Victor Blue was an American Rear Admiral of the United States Navy. He served as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation for the United States Navy.
Background
Victor Blue was born on December 6, 1865, in Richmond County, North Carolina, United States. He came of distinguished Scotch, Welsh, and Huguenot ancestry settled in the Carolinas before the Revolution. His father, John Gilchrist Blue, was a lieutenant-colonel in the Confederate army. His mother was Annie M. Evans, daughter of Williams Evans, a brigadier-general of South Carolina militia in the nullification trouble of 1833. A younger brother, Rupert Blue, was Surgeon-General, United States Public Health Service. He spent his boyhood on his father's plantation, "Bluefields, " Marion, South Carolina.
Education
Victor Blue graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1887.
Career
After graduation Victor Blue was transferred to the line. In the Spanish War he was a lieutenant in the converted yacht Suwanee. Having had previous experience ashore in Cuba, May 31-June 1, 1898, in an effort to land munitions for the insurgents, Blue volunteered for two highly difficult scouting expeditions through the Spanish lines at Santiago. By the first, June 11-13, he established definitely that all Cervera's squadron was in the harbor, thus giving assurance for the transport of troops from Tampa. By the second, June 25-27, he identified and accurately located each enemy vessel for purposes of a projected torpedo attack. Accompanied only by insurgent guides, he traveled on each trip over sixty miles on muleback, penetrating two miles or more within the Spanish lines to hills overlooking the harbor. On Admiral Sampson's recommendation he was promoted five numbers for "extraordinary heroism. "
In addition to other routine assignments, Blue served on the staff of Rear Admiral Cooper, in command of the Asiatic Fleet, 1903-1904; as executive officer of the North Carolina, 1909; as commander of the Yorktown and later as chief of staff in the Pacific Fleet, 1910. On March 26, 1913, while still in the grade of commander, he was appointed by Secretary Daniels chief of the Bureau of Navigation, with the temporary rank of rear admiral; and in this important office, controlling all matters relating to personnel, he worked harmoniously with the secretary in the expansion of the navy which preceded American entry into the World War.
On August 10, 1916, he left the bureau to command the battleship Texas. For the grounding of his ship on Block Island in the next year he was reduced ten numbers. The Texas, in January 1918, joined Admiral Rodman's squadron with the British Grand Fleet in the North Sea, and in this trying service Blue remained in her command until the close of the War. For a brief period, from December 1918 until his retirement, he was again chief of the Bureau of Navigation. He was made permanent rear admiral in April 1919, and was retired in the following July, owing to heart trouble. His later life was spent chiefly at Fort George, Florida, where he had extensive real estate interests. He died of heart failure on a train while going from Fort George to Washington for treatment.
Achievements
Personality
In addition to the bold spirit displayed in the Spanish War, Blue had the sound judgment and qualities of cooperation required for the important administrative duties of his later years. He was of dark complexion and large build, fond of social life, "a generous-hearted, lovable man, " as a classmate and fellow officer describes him, "with a fund of quiet merriment which was a distinguishing characteristic. "
Connections
Victor Blue was married, October 17, 1899, to Eleanor Foote Stuart, a grandchild of Gen. David Stuart of Detroit. Of his two sons, John Stuart and Victor, the elder, John, became an officer in the navy.