Richard S. Edwards

Admiral Richard Stanislaus Edwards (18 February 1885 – 2 June 1956) served in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II.

Richard S. Edwards
Born	(1885-02-18)February 18, 1885 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Died	June 2, 1956(1956-06-02) (aged 71) Oakland, California, US
Branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1908-1947
Rank	Admiral
Commands	USS Wood (DD-317) Submarine Squadron 6 Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut USS Colorado (BB-45) Submarines, Patrol Force Submarines, Atlantic Fleet
Battles / wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Navy Cross

Biography

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Edwards was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1903. He was commissioned ensign on 13 September 1908 and through subsequent advancement attained the rank of admiral, to date from 13 April 1945.

During World War I, he served as engineer officer on board the battleship USS Kentucky, then as gunnery officer on board the battleships USS Kansas and USS Arkansas. His commands included the destroyer USS Wood; Submarine Squadron 6; Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut; the battleship USS Colorado; Submarines, Patrol Force; and Submarines, Atlantic Fleet.

During World War II he served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander in Chief, United States Fleet and then Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, all under Ernest J. King, Chief of Naval Operations and Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. For his World War II service, Edwards was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He subsequently served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Commander, Western Sea Frontier, and Commander, Pacific Reserve Fleet. He was transferred to the Navy's retired list on 1 July 1947, concluding a total of 43 years of naval service.

He died at the Naval Hospital, Oakland, California, 2 June 1956.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Admiral Richard S. Edwards:

Submarine Warfare insignia
1st Row	Navy Cross						Navy Distinguished Service Medal
2nd Row	World War I Victory Medal with "Grand Fleet" clasp				American Defense Service Medal with "Fleet" Clasp				American Campaign Medal
3rd Row	European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Service stars				Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one service star				World War II Victory Medal
4th Row	Navy Occupation Service Medal				Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire				Commandeur of the Legion of Honor
5th Row	French Croix de guerre 1939–1945 with Palm				Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta				Grand Cordon of the Order of Yun Hui

Namesake

The Forrest Sherman-class destroyer USS Richard S. Edwards was named for him.

References

•  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.