US Navy Vice Admiral. Colwell graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1931. After graduation he served on battleships and destroyers for five years including duty on the battleship USS Maryland. He then was given two years training in ordnance engineering. In 1942 he was gunnery officer in Admiral Halsey's South Pacific Force commanding the USS Converse, making forays towards Truk as a part of Admiral Burke's destroyer squadron "Little Beavers." The squadron sank four Japanese destroyers and damaged two others without losing a single vessel. Because of this the squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. He was then assigned to the Naval Proving Ground at Dahlgren followed by assignment as the Executive officer then Commanding Officer of the USS Missouri. Colwell was then appointed to the CinCPacFit staff, in the Bureau of Ordnance. He assisted Admiral Red Raborn during the development of the Polaris missile and was the Commanding Officer of the oiler Elokomin and USS Galveston, the first lightweight guided missile cruiser. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his work with the Polaris guided missile program in the 1950's. As Vice Admiral he commanded the amphibious force of the Pacific Fleet and was deputy chief of naval operations, fleet operations and readiness. In addition to his Distinguised Service Medal he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit. He retired in 1969.
US Navy Vice Admiral. Colwell graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1931. After graduation he served on battleships and destroyers for five years including duty on the battleship USS Maryland. He then was given two years training in ordnance engineering. In 1942 he was gunnery officer in Admiral Halsey's South Pacific Force commanding the USS Converse, making forays towards Truk as a part of Admiral Burke's destroyer squadron "Little Beavers." The squadron sank four Japanese destroyers and damaged two others without losing a single vessel. Because of this the squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. He was then assigned to the Naval Proving Ground at Dahlgren followed by assignment as the Executive officer then Commanding Officer of the USS Missouri. Colwell was then appointed to the CinCPacFit staff, in the Bureau of Ordnance. He assisted Admiral Red Raborn during the development of the Polaris missile and was the Commanding Officer of the oiler Elokomin and USS Galveston, the first lightweight guided missile cruiser. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his work with the Polaris guided missile program in the 1950's. As Vice Admiral he commanded the amphibious force of the Pacific Fleet and was deputy chief of naval operations, fleet operations and readiness. In addition to his Distinguised Service Medal he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit. He retired in 1969.
Bio by: Saratoga
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