Robert Carney

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Robert Carney bigraphy, stories - American admiral

Robert Carney : biography

March 26, 1895 – June 25, 1990

Robert Bostwick Carney (March 26, 1895 – June 25, 1990) was an admiral in the United States Navy who served as commander-in-chief of the NATO forces in Southern Europe (1951–1953) and then as Chief of Naval Operations (1953–1954) during the Eisenhower administration.

Notes

Awards Received by Admiral Carney

Decorations

Here is a ribbon bar of admiral Robert Carney:

number=0|type=award-star|other_device=v|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}} number=0|type=award-star|other_device=v|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}} number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=American Defense Service ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} number=0|type=oak|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
number=9|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} number=2|type=award-star|ribbon=Phliber rib.png|width=106}} number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Order of the British Empire (Military) Ribbon.png|width=106}}
1st Row Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal w/ three gold stars
2nd Row Legion of Merit w/ "V" Device Bronze Star Medal w/ "V" Device World War I Victory Medal w/ Escort Clasp
3rd Row American Defense Service Medal w/ Atlantic Clasp American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
4th Row Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ with one silver and four bronze service stars World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal
5th Row National Defense Service Medal Philippine Liberation Medal w/ two stars Order of British Empire

Early years

Born in Vallejo, California, Carney graduated from the Naval Academy in 1916. He served in World War I, seeing combat against German U-boats.

Between wars

Carney served as Flag Secretary to Admiral Louis R. de Steiguer during the mid-1920s during de Steiguer’s time in command of various battleship forces. Their relationship was not happy, mainly due to de Steiguer imperious manner described by Carney as "constant pressure, irascibility, criticism, and unpleasantness". Famously, Carney eventually marched into de Steiguer’s cabin, snapped, "Admiral, I just want to tell you I think you are a goddamn rotten son of a bitch," and stormed out. After failing to retrieve Carney via Marine orderly, de Steiguer visited Carney’s cabin in person, said, "Sonny, you’ve been working too hard. You and I are going ashore." Carney ultimately concluded that his three years with de Steiguer had been a valuable experience, but not one he would have chosen to repeat.Taussig, Betty Carney (1995), A Warrior for Freedom, Manhattan, Kansas: Sunflower University Press, at 42-43

Legacy

  • USS Carney (DDG-64) was named in his honor.
  • Carney Park was named after Admiral Carney.

Post war

After the war, he was promoted to Vice Admiral in 1946, and until February 1950, served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations. Next he assumed command of the Second Fleet operating on the East Coast of the United States. On October 2, 1950, he was advanced in rank to Admiral.

From 1951 to 1953, Carney served as commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces in Southern Europe, where he was responsible for the fleets of five countries and the armed forces of Italy, Greece and Turkey.