William S. Pye

His awards included the Navy Cross for his distinguished service as a staff officer during World War I. Pye was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 9 June 1880.During the Battle of Midway, Pye received orders for the seven old battleships (Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee), the escort carrier USS Long Island, and eight destroyers of TF 1 to sortie to patrol off of the West Coast against possible Japanese attack there should the carrier forces at Midway be defeated.Such fears proved unfounded, and TF 1 then remained on training and patrol duties between Hawaii and the West Coast until Pye was relieved in October 1942 at the age of 62.He officially retired on 1 July 1944, but was recalled to active duty as President of the War College, and promoted to permanent Vice Admiral.His youngest son, Lieutenant Commander John Briscoe Pye, served on the submarine USS Swordfish on her 13th and final war patrol.Under his able leadership over 600 Naval Officers received advanced training in these streamlined courses and their services were a distinct contribution to the ultimate triumph of our victorious fleet.A large share of the credit for the success of the pre-commissioning program was due to the untiring and careful attention of Vice Admiral Pye in its establishment and during the formative stages of its development.
Grave at Arlington National Cemetery
MinneapolisBethesda, MarylandArlington National CemeteryUnited StatesUnited States NavyVice AdmiralCINCPACPresident of the Naval War CollegeWorld War IWorld War IINavy CrossLegion of MeritWorld War I Victory MedalWorld War II Victory MedalSpanish Campaign MedalAmerican Defense Service MedalMinnesotaUnited States Naval AcademyEnsignFleet AdmiralErnest J. Kingbattleshipsarmored cruiserNaval War CollegedestroyerUSS Jacob JonescommissionAtlantic FleetChief of Naval Operationsexecutive officerPennsylvaniaHonda Point DisasterWashington, D.C.Navy DepartmentminelayerOglalaCaptainNevadarear admiralchief of staffScouting ForceBattle ForcePacific FleetCommander Battleships, Battle Forceattack on Pearl HarborHusband E. Kimmelaircraft carrierUSS SaratogaWake IslandChester W. NimitzBattle of MidwayColoradoMarylandMississippiNew MexicoTennesseeescort carrierUSS Long IslandWest CoastHawaiiNewport, Rhode IslandsubmarineUSS SwordfishKyushuUnited States Pacific FleetEdward C. KalbfusRaymond A. Spruance