Frank H. Schofield – Rear Admiral, United States Navy

Admiral Schofield was born in New York in 1869.  He entered the United States Naval Academy and graduated with the class of 1890, receiving his commission as an ensign in the US Navy in 1892.

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While a junior officer, he served onboard the warships USS ENTERPRISE, PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, MARBLEHEAD, PATTERSON, SCINDIA and VERMONT, all within a nine year period!

He served during the Spanish American War as the Executive Officer of the USS HAWK, blockading Cuban ports and captured four Spanish vessels.

In May 1901, he was assigned to the Bureau of Ordinance as the Inspector of Ordinance.

Following this tour, he served on the USS SUPPLY in the Pacific, and then assumed command of the USS PERRY, a destroyer in the Pacific Squadron in 1904.

In 1907, he took command of the USS SUPPLY until 1909. Following that, he served as Commanding Officer of the USS CONCORD in the Asiatic Fleet.

His next tour took him back to the Atlantic as the Executive Officer of the USS NEW HAMPSHIRE until 1911, when he attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

He next became the XO of the USS ARKANSAS, and then commanded the USS ISLA DE LUZON until he once again became the XO of the USS DELAWARE, serving in Mexico from July to October 1914.

Detaching from the DELAWARE, he then commanded the USS CHESTER.  In 1915, he reported to the Chief of Naval Operations, appointed as Senior Member of a board in connection to Submarine Warfare.

He was then ordered to London England in November 1917, serving as Aide in the Planning Section of the Staff of the Commander, US Naval Forces, attached to the USS MELVILLE, flagship.

Here he was awarded the Navy Cross for his participation in developing anti-submarine warfare tactics and assisting the Chief of Naval Operations in the deliberations in Paris, assisting with the development of the Naval Terms of the German Armistice.

For his service in the War, he was awarded the Legion of Honor by France, Knight Commander of the Liberian Humane Order of African Redemption by Liberia and the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George by Britain.

He assumed duties as Commanding Officer of the USS TEXAS in 1919, and then served for three years as a member of the General Board in the Office of the CNO.

In 1924, he was promoted to Rear Admiral, and became Commander Destroyer Squadrons, Battle Fleet, onboard the USS OMAHA.

Following this tour, he again served three years in the War Plans department of the CNO, and then left for a tour as the Naval Member of the American Representation at the Three-Power Conference for the Limitation of Armament at Geneva, Switzerland.

He was then appointed in 1928 by the Honorable Curtis Wilbur (Secretary of the Navy) to form and head a board to obtain oceanographic data, later known as the ‘Schofield Board', which continued it's work for many years, even after his death.

In 1929, he became Commander Battleship Division FOUR, Battle Fleet, with his flag onboard USS NEW MEXICO.  In 1930, he was promoted to full Admiral, becoming Commander in Chief, Pacific Battle Force.

In 1932, he reverted to his permanent rank of Rear Admiral, and served on the General Board until his 64th birthday in 1933, retiring from the Navy after 47 years of service.

He died in 1942, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1963, the guided missile escort USS SCHOFIELD was named in his honor.


SCHOFIELD, FRANK H.
Captain, U.S. Navy
Aide, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Date of Action: World War I

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Frank H. Schofield, Captain, U.S. Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility in the preparation of plans for war in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and in assisting the Chief of Naval Operations in the deliberations in Paris, incident to the drawing up of naval terms of peace with Germany.


SCHOFIELD, CLARA ISABEL W/O FRANK H

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 01/25/1868
  • DATE OF DEATH: 03/13/1958
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 03/17/1958
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 6  SITE 5690 N.H
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  •  WIFE OF FH SCHOFIELD, REAR ADMIRAL, USN

SCHOFIELD, FRANK H

  • RADM USN RET
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
  • DATE OF DEATH: 02/20/1942
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 02/23/1942
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 6  SITE 5690
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

fhschofield-gravesite-photo-october-2007-001 fhschofield-042204

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