Arthur L. Willard
| Arthur L. Willard | |
|---|---|
Arthur Willard while serving as Captain of the USS New Mexico (1919-1921)
|
|
| Born |
21 February 1870 Kirksville, Missouri |
| Died | 7 April 1935 (aged 65) Washington D.C. |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1891–1935 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held |
USS Hancock (AP-3) (1913–1915) Washington Navy Yard (1917–1919), (1927–1930) USS New Mexico (BB-40) (1919–1921) Scouting Force (1930–1932) Fifth Naval District 1932–1935. |
| Battles/wars |
Spanish–American War World War I |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Legion of Honour(France) Order of Leopold (Belgium) |
Arthur Lee Willard (February 21, 1870 – April 7, 1935) was a U.S. Navy Admiral who served his nation in two wars and was awarded the Navy Cross. He was also awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government and the Order of Leopold by the King of Belgium.
Willard was born in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Anna and Lewis A. Willard, a small-town merchant. After receiving his primary and secondary education in Kirksville schools, he attended the First District Normal School (now known as Truman State University) in Kirksville beginning in 1883. He left the Normal School just months prior to graduation, as he had been accepted to the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1891.
Arthur Willard's long and distinguished naval career very nearly ended before it had chance to begin. In 1888 the U.S. Naval Academy was rocked by a hazing scandal that involved Third Class Cadet Willard. He along with fifteen other cadets were expelled from the academy, however the intercession of Missouri Congressman Willam M. Hatch on his behalf caused President Grover Cleveland to order Willard's reinstatement.
Making the most of his second chance, Ensign Willard gained positive notoriety during the Spanish–American War. While serving on the gunboat USS Machias (PG-5), on May 11, 1898 he led a shore party and in the face of enemy fire planted the U.S. flag on a Spanish blockhouse overlooking Diana Bay near Cardenas, Cuba. For this exploit he received a $100 prize offered by the New York Herald to the first serviceman to raise the American flag on Cuban soil. In addition the Missouri legislature presented Willard with a jeweled officers sword.
Following his Cuban adventure, Willard's career advanced rapidly by the days standards. By 1905 he held the rank of full Lieutenant and was stationed aboard the USS Maine (BB-10) during which time he was a participant in the around-the-world journey of the Great White Fleet. In 1913 Arthur Willard received his first ship command, the USS Hancock (AP-3). It proved to be an exciting one as the Hancock participated in several instances of gunboat diplomacy under his captaincy, including landing US Marines at Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1914.
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