Background
Gilmer, William Wirt was born on May 21, 1863 in at Chatham, Virginia, United States. Son of John and Eliza Williams (Patton) Gilmer.
Gilmer, William Wirt was born on May 21, 1863 in at Chatham, Virginia, United States. Son of John and Eliza Williams (Patton) Gilmer.
Graduated from the United States Naval Academy, 1885.
Commissioned ensign United States Navy, July 1, 1887. Lieutenant junior grade, September 4, 1896. Lieutenant, March 3, 1899.
Lieutenant commander, January 1, 1905.
Commander, December 23, 1908. Captain, July 1, 1912.
Served on Merrimac and Vulcan in West Indies, Spanish-American War, 1898. Clubs: Army and Navy (Washington and Manila).
Married Florence Peterson, of Germantown, Pennsylvania, June 2, 1906.