Background
Gerald Francis Bogan was born July 27, 1894, in Mackinac Island, Michigan to Doctor James H. Bogan (1867-1936) and Katharine Nash-Bogan (1868-1958).
Gerald Francis Bogan was born July 27, 1894, in Mackinac Island, Michigan to Doctor James H. Bogan (1867-1936) and Katharine Nash-Bogan (1868-1958).
He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1916.
He served in World War I in convoy escort duty between the English Channel and Gibraltar. After the war he served on destroyers. In 1925 he trained to be a Naval Aviator.
He was among the first aviators to land on an aircraft carrier.
Post–World World War II
Bogan authored a confidential memorandum that was leaked by Captain John G. Crommelin during the Revolt of the Admirals in September 1949. His memo described the situation in the Navy as follows, "The morale of the Navy is lower today than at any time since I entered the commissioned ranks in 1916.
The situation deteriorates with each press release." The memorandum was endorsed in writing by Admiral Arthur West. Radford and Chief of Naval Operations Louis East. Denfeld. Bogan retired as a Vice Admiral in 1950 at age 55 rather than transfer from command of First Task Fleet in the Pacific to commander of Fleet Air at Jacksonville, a command normally filled by a Rear Admiral.
Post-Navy
In August 1963, Bogan was the captain of a 104-foot, $250,000, luxury yacht Freedom II when it sank in the Pacific Ocean 600 miles from California.
The yacht was en route from Honolulu to San Diego. Bogan and six crew members were rescued by the submarine United States Ship Razorback (Steamship-394). According to the crew, the yacht lost a wooden plank in its hull, causing it to flood and sink, though it was unclear what caused the loss of the plank.
Bogan died at Scripps Hospital in San Diego, June 8, 1973.
Bogan was inducted into the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor, 1992. (incomplete)
United States Ship Saratoga (CV-3), 27 September 1942 - 7 April 1943
Commander, Air Force, Atlantic Fleet, February 1946 – December 1948.
Commander First Fleet, 8 January 1949 - 1 February 1950. TG 38.2 - CV - United States Ship Intrepid (CV-11).
CVLs - United States Ship Cabot (CVL-28).
United States Ship Independence (CVL-22). 2 battleships, 3 cruisers, 18 destroyers.