CHAPTER XIII 



Dahlgren in Perspective 



Rear Admiral Frederic S. Withington 



Admiral Withington was born in Rutherford, New Jersey, on November 1, 

 1901. He was appointed as Midshipman to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1919 and 

 commissioned Ensign in June 1923. His selection for the rank of Rear Admiral 

 was approved by the President on December 29, 1949. 



After graduating from the Naval Academy, Admiral Withington served a 

 brief tour with the Navy's Bureau of Ordnance before being assigned to the 

 batdeship WEST VIRGINIA in December 1923. He remained with WEST 

 VIRGINIA until 1928 when he was enrolled in Ordnance Engineering at the 

 Naval Postgraduate School. From June 1936 until June 1939, he performed 

 staff duty aboard WEST VIRGINIA, CHICAGO, and WINSLOW before 

 spending a 3-year tour with the Bureau of Ordnance in Washington. 



From May 1942 until November 1943, Admiral Withington served as Gun- 

 nery Officer aboard INDIANA and as her Executive Officer until October 

 1944. During this time, INDIANA operated in the Southern Solomons and 

 participated in the New Georgia campaign before transferring to the Central 

 Pacific in August 1943 where she joined a carrier group in air strikes against 

 Marcus Island, occupation of the Gilbert Islands, and bombardment of Nauru. 



In June 1944, Admiral Withington was assigned as Chief of Staff and Aide to 

 Commander Group TWO, Fifth Amphibious Force in the Central Pacific, and 

 was awarded the Legion of Merit for outstanding service. 



On November 28, 1944, Admiral Withington reported for duty again with 

 the BuFeau of Ordnance and was appointed Officer in Charge of the Naval 

 Ordnance Laboratory in October 1945. From January 1947 until August 1948, 

 he returned to sea duty as Commander of MISSISSIPPI and later MAN- 

 CHESTER. In July 1949, he reported to the Chief of Naval Operations and 

 served first as Assistant Director and later as Director of the Atomic Energy 

 Division. 



Admiral Withington was assigned as Commander Amphibious Group 

 THREE in November 1952 and reported as Deputy and Assistant Chief of the 

 Bureau of Ordnance in December 1953. In November 1954, he was nominated 

 Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance for a term of 4 years, and in April 1958 he 



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