Admiral Henry Henry Braid Wilson USN
(1861-1954)

Henry Braid Wilson was born 23 February 1861 at Camden, New Jersey, and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1881. During the early days of his career he served in Tennessee and Saratoga and on coast survey expeditions to the Bering Sea. During the Spanish-American war Wilson was attached to gunboat Bancroft and was commended for bravery.

In the years that followed he served in many ships, and was Pennsylvania's first commanding officer in 1916. He commanded the Atlantic Fleet's patrol forces during the First World War, and was responsible for the safe convoying of troops and supplies to Europe. For his outstanding service Wilson was awarded both the Navy and War Department Distinguished Service Medals. Following the war, he was Commander-in-Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet and later the Battle Fleet commander.

In 1921 Admiral Wilson took over as Superintendent of the Naval Academy, and in his 4 years at Annapolis
did much to raise its academic standing and improve the quality of education.
Admiral Wilson retired in 1925 after nearly 50 years of service as seaman, leader, and educator.

Admiral Wilson died on 30 January 1954 and was buried with full military honors in Section 5 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Ada Chapman Wilson (2 January 1871-5 Auguwt 1963) is buried with him.


Page created Feb. 25, 2007