Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1906.
Served in many ships over thirty year career.
Commanded five destroyers, a battleship and three other ships.
Chief of Staff to the commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet in 1931.
Aide to the Secretary of the Navy, 1933-1936.
Became a Rear Admiral in late 1930s.
Commanded a carrier task force with the USS Yorktown in 1942.
Senior officer during the battles of Coral Sea and Midway.
Commanded invasion of Guadalcanal and Tulagi.
Commander, Thirteenth Naval District and Commander, Northwestern Sea Frontier.
In charge of the Northern Pacific area near the end of World War II.