Background
Auken, Wilbur Rice Van was born on March 13, 1882 in Utica, New York, United States. Son of Myron W. and Caroline (Rice) Van Auken.
Auken, Wilbur Rice Van was born on March 13, 1882 in Utica, New York, United States. Son of Myron W. and Caroline (Rice) Van Auken.
Bachelor of Science, Master of Science United States Naval Academy, 1903. Naval War College, 1927.
Wife of Commander Francis Blouin). Promoted through grades to captain, 1926. Served as gunnery officer on Flagship Rhode Island (Mexican campaign, 1914) and later on Texas.
In World War I, in charge fire control, Bureau Ordnance. Naval ordnance observer on staff of Admiral W. S. Sims in Europe. Command of Stribling in Mediterranean and Adriatic seas.
Head of Ordnance and Gunnery Department at United States Naval Academy, 1921-1924. Command of Aircraft Tender Aroostook, 1924-1926. Head Training Division, Bureau of Navigation, 1927-1929.
Command of United States Ship Vestal, 1929-1931. Staff of Naval War College, 1931-1934. In command of Oklahoma, 1934-1935.
On Naval Examining Board Navy Department, 1935-1939. Retired 1939; entered investment banking business, Washington, District of Columbia. Returned to active duty (on leave from Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Beane) as chief of naval personnel, bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department, January 1941-September 1945.
Retired, inactive duty, Navy 1941-September 1945. Retired, inactive duty, Navy Department, since September 1, 1945.
Member Naval History Foundn., Naval Institute, National Geographic Society, Herkimer Company (New York) History Society, Fairfield Seminary Alumni Association Former president Washington Philatelic Society Republican. Mason.; Clubs: Army and Navy, Country, Chevy Chase (Washington, Country,). Member board directors Navy Mutual Aid Association, since 1942.
Spouse Pauline Thompson, June 16, 1909, Louisville.