On September 25, 1917, Lieutenant Earl W. Spencer, USN, a 29-year-old Naval Aviator, Academy Class of 1910, was ordered to duty in command of Naval Air Station, San Diego. He was instructed to ... establish a permanent Naval Air Station for training purposes.
Even the base's first commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Earl W. Spencer Jr., USN, added a degree of celebrity to North Island. His wife was Wallis Warfield, a prominent socialite who remarried twice, and become the late Duchess of Windsor for whom King Edward of England gave up his throne in 1936.
Alas, Lieutenant Spenser would be eclipsed by his socialite wife, Wallace Warfield Spencer. From the CINC Navy website (link),
Presumably military life (and an alcoholic husband) did not suit Wallis' tastes. Still, she was the "first wife" of Navy aviation on Coronado Island. Remember, "coronado" is crown in Spanish - a foreshadowing of a crown that never came for the Baltimore-born socialite.
Spencer's second (of five) wife, Miriam Maze, remarried Vice Admiral Arthur Radford, who later became the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Radford, like Spencer, graduated from the Naval Academy and received his wings as a Naval Aviator.
Next: Aircraft carriers pull into port.
Next: Aircraft carriers pull into port.
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| USS Langley, the Navy's first aircraft carrier |
I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about Navy ships - have you toured any?
I toured the USS Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier, when it pulled into Pearl Harbor in 2012 (link).
2. Comments are open through Saturday, May 21, 10 pm in Baltimore.
I toured the USS Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier, when it pulled into Pearl Harbor in 2012 (link).
2. Comments are open through Saturday, May 21, 10 pm in Baltimore.
3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 22.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
I've never been on an Navy ship still that was still on active duty. I have toured the Grey Ghost - USS Lexington currently docked in Corpus Christi Bay.
ReplyDeleteI've never toured a Navy ship but my dad was in the Navy when he was a teenager.
ReplyDeleteI've never toured a navy ship I would love to however
ReplyDeleteSounds like these people got around! Haven't been on a Navy ship, but hope to get to the Intrepid Museum one of these days.
ReplyDeleteI toured some when I was a kid, then some in Charleston SC & Honolulu
ReplyDeletenope
ReplyDeleteNo have. It inkt not
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures
Kimh
I toured a Navy ship a long time ago. It was enormous & most impressive.
ReplyDeleteI have never been aboard a navy ship.
ReplyDeleteI have never toured a naval ship but I'd like to!
ReplyDeleteIt was in the summer several years ago, but the US Alabama is docked in Mobile Bay, Alabama and available to tour, along with a submarine and a couple other exhibits. My dad was in the USN during WWII and I have photos of him being soooo tan and thin... Now I KNOW WHY.. there was no air conditioning... it is so HOT !! We toured during July and thank goodness some parts were now air conditioned!!! Thanks to all who are or have served!!
ReplyDeleteYes I did a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteI have toured many. San Diego has quite a few and there are some her in Connecticut at Groton.
ReplyDeleteI toured a couple when I visited DC but it was a long time ago and I don't remember the names.
ReplyDeleteI've toured HMS Belfast which is near Tower Bridge, London. It has to be one of the most fascinating but creepiest things that I've ever done. There was such a peculiar odor on the ship which we all noticed.
ReplyDeleteNo but I like to
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous to be able to tour one of these ships. I myself have not been through one.
ReplyDeleteI have toured the USS Midway and the USS Stennis.
ReplyDeleteInteresting bits of history. Spencer's marriage record wasn't very good. Military life can be hard on a marriage, but 5 wives is still a bit much. and since some remarried military men, the military life was not the problem.
ReplyDeleteI have toured the USS North Carolina Battleship in Wilmingon, NC.
ReplyDeleteI've never visited a Naval Ship but would like to.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post. Very interesting.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I've never visited a Naval Ship but would like to.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post. Very interesting.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com