CHAPTER III 



Early Work in Aviation 



Rear Admiral Boynton L. Braun 



Admiral Braun was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1917 and 

 graduated in 1921. He served two tours at Dahlgren and was at one time Officer 

 in Charge of the Dahlgren Air Detail. Admiral Braun performed gunnery duty 

 aboard USS NEW YORK and ARIZONA before flight training in 1931 when 

 he was designated naval aviator. He was then assigned to Torpedo Squadron I 

 aboard LEXINGTON and was later designated Executive and Commanding 

 Officer of Patrol Squadron 9 aboard WRIGHT. In June 1939, Admiral Braun 

 was assigned to the staff on the flagship MEMPHIS in the Aircraft Scouting 

 Fleet and then was given staff assignments with the Chief of Naval Operations 

 and the Bureau of Ordnance. 



In October 1943, Admiral Braun (then Captain Braun) assumed command 

 of the carrier MANILA BAY and participated in action against the Japanese in 

 the Marshall Islands, Admiralty Island, Hollandia, Aitape, and Marianas oper- 

 ations. He later commanded BENNINGTON in attacks and seizure of Japa- 

 nese islands. Following this duty. Admiral Braun served as Commander of 

 Naval Training Bases at Corpus Christi, Texas, until his retirement in Septem- 

 ber 1947. 



The following interview was conducted by Mr. Jack Brooks, Jr., in Admiral 

 Braun's home at Mathias Point, Virginia, on May 9, 1975. 



Admiral Braun, you mentioned that you came to Dahlgren in 1 929. Could you give me a 

 little background on your career before that time? 



I served on batdeships in the Fire Control Divisions from the time I 

 graduated in 1921 until 1927, and then I went to Postgraduate School and took 

 aviation ordnance. 



/ think that some of the first postgraduate officers were still at Dahlgren around that time . 

 Postgraduate School wasn't too old, was it? 



No, I think the Postgraduate School started back in Annapolis when I was a 

 midshipman. In fact, some of the postgraduate students later served under me 

 down here at Dahlgren. It was just country through here then. 



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