Francis S. Low

Francis Stuart Low (August 15, 1894 – January 22, 1964) was a decorated officer of the United States Navy with the rank of four-star Admiral. An expert in submarine warfare, Low is credited with the idea that twin-engined Army bombers could be launched from an aircraft carrier. This idea was later adopted for the planning of the Doolittle Raid.

Francis Stuart Low
Adm. Francis S. Low, USN
Nickname(s)"Frog"
Born(1894-08-15)August 15, 1894
Albany, New York
DiedJanuary 22, 1964(1964-01-22) (aged 69)
Oakland, California
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1915–1956
Rank Admiral
Service number0-9018
Commands heldWestern Sea Frontier
Cruiser Division 16
USS Wichita
USS Paul Jones
USS S-12
Battles/warsVeracruz Expedition
Haitian Campaign
World War I
Yangtze Patrol
World War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Navy Commendation Medal

Low distinguished himself as Chief of Staff, U.S. Tenth Fleet during the U-boat campaign in the Atlantic Ocean and completed his career in 1956 as Commander, Western Sea Frontier, and Commander Pacific Reserve Fleet.[1][2][3]

Early career

Francis S. Low was born on August 15, 1894 in Albany, New York as the son of late Commander William Franklin Low, USN, and Mrs. Anna (Stuart) Low. His family later moved to Newton, Massachusetts and young Francis attended high school there. He subsequently received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in summer of 1911. While at the Academy, Low was active in the swimming team and held record in 220-Yard swimming. He was nicknamed "Frog" by his classmates and graduated with Bachelor's degree in June 1915.[4][2]

Some of his classmates also became distinguished general officers later: Arthur C. Davis, Lynde D. McCormick, Arthur D. Struble, Ralph W. Christie, John L. McCrea, Ralph J. Mitchell, Harvey Overesch, Pedro del Valle, Howard L. Vickery, Richard W. Bates, Henry P. Burnett, Archie F. Howard, DeWitt Peck, Oliver H. Ritchie, James M. Shoemaker, Scott Umsted and Raymond R. Wright.[4]

Low was commissioned ensign at the time of his graduation and attached to the battleship USS Connecticut and later was transferred to the heavy cruiser USS Montana. While aboard that ship, he participated in the Veracruz Expedition and Haitian Campaign.[2][5]

Following his first sea duties, he was then attached to the submarine USS D-3 and began training as submariner at Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut. After six months of training, Low was attached to the USS O-9 under the command of lieutenant j.g. Robert H. English and participated as his deputy in the coastal patrols and protection of the Atlantic coast from U-boats. She departed Newport November 2, 1918 for European waters, but the termination of hostilities brought the submarine back to the United States.[1][2][6][7]

Interwar period

Following the end of the War, Low was appointed commanding officer of USS L-1 and led her during the training cruises off the coast of Hampton Roads, Virginia. He was transferred to the command of USS L-2 at the end of January 1920 and took part in the submarine experiments with torpedo and undersea detection techniques along the Atlantic coast.[2][8][9][10]

Low assumed command of newly commissioned USS S-12 at the end of April 1923 and sailed to Guantanamo, Cuba and then via the Panama Canal to Hawaii. He departed S-12 in summer of 1925 in order to attend the junior course at the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. Following his graduation one year later, Low was appointed an instructor in the Department of Seamanship at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He was then attached to the battleship USS New Mexico and participated in the training exercises in the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.[1][2][11][12][13][14][15]

He was appointed officer in charge of the Recruiters' Training School, Naval Station, Hampton Roads, Virginia in 1929 and served in this capacity until the summer of 1932. Low was then attached to the Staff, Submarine Squadron 5 for a brief period and subsequently assumed command of destroyer USS Paul Jones in June 1932. He commanded that ship during the Yangtze River Patrol and then took part in the patrol along the China coast, while making occasional voyages to and from Manila.[16][1][17]

Low returned to the United States in March 1934 and assumed duty in the Bureau of Navigation, before he was later transferred to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations under Admiral William H. Standley. He returned to the sea in summer of 1937, when he was appointed Commander of Submarine Squadron 13 and held this command the Neutrality Patrol in 1939.[1][2][18][19]

World War II
Low (extereme left) during the surrender of Japanese Forces in Southern Korea: U.S. delegates Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid and Lieutenant General John R. Hodge sign surrender documents, September 9, 1945.
Low (right) with Admirals Nimitz (second from right) and Lockwood during the visit of submarine Nautilus in June 1957.

