Claude Charles Bloch (1878-1967)

Born on July 13, 1878 in Woodbury, Kentucky.

Graduated from Annapolis in 1899 and commissioned in 1901. Served aboard the Newark and the Wheeling during the Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer Rebellion 1900-1901. Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet 1907-1909. Assistant chief of the Bureau of Ordnance 1918-1921, then chief as Rear Admiral 1923-1927.

Commanding Officer of the California 1927-1929. Graduated from Naval War College in 1929. Rear Admiral again in July 1931. Commander of Cruisers, Battle Force 1932-1933. Judge Advocate General of the Navy 1934-1936.

Commander of Battleship Division two June 1936-January 1937. Admiral in January 1937. Commander of Battle Force 1937-1938. Commander in Chief of U.S. Fleet 1938-1940. Commandant of Eleventh Naval District 1940-1942.

Retired in August 1942. Recalled to active duty on the General Board in World War II. Decorations included the Navy Cross.  Died on October 4, 1967.

Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to Captain Claude C. Block, U.S. Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Plattsburg, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies to European ports through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines.

BLOCH, AUGUSTA KENT
DATE OF BIRTH: 08/10/1873
DATE OF DEATH: 04/27/1968
BURIED AT: SECTION 2  SITE 3750
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY