Joseph Francis Farley
Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard
Commandant (1946-1950)

Joseph Francis Farley was born on 22 June 1889 in Oxford, OH, the son of Joseph Francis and Sarah Foot Farley. After attending high schools in Trumansburg and Ithaca, NY, he accepted an appointment to the Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction in 1909, graduating in 1912.

He received a commission to the rank of Third Lieutenant and was assigned to the Cutter "Mohawk" for one year.

Serving on a number of other ships during the pre-World War I period, he was on board the "USCGC Yamacraw" when the U.S. entered into that conflict. The Yamacraw would ultimately spend the war on convoy duty in the Mediterranean Sea.

After the war, he would serve aboard several more vessels until 1925 when he was sent to Coast Guard Headquarters until 1928. After commanding the "USCGD Wilkes" from 1928-30, Farley, now a Commander, was assigned as Ordnance Officer, and later Athletic and Service Store Officer, for the Coast Guard Destroyer Force until 1933.

From 1937 until 1942, he was assigned as Chief Communications Officer at Coast Guard Headquarters. In 1942, he was appointed District Coast Guard Officer of the Eight Naval District in New Orleans, LA. In 1944, now a Rear Admiral, he was returned to the Headquarters and assigned as Chief Personnel Officer.

In January 1946, he was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and appointed as the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, serving until December 1949.

Death and Burial

Admiral Joseph Francis Farley died on 25 November 1974 after a lengthy battle with throat cancer. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.