Low returned to Washington, D.C. in December 1940 and served again in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations under Admiral Harold R. Stark. Following the appointment of Admiral Ernest J. King as new Chief of Naval Operations in March 1942, Low remained in his office and assumed duty as Operations Officer with additional duty as Assistant Chief of Staff for antisubmarine warfare.[2]

Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Low came up with the idea that twin-engined Army bombers could be launched from an aircraft carrier, after observing several at a naval airfield in Norfolk, Virginia, where the runway was painted with the outline of a carrier deck for landing practice. Low sold the idea to Admiral King, who respected Low’s opinion and forwarded it to the chief of the Army Air Forces, General Henry H. Arnold, who supported the plan. The operations later became known as Doolittle Raid, the first air operation to strike the Japanese Home Islands. It demonstrated that the Japanese mainland was vulnerable to American air attack, served as retaliation for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and provided an important boost to American morale.[2][20]

Low remained in this capacity until the beginning of September 1942 and assumed Navy Commendation Medal for his service in Washington. He was subsequently ordered to New York Navy Yard and assumed command of the heavy cruiser, USS Wichita, which was stationed there for repairs. Low led his vessel during the training off the Virginia Capes for the rest of the month, after which she steamed to Casco Bay in Maine for further maneuvers.[2]

Wichita participated in the Naval Battle of Casablanca within the Operation Torch, an Anglo–American invasion of French North Africa, during November 1942 and helped neutralize the primary French defenses, which included coastal guns on El Hank, several submarines, and the incomplete battleship Jean Bart which lay at anchor in the harbor. Wichita was damaged and after series of patrols between Casablanca and Fedhala, she departed for New York for repairs on November 16. Low received Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for his service in North African waters.[21][2]

Low subsequently commanded his vessel to the Pacific theater and participated in the Battle of Rennell Island in January 1943, before he was recalled to Washington, D.C. on March 10, 1943. After brief stint in Washington, D.C., he was promoted to the rank of Rear admiral on April 6, 1943 and appointed Chief of Staff of newly established U.S. Tenth Fleet under his old superior, Admiral Ernest J. King, who delegated the authority to command Tenth Fleet to Low. The Tenth Fleet was established as the result of negotiations between Britain, Canada and the United States in order to intercept U-boat operations against the merchant convoys and other allied vessels. It had no battleships, no carriers, no cruisers, no destroyers. Only desks, plotting boards and laboratories. Its personnel numbered less than 500 all landlubbers and half of them scientists. The radio operators and radio directions finders drew attention of german submarines and although the Tenth Fleet did not sink any enemy submarines, it forwarded the reports of enemy activity to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy.[22]

Admiral Low was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Tenth Fleet and also maintained the liaison with the General Staff of the United States Army, the British Admiralty and the Canadian Naval Headquarters to insure maximum efficiency in combined operations. He coordinated and directed the activities of Allied anti-submarine forces as they systematically tracked down and destroyed German undersea marauders ranging the vast reaches of the Atlantic. Low was also responsible for the protection of Allied shipping in the Eastern, Gulf and Caribbean Sea Frontiers, exercised close control over all convoys under United States cognizance.[23][24]

He remained in this capacity until January 1945, when he was replaced by Rear admiral Allan R. McCann and ordered to the Pacific theater. For his service with Tenth Fleet, Low was decorated with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. He was also appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire.[23]

Upon his arrival to the Pacific, Low assumed command of Cruiser Division 16, consisting of the battlecruisers Alaska and Guam, and directed his force in strikes in support of the landings on Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and in strikes on other islands of the Nansei Shoto and the Japanese home islands of Kyushu and southern Honshu. He was later decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service during that campaigns. He then led his command during the combat operations off the coasts off the Philippines and received Philippine Legion of Honor, rank Commander.[2][23][25][26][27]

Later career

Following the end of War, Low was in charge of the surrender and neutralization of all Japanese Naval installations in Korea until November 1945, when he was appointed Commander, Destroyers Pacific Fleet. Low remained in this capacity until March 1947, when he assumed command of Service Forces, Pacific. He was also promoted to the rank of Vice admiral at that date.[1][2]

