Background
Ainsworth was born on November 10, 1886, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Ainsworth was born on November 10, 1886, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He entered the United States Naval Academy on June 21, 1906, and graduated on June 3, 1910.
Following successive two-year tours at sea in Iowa (BB-4) and in transport Prairie, he shifted to Florida (BB-30) during the spring of 1914, just in time to act as the adjutant of one of the battalions that landed at Veracruz, Mexico, on April 21.
During World War I he served in the temporary ranks of Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander and was commissioned in the latter rank to date from 3 June 1921. He subsequently progressed in grade to the rank of Rear Admiral to date from 2 December 1941. On 1 December 1948, he was transferred to the Retired List of the US Navy and was advanced to the rank of Vice Admiral on the basis of combat awards.
Following graduation from the Naval Academy in June 1910, he served in the USS Idaho and the USS Prairie until the spring of 1914, when he was assigned to the USS Florida. He served as Battalion Adjutant from that battleship during the occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, on 21-22 April 1914. In May 1917 he was detached from the Florida and had duty throughout World War I, and until February 1919, on board the USS De Kalb; and as Gunnery Officer of the USS America (ex-German liner Amerika) and the USS Frederick.
In the rank of Lieutenant Commander he next reported to the Inspector of Ordnance, Naval Armor and Projectile Plant, Charleston, West Virginia, where he had duty from February 1919 to March 1921. Returning to sea, he served consecutively as Executive Officer of the USS Hancock and the USS Birmingham, and in September 1922 reported for duty with the Destroyer Squadrons, Pacific Fleet, assigned as Commanding Officer of the USS Marcus. He served in that command for a year before his detachment for duty as Naval Inspector of Ordnance, Munhall District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from November 1923 until August 1924. He was then ordered to the Navy Yard, New York, NY, where he remained on duty until November 1925.
Ordered to Asiatic Station for assignment, he reported in January 1926 as Squadron Gunnery Officer on the Staff of the Commander Destroyer Squadron, Asiatic Fleet, the USS Black Hawk, flagship. In July 1927 he assumed command of the USS Paul Jones, and after a year in that command served from September 1928 until June 1931 as an instructor in the Department of Navigation at the Naval Academy. For two years thereafter he was at sea, serving first as Navigator of the USS Idaho and later the USS Pensacola, operating with Battleship Division 2, Battle Force, and Cruiser Division 4, Scouting Force, respectively.
From June 1933 until May 1935 he was District Communications Officer for the Fifteenth Naval District, Balboa, Canal Zone, and after completing the senior course at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, Commander Ainsworth reported in June 1936 as Executive Officer of the USS Mississippi, and remained on board that battleship for two years. Now advanced to the rank of Captain, he served from July 1938 until July 1940 as Professor of Naval Science and Tactics, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana. He then served as Commander Destroyer Squadron 2, from 22 July 1940 until 19 December 1941, and the next day assumed command of the USS Mississippi, then operating in the Atlantic.
From 31 October 1944 until 13 July 1945, Admiral Ainsworth was Commander Cruisers and Commander Destroyers, US pacific Fleet, and for "exceptionally meritorious" service in that capacity was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the second Legion of Merit.
Returning to the United States, he reported on 22 August 1945 as Commandant of the Fifth Naval District and Commander, Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia, where he served until relieved of all active duty pending his retirement on 1 December 1948. Vice Admiral Ainsworth died at Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland, on 7 August 1960; was buried at Arlington National Cemetery after service at Ft. Myer Chapel on 11 August 1960.
In addition to the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Gold Star in lieu of the second award, and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Vice Admiral Ainsworth had the Mexican Service Medal; World War I Victory Medal, Transport Clasp; Yangtze Service Medal; American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 8 operation stars; the World War II Victory Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
