Background
Helm, James Meredith was born on December 16, 1855 in Grayville, Illinois, United States. Son of John Jacob and Mary Walden (Gray) Helm.
Helm, James Meredith was born on December 16, 1855 in Grayville, Illinois, United States. Son of John Jacob and Mary Walden (Gray) Helm.
Graduated from the United States Naval Academy, 1875.
Served on various ships, on various stations and in surveying expeditions in Alaska, coasts of Oregon and Washington. Commanded surveying steamers Patterson, McArthur, Gedney. Commanded Gunboat Hornet during Spanish-American War, on blockade duty off Cuba.
Captured a Spanish steamer and 3 contraband schooners off Cape Cruz.
Advanced 5 numbers in grade “for eminent and conspicuous conduct in battle at Manzanillo, Cuba, June 30, 1898”. Commanded Gunboat Frolic in Philippine waters, 1900-1902.
Superintendent lighthouse service, chief of coast guard and transportation and director navigation, civil government, Philippine Islands, and commanded cruisers Baltimore and Galveston, Asiatic Squadron, 1902-1906. Naval secretary Lighthouse Board, Washington, 1906-1907.
Commanded Battleship Idaho, 1908-1909, Receiving Ship Wabash, 1909-1910.
Commandant Naval Station, Now Orleans, 1910-1911, Charleston, South Carolina., and superintendent 6th naval district, 1913-1914. Commander Atlantic Reserve Fleet, 1914-1916. Appointed senior member Commision on Navy Yards and Naval Stations, 1916.
Appointed commandant 4th Naval District, January 1918.
Appointed senior member Commision on Navy Yards and Naval Stations, September 16, 1919, and retired. Home: Washington, Distric.
Served on various ships, on various stations and in surveying expeditions in Alaska, coasts of Oregon and Washington. Member Commision on Navy Yards and Naval Stations, 1916. Member Commision on Navy Yards and Naval Stations, September 16, 1919, and retired.