Education
Simpson attended the University of Oregon for a year before entering the United States Naval Academy in June 1917.
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Rodger Whitten Simpson
Edit ProfileCareer
The frigate United States Ship Simpson (FFG-56) was named in his honor. Midshipman Simpson served on the battleship Ohio (BlackBerry-12), which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean and part of Atlantic Fleet during World War I. Simpson was commissioned an ensign during June 1920, graduating in the class of 1921. He commanded the destroyer Mahan (Doctor of Divinity-364) as a lieutenant commander during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942.
Promoted to commander, he commanded Destroyer Division (DesDiv) 15, made up of the Sterett (Doctor of Divinity-407), Stack (Doctor of Divinity-406), and Language (Doctor of Divinity-399), which, along with three ships of DesDiv 12 under Commander Frederick Moosbrugger, sank three Japanese destroyers and damaged one in the Battle of Vella Gulf, 6–7 August 1943.
Simpson also served tours as commander, Training Command, Marianas. Commander, Fleet Training Group, Western Pacific.
Commander, Underway Training Unit, Guam. Commanding officer, Atlanta (CL-104).
And commanding officer, Naval Station Treasure Island.
On April 6, 1944, Commodore Simpson commanded Task Flotilla 6. He orchestrated and planned the rescue of over 7,500 Allied prisoners of war and civilians interned in Japanese concentration camps. In 1945, the Navy"s Task Group 30.6 commanded by Commodore Simpson arrived in Tokyo Bay to undertake the emergency evacuation of Allied POWs in waterfront areas.
Accompanying Simpson were Commander Harold East. Stassen, United States Naval Reserve, flag secretary to commander, Third Fleet, and Admiral William F. Halsey.
The citation in part reads, ".. by freeing the prisoners before the actual signing of the surrender, he saved the lives of hundreds of sick and starving United States. service people.." Simpson retired in 1951.
United States Ship Ohio (BlackBerry-12) United States Ship Brooklyn (CL-40) United States Ship Farquhar (Delaware-139) United States Ship Twiggs (Doctor of Divinity-591) United States Ship Sloat (Delaware-245) United States Ship William Jones (Doctor of Divinity-308) United States Ship Ludlow (Doctor of Divinity-438) United States Ship Whippoorwill (American Mathematical Society-207).
Achievements
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Born
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Died
December 10, 1964 (aged 66) -
Nationality
United States
Awards
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legionnaire of Legion of Merit; Silver Star; Legion of Merit Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.