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William F. Bringle
1913-1999
William F. Bringle as a Captain
Place of birth	Covington, Tennessee
Allegiance	U.S. Navy
Years of service	1933-1974
Rank	Admiral
Commands	USS Kitty Hawk United States Naval Forces Europe
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Navy Cross Distinguished Flying Cross

Admiral William F. Bringle, USN, was the first commanding officer of USS Kitty Hawk. During the Vietnam War, he was Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet in 1967-70 as a Vice Admiral, and later, as a four star admiral, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe in 1971-73. Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... United States Naval Forces Europe is the United States Navy component of the United States European Command. ... The supercarrier, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), formerly CVA-63, is the second naval ship named after Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers first flight. ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... The United States 7th Fleet is a naval military unit based in Yokosuka, Japan. ... Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ... United States Naval Forces Europe is the United States Navy component of the United States European Command. ...

Admiral William F. Bringle was born in Covington, Tennessee, on April 23, 1913, son of Mrs. Lota Smith Bringle and William F. Bringle of Covington, Tennessee. He died on March 19, 1999 at Rancho Santa Fe, California Covington is a city in Tipton County, Tennessee, United States. ... Rancho Santa Fe is an unincorporated census-designated place in San Diego County, California, United States. ...

He attended the Byars-Hall High School and Columbia Military Academy before his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Graduating in June 1937, he was commissioned an ensign, and through subsequent advancement attained the rank of captain, July 1, 1955. Teamwork: Fourth Class Midshipmen lock arms and use ropes made from uniform items as they brace themselves climbing the Herndon Monument The United States Naval Academy, or USNA, is an institution for the undergraduate education of officers of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. ...

During his career, Captain Bringle served in numerous sea and shore assignments. His first was aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) in the gunnery, communications and engineering departments as a junior officer until 1940. The fifth USS Saratoga (CV-3) was the second aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. ...

Reporting to the Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training, he was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1940. Naval Air Station Pensacola, The Cradle of Naval Aviation, is a United States Navy base located in Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits. ...

In January 1941, he served as senior aviator aboard the USS Milwaukee (CL-5), and he eventually became commanding officer of Cruiser Scouting Squadron TWO, operating on the USS Omaha (CL-4) and the USS Savannah (CL-42). The third USS Milwaukee (CL‑5) was laid down 13 December 1918 by Seattle Construction & Dry Dock Co. ... USS Omaha (CL-4) was the lead ship of Omaha class of light cruiser of the United States Navy. ... USS Savannah (CL-42) was laid down on 31 May 1934 by the New York Shipbuilding Association, Camden, N.J.; launched on 8 May 1937; sponsored by Miss Jayne Maye Bowden, niece of Senator Richard B. Russell, Jr. ...

From September to November 1943, he trained at the Naval Air Station Melbourne and in December, formed the first Observation Fighting Squadron (VOF-1) during World War II. He commanded the squadron throughout the period of hostilities, and was awarded the Navy Cross, "For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy forces during the Allied Invasion of Southern France in August 1944." Captain Bringle also received the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star from the Government of France for his part in the invasion. Reassigned to the Pacific war again, Captain Bringle and squadron embarked in the USS Wake Island (CVE-65) and later the USS Marcus Island (CVE-77). The Navy Cross is the second highest medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for valor. ... The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of both Belgium and France which was first created in 1915. ... USS Wake Island (CVE-65) was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1102) on 6 February 1943 at Vancouver, Wash. ... USS Marcus Island (CVE-77) was laid down as Kanalku Bay under Maritime Commission contract by Kaiser Co. ...

While under his command, the squadron participated in strikes against enemy held installations in Leyte, Luzon, Iwo Jima, Sakishima Gunto, Nansei Shoto area, Okinawa and many other Pacific islands. His squadron contributed materially to the success of these combat operations in the performance of its primary function of spotting for naval gunfire and close air support of ground forces in repeated bombing and rocket attacks against enemy troops and installations. For his outstanding service during these engagements and others, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with gold stars in lieu of five additional awards of that medal as well as the Air Medal with gold stars in lieu of sixteen additional similar awards. The Distinguished Flying Cross. ... The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States which was established by Executive Order 9158, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, on May 11, 1942. ...

From October 1945 until October 1946, following the Japanese surrender, he was the air group commander of Carrier Air Group Seventeen, and when detached he returned to the Naval Academy for duty as a battalion officer. He remained there until June 1948.

Returning again to sea, Captain Bringle filled the post of commander, Carrier Air Group One aboard the carriers USS Tarawa (CV-40) and USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). The first USS Tarawa (CV-40) (also CVA-40, CVS-40) was a United States Navy Ticonderoga-class aircraft carrier. ... Philippine Sea (CV-47) was laid down by the Bethlehem Steel Company, Quincy, Mass. ...

From 1950 to 1952, he served as a member of the superintendent's staff at the Naval Academy. The next year, as a student, he attended the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. The Naval War College. ... Newport is a city in Newport County, Rhode Island, about 30 miles (48 km) south of Providence. ...

Another year and a half of sea duty as executive officer of the USS Hornet (CV-12), 1953-1954, was alternated with 2½ years of shore duty as head of the Operational Intelligence Branch of the chief of naval operations, and as the naval aide to the secretary of the Navy. // The eighth USS Hornet (CV/CVA/CVS-12) was originally named USS Kearsarge, but renamed in honor of the CV-8, which was lost in October of 1942. ...

In 1957, Captain Bringle assumed command of Heavy Attack Wing Two, operating A3D attack bombers in the Pacific. He served in this command until July 1958, when he was ordered back to the Naval Academy as commandant of midshipmen.

Captain Bringle, in May 1960, received orders designating him as the prospective commanding officer of the Navy's new attack carrier, the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63).