RE SERVICE OF REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM Adger Moffett, United STATES NAVY. ACTIVE, DECEASED October 31, 1869: Born at Charleston, S. C. September 6, 1886: Appointed naval cadet, First South Carolina, by Hon. Samuel Dibble. May 31, 1890: Detached from academy June 6, and to Pensacola July 1. November 7, 1891: Transferred to Baltimore. May 27, 1892: Detached from academy and granted 2 months' leave. June 16, 1892: To the Portsmouth 30th instant. July 14, 1892: Commissioned an ensign from July 1, 1892. June 2, 1893: Detached and to the Chicago. June 14.) (Detached June 12, reported March 29, 1895: Detached and to the Amphitrite April 23 as watch and deck officer. (Detached April 21.) April 30, 1896: To War College June 1. September 8, 1896: Detached October 1 and to training ship Constellation. (Reported October 1.) November 6, 1896: Detached 12th instant and to nautical school ship Enterprise. (Detached and reported November 12.) January 11, 1898: Detached and to Mohican as watch and deck officer. (Detached January 15 and reported January 29.) May 13, 1898: Detached and to Charleston as watch and deck officer. (Detached May 13 and reported May 14.) December 1, 1898: Detached and to Culgoa temporarily. Additional duty, naval station March 3, 1899: Lieutenant, junior grade. May 17, 1899: Detached to Baltimore. On arrival of Boston at Manila, detached from Baltimore and took passage in Boston to Mare Island Hospital for treatment. (Detached May 17 and reported May 18.) (Detached June 1.) July 13, 1899: Lieutenant. December 4, 1899: To the Monongahela on expiration of leave. (Reported December 19.) May 5, 1900: To the Kentucky May 15. (Detached and reported May 15.) May 24, 1901: Detached and to the Marietta. October 9, 1901: Detached home and leave 1 week, then to the U. S. S. St. Mary's. (Detached October 12 and reported October 23.) November 7, 1902: Detached November 15 to the Minneapolis for duty with the Maine and to her when in commission. (Detached November 15 and reported November 17.) January 2, 1903: Assigned to engineer duty. May 4, 1903: Transferred to the Lancaster temporarily. May 29, 1903: Transferred to the Maine. December 14, 1903: Detached January 2, 1904, and to the Amphitrite as executive, January 4, 1904. (Detached January 2 and reported January 11.) April 12, 1904: To the naval station, Guantanamo, Cuba, with additional duty on Amphitrite. (Reported April 22.) August 5, 1904: Additional duty as captain of yard. July 1, 1905: Lieutenant commander. May 12, 1906: To the compass office, Bureau of Equipment, course instruction; upon completion, to Naval War College, duty in attendance upon summer conference of officers. (Reported May 14 and reported June 1.) August 29, 1906: Detached and to Bureau of Equipment. ber 5 and reported September 7.) (Detached Septem March 20, 1908: Detached March 31 and to Maryland as navigator tached March 31 and reported April 6.) (De November 18, 1908: Relieved duty as navigator and to duty executive of Maryland. September 27, 1910: Detached on relief and to duty inspector eighteenth lighthouse district, San Francisco, Calif. (Detached and reported October 8.) March 4, 1911: Commander. May 17, 1912: Detached inspector eighteenth lighthouse district, June 30 and to works of the William Cramp & Sons' Ship & Engine Building Co., Philadelphia, Pa., in connection fitting out Arkansas and to that vessel as executive when in commission. (Detached June 30 and reported July 7.) October 22, 1913: Detached on relief and to command the Maine. October 24 and reported October 29.) (Detached November 5, 1913: Detached (command Maine) and to command Chester. (Detached and reported November 5.) July 2, 1914: Additional temporary duty in command North Carolina and Brooklyn. July 15, 1914: Additional duty in command of Brooklyn and the receiving ship at Boston, Mass. August 25, 1914: Detached command Chester September 16, and to duty as commandant of the naval training station, Great Lakes, Ill., and additional duty as supervisor of the ninth, tenth, and eleventh naval districts. (Detached September 16 and reported September 17.) August 29, 1916: Captain. March 18, 1918: Detached present duties and to duty commandant, United States naval training station, Great