Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
David
Foote
Sellers
February 4, 1874

–

January 27, 1949

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

David Sellers graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1894. He served in the Spanish-American War, and earned a Navy Cross in WWI. A Rear Admiral, he commanded the Special Service Squadron in Nicargua , and served as Judge Advocate General of the Navy from 1929 to 1931. He was the 30th Superintendent of the Naval Academy from 1934 to 1938, and retired as a Full Admiral in 1933.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    U.S.S. Agamemnon

    Action Date:

    World War I

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain David Foote Sellers, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Agamemnon, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of transporting troops and supplies through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines; as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Wisconsin, in the Atlantic Fleet; and as Commander of the District Forces Afloat, Fifth Naval District.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Division:

    Special Service Squadron (Nicaragua)

    Action Date:

    July 8, 1927 – May 12, 1929
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 120 (December 21, 1929)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral David Foote Sellers, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a position of great responsibility as Commander, Special Service Squadron, from 8 July 1927 to 12 May 1929, during the disturbed conditions in the Republic of Nicaragua. Throughout this time Rear Admiral Sellers handled with great skill and diplomacy the many delicate situations that arose incident to the pacification of Nicaragua prior to the presidential election on 4 November 1928, during the election and subsequent to it. As the Senior Officer present he coordinated the activities of the Marine Brigade on shore, which was a part of his command, with the activities of the Nicaraguan Government, the Guardia Nacional, and the officers of the United States Army on election duty. In the discharge of his duty of protecting lives and property he displayed strength and initiative coupled with wisdom and tempered by kindness and humanity.