SAN FRANCISCO, California, August 20, 1949 – Rear Admiral Alexander S. Halstead died yesterday in the Oakland Naval Hospital at the age of 88.

A native of Maryland and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, class of 1887, Admiral Halstead retired in 1923 after forty-four years of service.  In recent years he had lived at the Pacific Union Club here.

During the early part of World War I, Admiral Halstead was senior member of the Board of Appraisal of New York.  Later he was named commander of all United States Naval Forces in France and received the Distinguished Service Medal for his work in that post and subsequently in his work in directing the return of 2,000,000 soldiers from France in one year. The French Government awarded to him the Commander of the Legion of Honor.

His last active post was Commandant of the Twelfth Naval District here from 1920 to 1923.

Surviving are a niece, Anne Squire, of Washington, and a brother-in-law, Herbert Simons of Ocala, Florida.  Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

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