John H. Towers
| John Henry Towers | |
|---|---|
Towers in 1943
|
|
| Born |
January 30, 1885 Rome, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | April 30, 1955 (aged 70) Jamaica, New York, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1908–1947 |
| Rank |
 Admiral
|
| Commands held | Pacific Fleet 5th Fleet 2d Carrier Task Force and Task Force 38 USS Langley (CV-1) USS Mugford (DD-105) USS Saratoga (CV-3) |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit NC-4 Medal |
| Relations | Herbert D. Riley (son-in-law) |
| Other work | President, Pacific War Memorial President, Flight Safety Council |
John Henry Towers (January 30, 1885 – April 30, 1955) was a United States Navy admiral and pioneer naval aviator. He made important contributions to the technical and organizational development of naval aviation from its very beginnings, eventually serving as Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics (1939–1942). He commanded carrier task forces during World War II, and retired in December 1947. He and Marc Mitscher were the only early Naval Aviation pioneers to survive the extreme hazards of early flight to remain with naval aviation throughout their careers. He was the first naval aviator to achieve flag rank and was the most senior advocate for naval aviation during a time when the Navy was dominated by battleship admirals. Towers spent his last years supporting aeronautical research and advising the aviation industry.
Towers was born on 30 January 1885 at Rome, Georgia. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in the Class of 1906, and was commissioned ensign in 1908 while serving aboard the battleship USS Kentucky (BB-6). He was later assigned to the battleship USS Michigan (BB-27) before reporting to the Curtiss Flying School in Hammondsport, New York, on June 27, 1911 for aviation training.
Under the tutelage of aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss and Lieutenant Theodore G. Ellyson, Towers qualified as a pilot in August 1911, flying the Navy's first airplane, a Curtiss A-1 seaplane.
Towers next traveled to North Island in San Diego, California where, in conjunction with the Curtiss Flying School, he took part in developing and improving naval aircraft types
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