Lakes, Ill. November 23, 1918: Detached (commandant naval training station, Great Lakes, Ill.) and to Mississippi for duty command. (Detached December 7 and reported December 10.) November 12, 1920: Detached December 9 (Mississippi) and to home to await orders. (Detached December 9; arrived home December 12.) December 10, 1920: To Secretary of Navy, Navy Department, December 14 for duty as may be assigned. Upon completion this duty, detached and to home. (Reported December 14; detached December 19; arrived home December 20.) December 18, 1920: On January 3, 1921, report to Chief, Naval Operations, Navy Department for such duty as may be assigned. (Proceeded January 2 and reported January 3, 1921.) January 3, 1921: Assumed duties of Director of Naval Aviation March 7, 1921. July 26, 1921: Commissioned Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics, with rank of rear admiral, for a term of 4 years, from July 25, 1921. July 26, 1921: Accepted appointment and executed oath as Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics, rank of rear admiral, from July 25, 1921. July 22, 1922: Appointed as Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics, from July 25, 1921, constitutes assignment to duty in part of aeronautic organization of Navy and was appointed naval aviation observer June 17, 1922, therefore, in conformity with Executive order of July 1, 1922, hereby detailed to duty involving flying, effective from July 1, 1922. July 25, 1923: Rear admiral. January 19, 1924: To additional duty command United States Naval Arctic Expedition. (Assumed command January 19.) March 31, 1925: Commissioned regular Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics with rank rear admiral for 4 years from March 13, 1925. April 3, 1925: Accepted appointment and executed oath as Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics with rank of rear admiral from March 13, 1925. June 12, 1928: Entered upper half of list of rear admirals June 11, 1928. March 13, 1929: Commissioned as interim Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics, rank of rear admiral for 4 years, from March 13, 1929. March 13, 1929: Accepted appointment and executed oath of office. January to April 1930: Temporary additional duty assistant to naval advisors to American representation on London Naval Conference, London, England. April 4, 1933: Killed in crash of U. S. S. Akron. Medal of Honor: "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, April 21 and 22, 1914; brought his ship into the inner harbor during the nights of the 21st and 22d without the assistance of a pilot or navigational lights, and was in a position on the morning of the 22d to use his guns at a critical time with telling effect. His skill in mooring his ship at night was especially noticeable. He placed her nearest to the enemy and did most of the firing and received most of the hits." Distinguished Service Medal, World War service (citation): "For exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as commandant of the ninth, tenth, and eleventh naval districts and commandant of the Great Lakes Training Station." Also Spanish campaign medal, Philippine campaign medal, Mexican service medal, Cuban pacification medal, and victory medal. H. Repts., 76-1, vol. 5 NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., June 7, 1939. MEDICAL RECORD OF ENTIRE SERVICE OF REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM ADGER MOFFETT, UNITED STATES NAVY (DECEASED) The following medical history is found in the files of this Bureau for the period noted. NAVAL ACADEMY, ANNAPOLIS, MD. November 18, 1886: Odontalgia. Origin, not duty; no evidence of duty. January 6, 1887: Cephalalgia. Origin, not duty; no evidence of duty. February 1, 1887: Constipation. Origin, not duty. February 3, 1887: Discharged to duty. May 9, 1887: Cephalalgia. Origin, not duty; due to study. May 10, 1887: Discharged to duty. July 14, 1888: Abrasion. Origin, not duty; received while at drill. August 7, 1888: Cephalalgia. Origin, not duty; no evidence of duty. fever. Ŏrigin, duty; convalescent from an endemic November 27, 1888: Discharged to duty. January 28, 1889: Vertigo. Origin, not duty; overstudy March 1, 1889: Pharyngitis. Origin, not duty; ordinary causes. December 