John Russell Young Blakely

John Russell Young Blakely
Born	July 17, 1872 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died	March 28, 1942(1942-03-28) (aged 69) Denver, Colorado
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1892–1932
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands	USS Des Moines USS Seattle USS Arizona
Battles / wars	World War I
Awards	Navy Cross

John Russell Young Blakely was a Rear Admiral of the United States Navy.

Biography

Blakely was born on 17 July 1872 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1892.

After serving in various Navy ships and at many shore stations, he took his first command, the protected cruiser USS Des Moines (C-15), in 1914. As captain of this ship, and later the armored cruiser USS Seattle (ACR-11), Blakely rendered important service in transporting and escorting troops and supplies to Europe during the First World War. For his outstanding contribution he was awarded the Navy Cross.

Following the war Blakely served with the Chief of Naval Operations, at the Naval War College, and with the rank of captain he commanded the battleship USS Arizona (BB-39). After a tour as Assistant to the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation in 1925, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and given command of a cruiser division. He also commanded the 15th Naval District and served on the important General Board before poor health forced him to retire 1 June 1932.

Rear Admiral Blakely died 28 March 1942 in Denver, Colorado.

Namesake

USS J.R.Y. Blakely (DE-140) was named in his honor. The ship was launched by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Texas, 7 March 1943; sponsored by Miss Mary Young Blakely, niece of Rear Admiral Blakely; and commissioned 16 August 1943, Comdr. J. H. Forshew in command.

References

•  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.