Byron McCandless
| Byron McCandless | |
|---|---|
Byron McCandless in 1915
|
|
| Born |
September 5, 1881 Endicott, Nebraska |
| Died | May 30, 1967 (aged 85) Mariposa, California |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1905–1946 |
| Rank | Commodore |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Legion of Merit |
| Relations | Father of Rear Admiral Bruce McCandless, Medal of Honor recipient Grandfather of Bruce McCandless II, NASA astronaut |
Commodore Byron McCandless (September 5, 1881 – May 30, 1967) was a longtime U.S. Navy officer who was awarded the Navy Cross during World War I and the Legion of Merit during World War II. He was also prominent in the field of vexillology (the study of flags), and helped design two separate versions of the Flag of the President of the United States. He was the father of Bruce McCandless, also a naval officer, and the grandfather of NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless II. Commodore McCandless was later promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on the retired list.
Byron McCandless was born in Endicott, Nebraska. His grandfather was David McCanles, who was killed by Wild Bill Hickok in 1861 at the Rock Creek Station, Nebraska shoot-out. His father was Julius McCandless (born 1851), who later moved his family to Florence, Colorado where he operated a hardware store. (Florence had been founded by one of Julius' uncles, James McCandless, and named for one of James' daughters.)
Byron McCandless attended the Colorado School of Mines, and in 1899 played one season as quarterback for the University of Colorado football team. He later went to the United States Naval Academy where he graduated in 1905. He married Velma May Kitson (a daughter of May Kitson) on September 29, 1909. Their son Bruce was born in Washington, D.C. on August 12, 1911. The couple also had a daughter named Velma, born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 4, 1914.
...
Wikipedia