Naval History and Heritage Command

Captain Veeder was born on 19 January 1903, at Washington, DC, the son of the late Commodore Ten Eyck D. Veeder, USN and Mrs. Mary (Green) Veeder. He attended Episcopal High School, Alexandria, Virginia and Schadmanns Preparatory School, Washington, DC, before his appointment to the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, from Illinois in 1921.   Graduated and commissioned Ensign on 4 June 1925, he advanced progressively through the various grades to the rank of Captain to date from 20 July 1943.

Following graduation from the Academy in 1925, Captain Veeder had three month’s duty at the Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts, before joining USS Utah in September 1925. He remained aboard that battleship until September 1926, after which he continued sea assignments until June 1932, with consecutive duty in USS Putnam, USS Hale and USS Texas. Returning to the Naval Academy, he served from 1932 to 1935 as an instructor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Physics.

Detached from the Academy staff, Captain Veeder had service aboard USS Edsall until 1937, reporting in December of that year for duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, DC. Duty aboard USS Helena from February 1941 to May 1942, preceded his transfer to USS Long as Commanding Officer, and for service in this command he was awarded the Navy Cross with the following citation:

NAVY CROSS:

“For distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the USS LONG, when on January 28, 1942, his ship, together with the USS JARVIS, participated in a successful engagement with the enemy, causing the sinking of a Japanese submarine.”

Captain Veeder commanded USS McCall from May 1942 to February 1943, after which he assumed Commanded of Destroyer Division THIRTY-EIGHT, with additional duty in command of USS Clarence K. Bronson from June 1943 to January 1944. For service as Commanding Officer of USS McCall and Commander Destroyer Division THIRTY-EIGHT, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the following citation:

BRONZE STAR MEDAL:  (With Combat “V”)

“For meritorious service as Commanding Officer of the USS MCCALLl from 28 May 1942 to 28 February 1943, and as Commander Destroyer Division THIRTY-EIGHT from 23 February 1943, to 6 September 1944, in action against enemy Japanese forces during operations in the Pacific War Area. Participating in the Aleutian and Guadalcanal Campaigns, Captain (then Commander) Veeder rendered valiant assistance in the bombardment of Kiska and in support of the hazardous landings of our troops on Adak and Guadalcanal. Performing convoy and screening duties as Commander Destroyer Division THIRTY-EIGHT, he provided effective fire support for the Hollandia, Wadke, Biak, Admiralty, Sansapor, and Noenfoor Island operations.  By his inspiring leadership, gallant fortitude and unwavering devotion to duty, Captain Veeder contributed materially to the success of our operations in these strategic areas and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Returning to the United States in October 1944, Captain Veeder had instruction at the Military Government School at Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, until December 1944. In January 1945, he was assigned duty as Deputy Commander, Joint Civil Affairs Staging Area and Officer in Charge of Navy Civil Affairs at Monterey, California, and for service in this assignment from January 1945 to November of that year, he received a Letter of Commendation with the authorization to wear the Commendation Ribbon from the Secretary of the Navy.

Following duty as Commander Reserve Fleet Berthing Area, Sixth Naval District, Charleston, South Carolina, he reported in June 1946, as Chief Staff Officer, Destroyer Flotilla ONE, USS Taussig flagship. In January 1947, he was appointed Governor of the Eastern Carolines, and served in that capacity until August 1947, when he reported at the National War College, Washington, DC, for instruction. He was then under orders to report to the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, DC, for duty.

In addition to the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and the Commendation Ribbon, Captain Veeder had the China Service Medal (USS Edsall); the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the American Area Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Captain Veeder died 4 April 1978.