27, 1889: Cephalalgia. Origin, not duty; dietetic. Origin, duty; epidemic. U. s. S. "CHARLESTON" November 4, 1898: Bronchitis, acute. Origin, duty; exposure to climatic influences. November 6, 1898: Discharged to duty. NAVAL HOSPITAL, CAVITE, P. I. May 3, 1899: Febris remittens. Origin, duty; malarial and climatic causes. Hospital ticket states: Diagnosis, febris remittens; origin, duty. He has become infected with a remittent type of fever from exposure to malarial and climatic influences while on this station. At present he is greatly prostrated and weakened by the continuation of the fever and marked gastric irritability. Temperature has ranged from 100 to 102.2. On admission to hospital, patient presents the characteristic symptoms of a malarial infection of a remittent type. For the last 6 days he has been under treatment for a malarial infection in his quarters and was this date removed to the hospital for treatment. Has been gradually becoming weaker and has been troubled with loss of appetite and progressive loss of health and strength. Has had some feelings of chilliness, pain in back and limbs, and some sweating, preceded by flushes. His temperature has averaged from 100 to 102.4 and his general prostration is greatly marked. The last 2 days he has been somewhat nauseated and appetite is almost entirely gone. Temperature on admission is 102; pulse, 94 and weak. Was put to bed and diet regulated. Malted milk every 2 hours during the day; later as often as desired. Iron arsenic and strychnine tablets three times daily. May 4, 1899: Had a fair day; some gastric irritability and nausea; temperature, 102; pulse, 65 and somewhat weak. Malted milk. May 6, 1899: Marked improvement and no nausea; treatment continued. May 11, 1899: Slept well under hypodermic of morphine. May 13, 1899: Improving. May 15, 1899: Report of medical survey: Diagnosis; remittent fever (malarial); origin, duty; from exposure to mobific causes while on duty at Manila and at the Naval Station, Cavite, P. I. Has had repeated attacks of remittent fever with gastric involvement since arrival on this station. His ultimate recovery is not considered probable on this station. Present condition: Unfit for duty. Probable future duration: Indefinite. Recommendation: That he be transferred to the United States naval hospital, Mare Island, Calif., for further treatment. May 15, 1899: Improving. May 16, 1899: Opened a boil. May 17, 1899: Temperature normal. May 31, 1899: Return of fever to 102. U. S. S. "BOSTON" June 3, 1899: Readmitted with febris remittens. Origin, duty; received for transfer. August 26, 1899: Transferred to NAVAL HOSPITAL, MARE ISLAND, Calif. Origin, duty; exposure to August 26, 1899: Readmitted with febris remittens. climatic influences. September 4, 1899: Report of medical survey: Diagnosis, remittent fever; origin, duty. Result of exposure to climatic influences while on duty at Manila and Cavite Naval Stations. Since his arrival from Manila he has had an attack of appendicitis commencing on the evening of his arrival at this hospital. August 27, 1899. Present condition: Unfit for duty. Probable future duration: Indefinite. Recommendation: That he be ordered home and given 3 months' sick leave. September 14, 1899: Transferred to 3 months' sick leave. U. S. S. "MONONGAHELA" January 21, 1900: Appendicitis. Origin, duty. February 3, 1900: Hospital ticket states: Diagnosis appendicitis; origin, duty. From infective causes. Has had several attacks of the same disease. Was attacked January 21, 1900 with severe pain in abdomen. The following day pain was localized in right iliac region, with right rectus abdominal muscles rigid; temperature, 101.6. Vomited during the night. The third day there was marked tympanitis over whole abdomen, digestion poor, bowels opened slightly by salts. Later catarrhal jaundice developed and digestion almost ceased even of liquids. At present there is some pain on pressure at McBurney's point, digestion is impaired, temperature normal. Bowels opened by cathartics. He is considered out of danger at the present. Transferred to Naval Hospital New York, N. Y. Report of medical survey: Diagnosis; appendicitis; origin, duty. From infective causes. Has had several attacks prior to the present one. He is considered