Low was ordered to the Navy Department in November 1949 to conduct a special survey of the Navy's anti-submarine program, and in February 1950 was designated Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Logistics. He was responsible for the planning of budget for logistics for all marine forces and its advocating before the congressional committee on appropriations until May 1953, when he became Commander, Western Sea Frontier, and Commander Pacific Reserve Fleet.[1][2]

Upon relieving by Rear admiral John R. Redman, he retired after 41 years of active service on July 1, 1956 and was advanced to the rank of four-star Admiral on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat. Low was decorated with Legion of Honour by France and Order of Merit of the Italian Republic as the token of good will.[28][29]

Retirement

Upon his retirement from the Navy, Low settled in Oakland, California, where he died on January 22, 1964 at Naval Hospital Oakland and is buried there at Mountain View Cemetery. He was survived by his second wife, Alice Regua Filmer Low (1900-1982).[30][31]

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Admiral Francis S. Low:[23]
Submarine Warfare insignia
1st Row Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with Combat "V"
2nd Row Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" Navy Commendation Medal Mexican Service Medal
3rd Row Haitian Campaign Medal World War I Victory Medal with Submarine Clasp Yangtze Service Medal
4th Row American Defense Service Medal with "A" Device American Campaign Medal European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one 3/16 inch service star
5th Row Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two 3/16 inch service stars World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal
6th Row National Defense Service Medal Commander of the Order of the British Empire Legion of Honour, Commander
7th Row Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Grand Officer Commander of the Philippine Legion of Honor Philippine Liberation Medal with one star

See also
Military offices
Preceded by
John L. Hall Jr.		 Commander, Western Sea Frontier
May 1953 - July 1956		 Succeeded by
William M. Callaghan

References
  1. "The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia - Francis S. Low". pwencycl.kgbudge.com. The Pacific War Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  2. "Navy History and Herritage Command - Francis S. Low". history.navy.mil. Navy History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  3. "Admiral Francis S. Low - Allied Warship Commanders of WWII". U-boat.net. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  4. "Lucky Bag - USNA Class of 1915". United States Naval Academy. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  5. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1916. p. 72. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  6. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1917. p. 70. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  7. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1918. p. 66. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  8. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1919. p. 68. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  9. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1920. pp. 50–51. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  10. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1921. pp. 50–51. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  11. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1923. pp. 50–51. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  12. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1924. pp. 58–59. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  13. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1925. p. 56. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  14. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1926. p. 56. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  15. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1927. p. 52. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  16. "Destroyer Photo Index - USS Paul Jones". navy.mil. The Navy Source. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  17. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1930. p. 48. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  18. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1933. p. 50. Archived from the original on 26 July 2016.
  19. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1936. p. 42. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016.
  20. "71st Anniversary of the Doolittle Raid". U.S. Naval Institute. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  21. "Destroyer Photo Index - USS Wichita". navy.mil. The Navy Source. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  22. "'Phantom Fleet' Never Saw Water In World War II - Madera Tribune, Volume 65, Number 67, 1 August 1956". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
  23. "Valor awards for Francis S. Low". valor.militarytimes.com. Militarytimes. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  24. "United States Tenth Fleet: From Anti-submarine Warfare to Cyberspace". United States Tenth Fleet. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  25. Morison, Samuel Eliot (2004). History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Volume 14: Victory in the Pacific, 1945. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp. 21, 307, 310, 355, 385. ISBN 978-1-59114-579-0. Retrieved 19 July 2014. Hereafter referred to as: Morison, Victory in the Pacific
  26. "Admiral Francis S. Low, US Navy 15 August 1894 – 22 January 1964". Naval History & Heritage Command. 2014. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014. Adapted from the biographical sketch for Admiral Francis S. Low, Navy Biographies Branch, 23 July 1956; now part of the Modern Biography Files, Navy Department Library, Naval History & Heritage Command.
  27. "United States Pacific Fleet Organization – 1 May 1945". Naval History & Heritage Command. 2014. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  28. "Adm. Francis Low Ends Navy Career". Madera Tribune, Volume 65, Number 42. cdnc.ucr.edu. 2 July 1956. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
  29. Calloway, James R. (1964). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 88th Congress. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office. p. 20093. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  30. "Find a Grave Memorial - Admiral Francis S. Low". findagrave.com. Find a Grave. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  31. "Francis S. Low, 69, Retired Admiral – Submarine Expert Dies—Frontier Commander". New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
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