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Walter Ansel
Walter Charles Ansel (August 25, 1897 - November 26, 1977) was a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and writer.
Born in Elgin, Illinois in 1897, he graduated from Elgin High School in 1915 and entered the U.S...view moreWalter Charles Ansel (August 25, 1897 - November 26, 1977) was a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and writer.
Born in Elgin, Illinois in 1897, he graduated from Elgin High School in 1915 and entered the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1918. During WWI he served on the patrol craft U.S.S. Rambler, which engaged in anti-submarine operations off the coast of France as well convoy escort duty. After the war he was assigned to Destroyer Escort Force out of Brest, France. In 1930 he attended the Navy War College and in 1931 he attended the Marine Corps Field Officer Course. During WWII he was stationed at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operation and was appointed the Commanding Officer of the newly commissioned Fleet Oiler U.S.S. Winooski. He was then transferred to the staff of Commander Advance Group, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet in the United Kingdom, which became the Naval Port Support Group for the planned North Africa, Sicily and Southern France invasions.
He then became Assistant Chief of Staff and Operations Officer on the staff of Commander, Amphibious Force, North African Waters. By 1943 he was ordered to command the Cruiser U.S.S. Philadelphia in the Mediterranean, accepting the surrender of the German garrison in the fortress islands off Marseilles in early 1944. For his services in the operation he was awarded a second Legion of Merit Medal. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star from the French Government.
In late 1944 he returned to duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. In 1946 he returned to sea duty as Chief of Staff, Support Group One, Japan, and thereafter to the Office of the Secretary of the Navy. He later served with the U.S. Naval Mission in Brazil.
He retired after 31 years of service in 1949 and turned to writing, publishing “Hitler Confronts England” and “Hitler and the Middle Sea”. He died in Annapolis, Maryland in 1977, aged 80.view less