Stephen Bleecker Luce
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

Stephen Bleecker Luce was born on 25 March 1827 in Albany, NY.

Luce became a Midshipman in 1841. From 1845-48, he participated in James Biddle's expedition that circumnavigated the globe; and during the Mexican War, he served off California.

At the start of the Civil War, he was assigned to blockade duty on USS Wabash; from 1864-65 he participated in several South Carolina attacks as a Squadron Commander. From 1866-72, he commanded a Squadron; and he served at the Boston Navy Yard until 1875, afterwards returning to Squadron Command.

In 1884 Luce was promoted to Rear Admiral as North Atlantic Squadron Commander, serving until his 1889 retirement. In 1884 he was appointed the first President of the Naval War College, serving until 1886.

After retiring, he served on the Naval Academy's Board of Visitors, was a Naval War College professor, and authored books on nautical topics.

Honors

• Three ships have been named USS Luce.

• There are Luce Halls at the Naval Academy and the Naval War College.

• Luce Auditorium was part of Naval Training Center San Diego.

• The State University of New York Maritime College library is named for him.

Death and Burial

Rear Admiral Stephen Bleecker Luce died on 28 July 1917 in Newport, RI. He is buried at Saint Mary's Episcopal Churchyard in Portsmouth, RI.