Charles W. Fisher Jr.

Charles Willis Fisher Jr. (October 27, 1880 – October 8, 1971) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of rear admiral. During World War II, Fisher served as director of Shore Establishment Division.

Early service

Fisher was born on October 27, 1880, in New York City, the son of Charles W. Fisher. Following the high school, he received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in October 1897 and while at the academy, he participated as midshipman in the Spanish–American War in the waters of the West Indies and Cuba. Fisher was also active in Catboat races and Class Ring Committee and earned nickname "Woolsey".

He graduated on June 7, 1901, with Bachelor of Science degree and among his classmates were several future admirals, including World War II Chief of Naval Operations, Ernest J. King; and Burrell C. Allen, Ivan E. Bass, John Downes, Arthur P. Fairfield, Julius A. Furer, George F. Neal, Walter N. Vernou, Manley H. Simons, Rufus F. Zogbaum Jr., Adolphus Andrews and William S. Pye.

Following the graduation, Fisher joined as passed midshipman the crew of battleship USS Iowa and participated in the training exercise and patrol cruises in eastern Pacific until July 1904.

Fisher was subsequently appointed assistant naval constructor at Boston Navy Yard and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant (junior grade) on October 21, 1904, and to lieutenant on the same date. He was transferred to Naval Construction Corps two weeks later. In 1907, Fisher completed a Master of Science degree in naval architecture and marine engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then served at the Mare Island Navy Yard as assistant naval constructor from June 1907 until mid-August 1911, when he was ordered to the same capacity at Norfolk Navy Yard.

He was promoted to naval constructor and ordered to the Puget Sound Navy Yard in August 1914, where he participated in the repair and rebuilding of the ships for next three years. Fisher was promoted to lieutenant commander on August 29, 1916.

World War I

Following the United States entry into World War I, Fisher was promoted to the temporary rank of commander on August 31, 1917, and ordered to the staff of the commander, U.S. Naval Forces in France under Admiral William Sims. Fisher was stationed in England and France and served in this capacity until November 1918, when he was ordered to the Naval Base in Brest for construction duty. For his previous service as aide to Admiral Sims, Fisher was decorated with Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat, and also received Legion of Honour by the Government of France.

Fisher was transferred to San Francisco in August 1931 and appointed Member of the Board of Intelligence & Security, Pacific Coast Section. He remained in that assignment until September 1935, when he was ordered to the Washington, D.C., for duty as assistant director of Shore Establishment Division in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy under Claude A. Swanson.

World War II

In September 1939, Fisher was promoted to the capacity of director of Shore Establishment Division and held overall responsibility for the coordination and improvement of the industrial establishment at the Navy Yards. His office was subordinated directly to the Secretary of the Navy. Fisher was promoted to the temporary rank of rear admiral on October 9, 1941.

Shore Establishment Division under his command had the following functions:

Fisher served as secretary's spokesman and principal advocate of the plan at the Committee Hearings, but it was opposed by Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Harold R. Stark and was dropped. The influence of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy in such matters gradually declined and a corresponding increase in the control over the Shore Establishment by CNO took place at the same time. Fisher continued his efforts to maintain orderly and responsible procedures in this area of departmental administration. He was particularly concerned over the growing practice of bypassing the Assistant Secretary, thus keeping that office in the dark about matters for which the Assistant Secretary was responsible.

Fisher retired on shortly following the war after 44 years of active duty and received Legion of Merit by Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal for his distinguished service during the War.

Death

Fisher died on October 8, 1971, aged 90. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, together with his wife, Una Gielow Fisher (1880–1958).

Decorations

Fisher´s ribbon bar: