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First Name: Victor

Last Name: Blue

Birthplace: Richmond County, NC, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Navy (present)

Rating:





Date of Birth: 06 December 1865

Date of Death: 22 January 1928

Rank or Rate: Rear Admiral

Years Served:
Victor Blue

   
Engagements:
•  Spanish-American War (1898)

Biography:

Victor Blue
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

Victor Blue was born on 6 December 1865 in Richmond County, NC. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1887.

Lieutenant Blue was advanced five numbers for intelligence missions in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He served on the USS Suwanee, and attracted general attention in June 1898 by penetrating 72 miles within the Spanish lines in the vicinity of Santiago, Cuba, and determining, for the first time, the presence of the Spanish Fleet in Santiago Harbor. He commanded the USS Alvarado, a captured Spanish gunboat, in the attack upon Manzanillo. He became Flag Lieutenant in the Pacific Squadron and served in the Philippines in 1900-01.

From the ranks of Inspector of Ordnance, held in 1905-07, he was promoted to Commander in 1909 and in 1910 was made Chief of Staff of the Pacific Fleet. A short time later he was transferred to duty on the General Board of the Navy Department. He served as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation (1913-16 and 1919). Under Admiral Beatty he commanded USS Texas (BB-35) in the North Sea during her service with the 6th Battle Squadron. He was promoted to Rear Admiral on 1 April 1919.

Rear Admiral Blue was retired in June 1919, because of a disability received in line of duty.

Medals and Awards

Navy Distinguished Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal

Honors

In 1937, the destroyer USS Blue (DD-387) was named in his honor but it sank in the Pacific during World War II. This was later replaced by the destroyer USS Blue (DD-744), which was jointly named for the Rear Admiral and his son, Lieutenant Commander John Stuart Blue.

Personal

Victor's younger brother, Rupert Blue (30 May 1868 - 12 April 1948), was an American physician and soldier. He was appointed as the fourth Surgeon General of the U.S. and served from 1912 to 1920.

Victor's son, John Stuart Blue was born in New York City on 29 August 1902 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1925. During 1933 he commanded the Presidential yacht USS Sequoia (AG-23) and served as Aide to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Lieutenant Commander Blue was killed in action on 13 November 1942 when Juneau sank during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.

Death and Burial

Rear Admiral Victor Blue died on 22 January 1928. He is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion, SC.



Honoree ID: 2266   Created by: MHOH

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