Clifton Sprague
| Clifton Albert Frederick Sprague | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | "Ziggy" |
| Born |
January 8, 1896 Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | April 11, 1955 (aged 59) San Diego, California |
| Place of burial | Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1914–1951 |
| Rank |
 Vice Admiral
|
| Commands held | Aircraft Squadron 3 USS Patoka (AO-9) USS Tangier (AV-8) USS Wasp (CV-18) Carrier Division 25 Carrier Division 26 Carrier Division 2 Navy Air Group 1.6 Carrier Division 6 |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Legion of Merit (4) |
Vice Admiral Clifton Albert Frederick ("Ziggy") Sprague (January 8, 1896 – April 11, 1955) was a World War II-era officer in the United States Navy.
Sprague was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and attended the Roxbury Latin School, and the United States Naval Academy in June 1914. There he was given the nickname "Ziggy" (although no relation to Admiral Thomas L. Sprague, the two both attended the Naval Academy, later graduating from the same class). Due to the American involvement in World War I he received his commission as an ensign one year early on June 28, 1917, finishing forty-third out of 199. His wife was the sister of The Great Gatsby author F. Scott Fitzgerald.
His first assignment was on the gunboat Wheeling (PG-14) where he served as Gunnery Officer, Communications Officer, Navigator, and Executive Officer. Wheeling served as a convoy escort in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during the war. While assigned to Wheeling he was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) and lieutenant. After the war in October 1919, Sprague was assigned as the reserve Commanding Officer of the destroyer Manley (DD-74) for two months. Thereafter he was assigned to the new battleship Tennessee (BB-43) and served as 6th Broadside Battery Officer for one year.
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