Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Adger
Moffett
DNB (1933)
October 31, 1869

–

April 4, 1933

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

William Moffett’s father, George Hall Moffett, enlisted in the Confederate States army as a private, and was promoted for bravery on the field of battle in the Civil War, eventually attaining the rank of adjutant-general, Hadgood’s Brigade, Twenty-fifth South Carolina Volunteers. Moffett graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1890. Rising to Rear Admiral, he became one of the U.S. Navy’s leading figures in the development of air power, and was their “antidote” to the Army Air Force’s William Billy Mitchell. He lost his life on the Akron, Ohio, when an airship, which was then the largest dirigible in the world, went down in a storm off the coast of New Jersey on April 4, 1933. One of his three sons, William Adger Moffett, Jr. was also a Navy admiral.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Chester

    Action Date:

    April 21 – 22, 1914
    War Department, General Orders No. 177 (December 4, 1915)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Commander William Adger Moffett, United States Navy, for distinguished conduct in battle on board the U.S.S. CHESTER during the engagements of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914. Commander Moffett brought his ship into the inner harbor during the nights of the 21st and 22d without the assistance of a pilot or navigational lights, and was in a position on the morning of the 22d to use his guns at a critical time with telling effect. His skill in mooring his ship at night was especially noticeable. He placed her nearest to the enemy and did most of the firing and received most of the hits.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    9th, 10th, & 11th Naval Districts

    Action Date:

    World War I
    Authority: Navy Book of Distinguished Service (Stringer)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Captain William Adger Moffett, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Commandant of the NINTH, TENTH, and ELEVENTH Naval Districts, and Commandant of the Great Lakes Training Station.