William Harrington Leahy

For others of the same name, see William Leahy.

William Harrington Leahy
Born	(1904-10-27)October 27, 1904 Washington, D.C.
Died	May 12, 1986(1986-05-12) (aged 81) Chevy Chase, Maryland
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1927–1961
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands	Norfolk Navy Yard
Battles / wars	World War II Cold War
Awards	Legion of Merit
Relations	FADM William D. Leahy (father)

William Harrington Leahy (October 27, 1904 – May 12, 1986) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, and the son of William D. Leahy, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's military chief of staff during World War II.

Biography

Leahy was born on October 27, 1904 in San Francisco, California. His father was Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy. Leahy married Elizabeth Marbury Beale on July 23, 1927 and had two children, Louise Harrington (named after her grandmother) and Robert Beale.

After attending Sidwell Friends School he completed his undergraduate study at the United States Naval Academy; he also received a master's degree in naval architecture from MIT and did further work in management at Harvard Business School.

Leahy served as Senior Design Officer, Landing Craft Construction, and later Head of the Landing Craft Section, Bureau of Ships, from November 1942 to October 1945 and received Legion of Merit for his service. As a Rear Admiral, he was Shipyard Commander, Norfolk Navy Yard between 30 June 1958 and 29 June 1960.

Leahy was a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and the Newcomen Society.

He died on May 12, 1986 in Chevy Chase, Maryland and is buried with Elizabeth and his parents at Arlington National Cemetery.

Career

Leahy graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1927. Later in his career he served as commander of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard from 1958 to 1960. He retired from the U.S. Navy on June 1, 1961.