William Bernard "Barney" Sieglaff
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

William Bernard Sieglaff was born on 6 July 1908 in Albert Lea, MN.

Sieglaff graduated from the U.S. Navy Academy in 1931. His first sea duty was on the USS Oklahoma, followed by attending Submarine School in London, CT. After graduation he was assigned to the Submarine USS S-37. His next assignment was at Mare Island, CA, for fitting out of the USS Pompano, and served on that ship from the date of commissioning in June of 1937 until May of 1938. He returned to Annapolis for additional training in Engineering and received his Master in Science degree in June of 1941.

He then became Engineering Officer of Submarine Division 62 and was serving at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked by the Japanese on 7 December 1941. He continued duty with Division 62 in the Australian Area when he assumed command of the USS Tautog on 28 November 1942 and had that command until 8 April 1944. He next commanded the Submarine USS Tench from 6 October 1944 until 13 April 1945. Near the end of the war, he served on the staff of Commander Submarine Pacific Fleet as Special Projects Officer Force Engineer.

In 1947 he returned to the U.S. and was assigned to the Navy Department where he served as Placement Officer in the Bureau of Naval Personnel. In July 1949, he assumed command of Submarine Division 81 in the Atlantic and in August 1950, he was designated Commander Submarine Development Group 2, Atlantic. In June 1951, he reported as Officer in Charge of the Submarine School in Groton, CT. In June 1952, he was designated Commander of the Submarine Base and Commander of the New London Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet. He attended the National War College from August 1953 to June 1954 and next served as Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Submarine Pacific Fleet. From September 1955 through October 1957, he commanded the Fleet Oiler USS Allagash and the Cruiser USS Albany.

In 1957, he served in the Navy Department in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He was promoted to Rear Admiral on 1 October 1959, and then served as Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces, Mediterranean, as Deputy Chief of Staff from 1959-60, and from that date until December 1961, he was Commander Cruiser Division Two, Atlantic Fleet. In 1962, he was appointed as Director of Personnel on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and in 1964 he was assigned to his last command as Commandant, First Naval District, Boston, MA.

He retired from active duty in June 1966.

Medals and Awards

Navy Cross (2 Awards)
Silver Star Medal (3 Awards)
Legion of Merit (2 Awards)

Death and Burial

Rear Admiral William Bernard Sieglaff died on 6 August 1995. He is buried at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD.