 he reported as Executive Officer of the USS Burdo and in May 1947 became Executive Officer of USS Gantner. He assumed command of that attack transport in March 1948. Detached a month later, he next served as Flag Lieutenant and Aide to Commander Amphibious Group THREE and from July 1949 to April 1950 was a student at the General Line School, Newport, Rhode Island.  Completing his instruction, he served as Officer in Charge of the Commanding Officer/Executive Officer Tactical Anti-Submarine Warfare Course at the Anti-Submarine Warfare School, San Diego, California until January l952. He then had duty as Flag Secretary, later Assistant Chief of Staff for Administration, to Commander Allied Naval Forces, Southern Europe (redesignated Commander Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe).

He was Executive Officer of USS John W. Thomason from July 1954 to June 1956, and after instruction at the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia, was assigned in July 1956 to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, DC He remained there until May 1959, when he assumed command of USS Parsons. De­tached in July 1961 he had instruction at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, until June 1962, when he reported for duty in connection with military personnel policy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower), Washington, DC In July 1964 he assumed command of USS Gridley (DLG-21), and in May 1965 was designated Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla THREE.

In addition to the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon with star, Captain Loomis has the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three operation stars; American Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal; Asia Clasp; China Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

END

Published: Wed Oct 05 09:16:18 EDT 2022