Thomas Jones Senn
Born(1871-12-21)December 21, 1871
Graniteville, South Carolina
DiedFebruary 11, 1947(1947-02-11) (aged 75)
San Diego, California
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1891 - 1936
Rank Rear admiral
Commands heldNorth Dakota
West Virginia
11th Naval District
12th Naval District
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsNavy Cross
RelationsCapt. E.M. Senn, U.S.N.

Thomas Jones Senn (December 21, 1871 – February 11, 1947) was a decorated United States Navy officer with the rank of rear admiral. He was a recipient of the Navy Cross.

Biography

Thomas Jones Senn was born on December 21, 1871, in the small town of Graniteville, South Carolina. Senn attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated in 1891.[1]

During World War I, Senn served as a captain as assistant chief of the Bureau of Navigation, before his transfer to North Dakota. Senn served with USS North Dakota in the waters of Atlantic and was awarded the Navy Cross for his leadership of that ship.[2]

After the war, Senn was appointed the commander of the Naval Torpedo Station. He was subsequently appointed a commanding officer of the West Virginia from her commissioning on December 1, 1923, to May 5, 1925. He later was promoted to rear admiral and served as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for three years, from 1925 to 1928.[3][4][5]

Senn was commandant of the 11th Naval District from 1930 to 1933[6] and the 12th Naval District in 1935 at the time of the crash of the Macon, a dirigible that was under the command of later West Virginia commanding officer Herbert V. Wiley.[7]

Senn retired from the Navy in 1936 and died on February 11, 1947, at the age of 75 at Naval Hospital in San Diego, California. He was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery together with his wife Percie B. Senn (1874–1950).

Captain Thomas J. Senn was awarded the Navy Cross for action aboard North Dakota during World War I.[8]

Citation: The Navy Cross is awarded to Captain Thomas J. Senn, U.S. Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as commanding officer of the U.S.S. North Dakota, in the Atlantic Fleet.

References

  1. ↑ Annual register of the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md, Volumes 38-52. United States Naval Academy
  2. ↑ "Valor awards for Thomas Jones Senn". militarytimes.com. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Thomas J. Senn, Veteran of the USS West Virginia (BB-48)". usswestvirginia.org. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  4. ↑ "BRIGADIER RANK FOR 18 COLONELS" (PDF). The New York Times. 9 June 1917. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "Vice Chief of Naval Operations - Lists of Commanding Officers and Senior Officials of the US Navy". history.navy.mil. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  6. ↑ "Eleventh Naval District - Lists of Commanding Officers and Senior Officials of the US Navy". history.navy.mil. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  7. ↑ "Dirigible Macon Crash, Feb 1935". www.gendisasters.com. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  8. ↑ "Full Text Citations for Award of the Navy Cross for actions prior to World War I". homeofheroes.com. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
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