Eugene Parks Wilkinson
| Eugene Parks Wilkinson | |
|---|---|
Vice Admiral Eugene Parks Wilkinson
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Dennis |
| Born |
August 10, 1918 Long Beach, California |
| Died | July 11, 2013 (aged 94) Del Mar, California |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1940–1974 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held | USS Nautilus (SSN-571) USS Long Beach (CGN-9) USS Volador (SS-490) USS Sea Robin (SS-407) USS Wahoo (SS-565) Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy Unit Commendation Order of the Sacred Treasure, 2nd Class (Japan) Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award Golden Fleece Award Henry DeWolf Smyth Nuclear Statesman Award |
| Relations | Wife, Janice; Daughter, Marian Lynn; Sons, Dennis, Stephen, and Rodney |
| Other work | Institute of Nuclear Power Operations |
Eugene Parks "Dennis" Wilkinson (August 10, 1918 – July 11, 2013) was a United States Naval officer who was selected for three historic command assignments. The first, in 1954, was as the first Commanding Officer of the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear submarine. The second was in 1961, where Admiral Rickover selected him to serve as the first Commanding Officer of the USS Long Beach, America's first nuclear surface ship. The third was in 1980 when he was chosen as the first President and CEO of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) from which he retired in 1984.
Wilkinson, born in August 1918 in Long Beach, California, the son of Dennis William and Daisy Parks Wilkinson. He attended Holtville, California, High School and San Diego State College. He graduated from the latter in 1938 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in chemistry. He taught chemistry there for a year. He also filled in and taught a course in mathematics. During this year he attended the University of Southern California. The next year he had a teaching fellowship in chemistry at USC. During those two years he completed all of the course work for a doctor’s degree but never did a thesis or received any graduate degree. Commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on 12 December 1940, he was transferred to the regular U.S. Navy on 28 August 1946.
Wilkinson’s commissioned service began in the heavy cruiser USS Louisville (CA-28), in which he had duty in the engineering department until December 1941.
Wilkinson was detached in San Francisco, with orders to the Submarine School, New London, Connecticut, for instruction in submarines. After completing the course in March 1942, he served in the engineering department of the submarine USS R-10 in April and May, after which he was ordered to the submarine USS Blackfish (SS-221). After the commissioning of that boat in July, he served on board for one year, making four war patrols. He had commissary, engineering; and electrical duties. During his time in the crew the submarine participated in the North African operation (Algeria-Morocco landings).
...
Wikipedia