Background
Furlong, William Rea was born in 1881 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of William Allen and Ethel A. (Grant) Furlong.
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William Rea Furlong
Edit ProfileEducation
Ed.M.E., Teachers College, California, Pennsylvania, 1898. Bachelor of Science, United States Naval Academy, 1905. Master of Arts, Columbia, 1914.
Naval War College, 1933.
Career
On staff of Admiral Fletcher after landing at Vera Cruz, 1914. Gunnery officer United States Ship South Carolina, 1916, and United States Ship Nevada, 1917. Attached to British battleship Ramailles, 1918.
During World War I served as gunnery officer Atlantic Fleet and as gunnery observer in Grand Fleet of British Navy in North Sea, at Scapa Flow and Firth of Forth. Also on staff of Admiral Sims at London headquarters. In charge design and procurement navy fire control, 1919-1920.
Sent to Germany to investigate German ordnance materials and methods. Introduced into United States Navy, Synchronous fire control system and remote control of guns by power. Fleet gunnery officer United States Pacific Fleet, 1921-1923.
In charge of Island Govts. under the Navy, 1923-1926. Commanding officer of Chicago (cruiser), Nechez (oil tanker), division destroyers. Commanded Marblehead, 1932-1933, Naval Proving Ground, 1934-1935.
Captain West Virginia (flagship), 1936. On staff commander-in-chief United States Fleet, Admiral Hepburn, 1937. Rear admiral and chief bureau of Ordnance, Washington, August 1937-February 1941.
Commander Minecraft Battle Force, April 1941. Engaged in defense of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, when his flagship, United States Ship Oglala, was sunk by Japanese torpedo. Commandant Navy Yard and Pearl Harbor Operating Base, December 1941-1945, in charge salvage operations on ships sunk during Japanese attack, also of repairs on ships of Pacific Fleet engaged in North and South Pacific actions.
Works
Other Work
Membership
Member of American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, S.A.R., Military Order of World Wars (nat. commander 1949). Clubs: Army and Navy, Chevy Chase.
Connections
Married Cora Glover, 1910.; married second, Lula McKie Stephens, November 26, 1969.
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Born
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Died
June 2, 1976 (aged 95) -
Nationality
American