Arthur R. Gralla

Arthur Robert Gralla (April 21, 1913 – May 22, 1998) was an American sailor who rose to the rank of Vice Admiral in the United States Navy.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Gralla spent time in the U.S. Merchant Marine before entering the United States Naval Academy. He was decorated for several actions while serving as gunnery officer aboard the in the Pacific theater of World War II in 1944. He then held a number of command and staff appointments before being decorated again for his role commanding a missile test task force as part of Operation Argus. As Vice Admiral, he was briefly Naval Inspector General before being named Commander, Military Sealift Command.

Gralla studied at Brooklyn College before entering the Naval Academy. He also earned a master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Early life and education

Gralla was born April 21, 1913, in Brooklyn, New York.

While attending Brooklyn College, Gralla spent a summer as an apprentice seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marine. He then enrolled in the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1934 with honors, ninth out of a class of 463. In 1942 he earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from MIT, From 1937 to 1939, he was an aide to the commander of the Special Service Squadron. between July and September 1958. For his leadership, Gralla was awarded the Legion of Merit, with his citation praising his "unusual technical and professional competence, sound leadership, and outstanding initiative".

In September 1958 Gralla was ordered back to the Bureau of Ordnance in Washington, D.C. In this role, he clashed with Deputy Secretary of Defense David Packard over Packard's proposal to place most U.S. military logistics under the Army. This would have included sealift, over which Gralla's service had jurisdiction. Much of the top brass agreed with Gralla, and ultimately Congress did not endorse Packard's plan. However, in November 1971, Gralla was forced into retirement in retaliation for testifying to Congress against Packard's plan.

Personal life

Gralla married Mildred C. Lesser on May 31, 1936.