Morton Deyo

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Morton Deyo bigraphy, stories - United States admiral

Morton Deyo : biography

1 July 1887 – 1973

Vice Admiral Morton Lyndholm Deyo (1 July 1887 – 10 November 1973) was an officer in the United States Navy, who was a naval gunfire support task force commander of World War II.

Born on 1 July 1887 in Poughkeepsie, New York, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1911, and served over a career of 38 years. His highest Navy rank in active service was Rear Admiral, attaining Vice Admiral at retirement. He was awarded three medals of personal honor, the Distinguished Service Medal (Navy), and the Legion of Merit with Gold Star.USS Deyo webpage. ship’s history. Viewed 08/08/2011.

Deyo served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. In the Atlantic, he commanded the destroyers which provided the first American escort assistance to allied convoys to England just prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He later commanded naval gunfire support at Utah Beach in the Normandy invasion, Task Force 129 at the Bombardment of Cherbourg, as well as during the invasion of Southern France.

When transferred to the Pacific, Rear Admiral Deyo assumed command of Cruiser Division 13 (CruDiv 13). He commanded gunfire and covering force for the assault and occupation of Battle of Okinawa. During the battle, he was the last naval commander to form a battle line with battleships as they prepared to intercept the Japanese battleship Yamato. At the war’s end, he accepted the surrender of Japanese forces at Sasebo, Kyushu and directed the Allied Occupational of Western Japan.

Namesake

The destroyer USS Deyo (DD-989) was the 27th Spruance class destroyer and the first ship to be named in honor to Vice Admiral Deyo. She was commissioned on March 22, 1980. The DEYO was last home-ported in Norfolk, Va. Stricken from the Navy list on April 6, 2003, she was sunk as a target on August 25, 2005 in the Atlantic.USS Deyo webpage, op.cit.

World War II in the Pacific

Admiral Deyo’s crowning achievement in the Pacific was command of gunfire and covering force for the assault and occupation of Okinawa.USS Deyo webpage, op.cit. It was for service off Okinawa that he was awarded the Navy distinguished service medal.Military Times (Gannet) http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=27309 Military Times Hall of Valor. Morton Lyndholm Deyo. Date of death, 10 Nov 1973. Retired a Navy Vice Admiral. Navy distinguished service medal. 24 Mar to 4 May 1945, Okinawa campaign.

Rear Admiral Deyo took over Cruiser Division 13 (CruDiv 13) from Rear Admiral Laurance T. DuBose. The Division consisted of four light cruisers – USS Biloxi, USS Birmingham, USS Mobile, and USS Santa Fe.

From 24 March to 4 May 1945, TF 54 under the command of Rear Adm. Deyo commanded battleships, cruisers and destroyers in the bombardment of Kerama Retto and southeast coast of Okinawa, Japan.Crossman, op.cit., p.305 Following the war, he directed the landing of occupational forces in Northern Japan.USS Deyo webpage, op.cit.

Early career

Morton Deyo’s last duty station, 1946–1949, was Commandant, First Naval District, Boston. Working out inter-service and inter-department conflicts was a serious goal for the U.S. Navy going into the Cold War. As of September 1945, the qualifications for a district commandant were those of a line officer eligible for command at sea, and the shipyard (specialist) commands were no longer to be held by the same officer. Deyo met the new qualification for District Commandant, and had served at Boston twice before as an instructor and aide to the Commandant during a time of reorganization. Inefficiency from command conflicts were taken under study even before the war ended by the "Farber Committee". The main feature of reform related to the various types of authority over district activities. The Commandant was to have coordinating "military command" over all activities in the district akin to Army districts. The Navy Secretary directed satisfactory relationships.Department of the Navy — Naval Historical Center. , The Navy Department Library webpage, viewed 08/17/2011. With a background of local relationships, technical expertise, leadership and diplomatic skills, Morton Deyo was the man chosen to make it happen. He retired at the end of his tour with a promotion to Vice Admiral. Admiral Deyo died November 10, 1973 in Kittery Point, Maine.http://www.usna.edu/cemetery/PDF%20Files/Section%206/1288A-%20Deyo,%20M.%20L.pdf