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First Name: Wreford

Last Name: Chapple

Birthplace: Billings, MT, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Navy (present)

Rating:

Middle Name: Goss



Date of Birth: 19 March 1908

Date of Death: 20 May 1991

Rank or Rate: Rear Admiral

Years Served:
Wreford Goss Chapple
'Moon'

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

Wreford Goss "Moon" Chapple
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

Wreford Goss Chapple was born on 19 March 1908 in Billings, MT.

Chapple graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1930. At the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, Chapple was a Lieutenant Commander in the Submarine Service and was the Commanding Officer of Submarine USS 38. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Chapple's command sunk the Japanese Transport Takatiho Maru, one of the first Japanese ships sunk in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

At the Battle of Leyte Gulf, he was the Commanding Officer of the Submarine USS Bream which sunk four Japanese vessels. By February of 1942, Chapple was assigned as Commanding Officer of the Submarine USS Permit SS-178. He served as her Commanding Officer until 4 August 1943. During the year and a half Chapple was Commanding Officer of the Permit, he sank 4 Japanese vessels.

His last assignment was as Commanding Officer of the heavy cruiser USS Pittsburgh. He retired as a Rear Admiral in 1959.

Medals and Awards

Navy Cross (2 Awards)
Silver Star Medal (3 Awards)
Bronze Star Medal

Honors

• Chapple is considered one of the heroes of World War II and his exploits are featured in Naval history books.

• His achievements provided much of the material for the 1950 television series "The Silent Service."

Death and Burial

Rear Admiral Wreford Goss Chapple died on 20 May 1991 in Coronado, CA. He is buried at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD.



Honoree ID: 2331   Created by: MHOH

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