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Willard A. Saunders
Decorated submarine commander / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Willard Arthur Saunders (October 25, 1904 – November 2, 1969) was a highly decorated submarine commander in the United States Navy during World War II and later rear admiral. A graduate of the Naval Academy, he distinguished himself as commanding officer of the submarine Grayback on war patrols in early 1942; he was decorated with the Navy Cross, the United States' second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.[2]
Willard Arthur Saunders | |
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![]() RADM Willard A. Saunders, USN | |
Nickname(s) | "Bill" |
Born | (1904-10-25)October 25, 1904 Escanaba, Michigan |
Died | November 2, 1969(1969-11-02) (aged 65) Bethesda Naval Hospital, Maryland |
Buried | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Years of service | 1927–1957 1962–1964 |
Rank | ![]() |
Commands held | USS S-21 (SS-126) USS S-26 (SS-131) USS S-24 (SS-129) USS S-30 (SS-135) USS Grayback (SS-208) USS Muskallunge Submarine Division 62 Submarine Division 73 Submarine Base Key West Destroyer Squadron 30 USS Mount Olympus USS Pelican (AM-27) |
Battles/wars | Nicaraguan Campaign Yangtze Patrol World War II Korean War |
Awards | Navy Cross Legion of Merit Commendation Medal |
Alma mater | United States Naval Academy |
Spouse(s) | Eleanor Louise Kyle |
Children | CDR Wesley Whitin Saunders [1] |
Saunders remained in the Navy following the war and held several important commands, including command of Submarine Base Key West and Destroyer Squadron 30. He retired in 1957 and was advanced to the rank of rear admiral on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat. However, he was recalled to active duty five years later and served as director of the International Staff of the Inter-American Defense Board from July 1, 1963, to August 31, 1964.[2][3]