Rear Admiral Francis X. McInerney (left) on board the USS Helena CA-75 in 1949.

 

Francis X . McInerney was born on 28 March 1899 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was commissioned from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1929. As a junior officer, his tours of duty included the ships, USS New Mexico, USS BURNS, USS Williamson, and USS Dobbin.

In 1935, he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from George Washington University Law School. Subsequent tours included USS Concord, and instructor at the Post-Graduate School, Annapolis, Maryland.

VADM McInerney assumed command of USS Smith in May 1940, and was commanding that destroyer when the United States entered World War II. Later he was assigned to the ANZAC Squadron in the South Pacific and, as senior officer in destroyers, participated in the early strikes in the Solomons and the Battle of the Coral Sea.

In March 1943, he assumed command of Destroyer Squadron 21. He led his ships in the Solomons in the First and Second Battles of Kula Gulf. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V," the Navy Cross, Presidential Unit Citation, the Silver Star, and the Legion of Merit with Combat "V".

In August 1943, VAdm McInerney was assigned as Senior Representative of Commander Destroyers in the South Pacific, and in March 1944, was named Chief of Staff for Commander Operational Training Command, Pacific Fleet. He assumed command of the battleship USS Washington in June 1945. In October 1946, VAdm McInerney reported as Commanding Officer of the Naval Receiving Station, Treasure Island, California. He assumed command of Cruiser Division Three in March 1949. In January 1950, he became Commander Amphibious Training Command, Pacific Fleet. Subsequently, he commanded Amphibious Group Three, Pacific Fleet, and Service Squadron Three.

VADM McInerney's operations in the Korean War as Commander Joint Amphibious Task Forces Seven, Seventy-Six and Ninety-Two earned him the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.

In May 1953, he became Senior Member, Board of Naval Inspection and Survey, West Coast Section. In October 1954, he was assigned as President of the Permanent General Court Martial, Eleventh Naval District. He retired 30 June 1955.

(Courtesy of the USS McInerney website)