to be unfit for sea duty until his appendix has been removed. Present condition: Unfit for duty. Probable future duration: Indefinite. Recommendation: That he be transferred to the Naval Hospital New York for treatment and operation. February 15, 1900: Transferred to NAVAL HOSPITAL, NEW YORK, N. Y. February 15, 1900: Readmitted with appendicitis. Origin, duty. Present condition: Apparently recovering from an attack of appendicitis, tenderness in right iliac region. Doughy tumor low down in this region. condition poor. General Treatment: Diet; dilute hydrochloric acid after meals and mild cathartic in preparation for interval operation. February 19, 1900: Patient had a sharp attack of grippe which came on on the evening of the 17th. He is convalescing. February 23, 1900: Local condition improving. Patient slowly gaining strength. February 27, 1900: Slowly gaining strength. March 7, 1900: Condition much improved. The tumor in the right iliac fossa is less pronounced. March 12, 1900: Examination of heart, lungs, and urine negative. March 16, 1900: Patient has had some colicky abdominal symptoms but no pronounced abdominal tenderness in the right iliac fossa; temperature, 99.4; pulse, 100. Prepared for operation. March 17, 1900: Under chloroform anesthesia and rigid asepsis the abdomen was opened by the intramuscular method. The appendix was found to be bound down, the omentum densely adherent to it and surrounding part and the whole mass forming the tumor, noted above. The omentum was carefully dissected away when the appendix was brought into view and was deeply congested and the diameter of a finger. It was very closely adherent to the cecum from which it was removed with great difficulty. In the dissection a cavity the size of a hickory nut, containing some pus and the thin clear fluid was opened. The stump of the appendix was tied off and the appendix cut away. The stump was cauterized in the usual way. The field of operation was lightly and carefully wiped with hot sterile salt solution pads. The abdominal wound was united as usual. March 24, 1900: Post operative condition normal; dressings removed; general condition excellent. During the week it has been necessary to catheterize the patient, who probably has had an overdistended bladder with usual inability to empty as result. March 27, 1900: Some cystitis present shown by increased frequency in urination; pus in urine; bladder washed out with 4 percent boric acid solution; salol internally. March 29, 1900: Much improved; some serum in upper part of incision. April 10, 1900: Report of medical survey: Diagnosis, appendicitis. Origin, duty; from causes incident to service. His appendix was removed about 3 weeks ago. Present condition: Unfit for duty. Probable future duration: Convalescing. Recommendation: That he be ordered home and granted 1 month's sick leave. April 16, 1900: Discharged to sick leave. U. S. 8. "KENTUCKY" November 23, 1900: Note: Hernia, right oblique, inguinal. Origin, duty. April 19, 1901: Note: Erythema. U. S. S. "AMPHITRITE" January 30, 1904: Laryngitis acute. Origin, duty; from climatic causes. February 2, 1904: Discharged to duty. U. S. S. "MARYLAND" September 23, 1908: Stremma both knees and legs. Origin, duty; while on duty ashore at Tutuila. September 25, 1908: Discharged to duty. December 22, 1908: Fistula in ano. Origin, duty; incident to service; under cocaine opened and curretted. January 14, 1909: Discharged to duty. December 30, 1909: Annual physical examination; no defects noted; found physically qualified to perform all the duties of his rank at sea. NAVAL TRAINING SHIP, SAN FRANCISCo, calif. November 7, 1910: Annual physical examination; no defects noted; found physically qualified to perform all the duties of his rank at sea. March 27, 1911: Annual physical examination; no defects noted; found physically qualified to perform all the duties of his rank at sea. January 27, 1912: Annual physical examination; no defects noted; convalescing from catarrhus epidemicus; slight bronchitis right lung; found physically qualified to perform all the duties of his rank at sea. U. s. S. "ARKANSAS" January 3, 1913: Annual physical examination; no defects noted; found physically qualified to perform all the duties of his rank at sea. |