Russell Willson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1906. He was the last commander of Battleship Division 1 in peace time prior to the start of World War II. On 26 May 1939, he relieved Rear Admiral Chester Nimitz as ComBatDiv1, and was relieved 23 January 1941 by Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who died on the Division flagship, U.S.S. Arizona (BB-39), in the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was the last commander of Battleship Division 1 in peace time prior to the start of World War II. On February 1, 1941, he became the Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. In January 1942, he became the Chief of Staff to the Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Ernest King and was a principal at several of the wartime conferences between Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. After World War II, he retired as an advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff to become associate editor of World Report.
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Cross
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
September 1 – November 19, 1942
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Russell Willson, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief, United States Fleet from 1 September 1942 to 19 November 1942. During the above periods, by the exercise of his sound judgment, superior professional ability, active imagination and broad vision he performed outstanding service in providing sage council and advice, and with exceptional executive ability and unusual energy, he discharged his duties tactfully and with a consummate success, thereby contributing significantly to the prosecution of the war and reflecting great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
War Department, General Orders No. 4 (1946)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Vice Admiral Russell Willson, United States Navy, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Naval IntelligenceAction Date:
World War I
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Russell Willson, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility in connection with the preparation, handling, and distribution of war codes and for devising a new and very efficient system of such communications during World War I.