Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

The Navy Department Library

Tags
Related Content
Sources

Adapted from "Vice Admiral John Esten Whelchel, United States Navy, Retired" [biography, dated 23 November 1949] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

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

John Esten Whelchel

1 April 1898 - 5 November 1973

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 [104KB].

Please note, there is a known issue with paragraph,  or <p></p> tags appearing at the beginning of PDF files, which may cause difficulties with some screen readers.  We are working with our vendor on a fix for this issue. If you are experiencing difficulties, and would like obtain this information in a different format, please email us:  NHHC_library@us.navy.mil.

If you would like to learn more about the modern biographies collection, please visit https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/research-guides/modern-biographical-files-ndl.html

Vice Admiral Whelchel was born on April 1, 1898, at Hogansville, Georgia. He entered the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, on appointment from his native state on August 18, 1916. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June 7, 1919, he progressively advanced in rank to that of Captain, to date from June 18, 1942. His selection to the rank of Rear Admiral was confirmed by the Senate to date from August 7, 1947. On August 1, 1949, he was transferred to the Retired List of the Navy and promoted to Vice Admiral on the basis of combat citations.

Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1919, Vice Admiral Whelchel  was  assigned to duty aboard the cruiser Louisville, and in 1920 he served in the USS Rochester. In May, 1921 he returned to the Naval Academy for temporary duty in connection with coaching football, and had similar duty in the  succeeding  years 1923, 1924, and 1925. His duty at sea over the  same period included service in the USS Macfarland, destroyer, as Executive Officer and Gunnery Officer, the USS Texas as a turret officer, USS Hannibal, as Navigator and Gunnery Officer, and in 1927 he joined the USS Florida, battleship.

In 1929, Vice Admiral  Whelchel was ordered to duty, first as Aide and Flag Secretary to Commander Light Cruiser Division Four, Scouting Fleet, USS Richmond, flagship, and later that year   transferred to duty as Aide and Flag Lieutenant in the USS Trenton, flagship of Commander Light Cruiser Division Two, Scouting Fleet. Early in 1930, he had brief duty in the Bureau of Engineering, Navy Department, Washington, DC, and then reported for a tour of duty as Aide to the Commandant of the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia. After two years he was assigned as Communications Officer of the USS Idaho, and served in that duty for four years and simultaneously as Assistant Gunnery Officer.

Returning to the Navy Department in 1936, Vice Admiral Whelchel  had duty for two  years in the Bureau of Navigation (now Bureau of Naval Personnel), then had command of the USS Mccall, destroyer, until 1940, and transferred to duty as Executive Officer  of the USS Holland until the summer of 1941. At that time he was ordered to return to the Naval Academy, and had duty there in the Executive Department of Ordnance and Gunnery, and as Head of the Department of Physical Training. For his service as Head Football Coach for the three succeeding years, he received a commendatory letter from the Superintendent of the Naval Academy.

In February, 1944 Vice Admiral  Whelchel reported for duty as Chief of Staff to Commander Service Squadron, South Pacific, and after one year he assumed command of the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Gold Star in lieu of the second Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star Medal for his services in these assignments. The citations follow:

LEGION OF MERIT

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct the performance of oustanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff to the Commander Service Squadron - South Pacific Force, from February 3, 1944 to February 1, 1945. During this period, Captain Whelchel displayed professional ability and exercised sound judgment in handling the many problems  of  logistics  and Fleet  service in the area. Through his organizational skill and constant attention to the maintenance of our surface forces and the servicing  of  advanced bases, he contributed materially to the success of offensive operations in the Solomon Islands,  Bismarck Archipelago and Marianas Islands campaigns. His forceful leadership and devotion to duty were in  keeping with the highest traditions of the United States  Naval Service.”

GOLD STAR in lieu of second Legion of Merit (with Combat “V”)

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the USS SAN FRANCISCO during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa from March 25 to April 24, 1945. Under the constant threat of attack by enemy air, surface and submarine forces as well as shore batteries and suicidal small craft, Rear  Admiral (then Captain) Whelchel maintained the fighting efficiency of his ship and, aggressively directing his gun batteries, achieved an excellent record of destruction inflicted upon the enemy. His professional ability, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

BRONZE STAR MEDAL (with Combat “V”)

"For meritorious service as Commanding Officer of the USS SAN FRANCISCO during operations against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima from March 8 to 12, 1945. During this important  operation, Captain Whelchel  maintained his ship at a high level of combat readiness and directed the delivery of an accurate and rapid shore bombardment against stubborn enemy positions. By his leadership and devotion to duty, he contributed "materially to the success of our assault forces and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

When detached from the SAN FRANCISCO in February, 1946, after serving the post-war period in the South China Sea in connection with the China occupation, Vice Admiral Whelchel again served as Chief of Staff to Commander Service Force, Pacific Fleet. In September, 1948 he assumed duty as Commander, Amphibious Group 4, Atlantic Fleet, and served until his retirement became effective on August 1, 1949 after thirty years service in the Navy.

In addition to the Legion of Merit with Gold Star and the Bronze Star Medal, Vice Admiral Whelchel has the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the Victory Medal, Escort Clasp; the China Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic­ Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze stars; the Philippine Liberation Ribbon; the World War II Victory Medal; and  the Navy Occupation Service Medal,  Asia Clasp.

END

Published: Thu Oct 13 11:21:33 EDT 2022