Frederick H. Michaelis

Frederick Hayes Michaelis (March 4, 1917 – August 13, 1992) was an admiral in the United States Navy who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Personal life Michaelis was born on March 4, 1917, in Kansas City, Missouri. He married Rose Schiche of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, with whom he had three children. Michaelis died on August 13, 1992, in Washington, D.C., and is buried with his wife at Arlington National Cemetery.

Career Michaelis graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1940 as an ensign and was assigned to the . After surviving the attack on Pearl Harbor, he became a Naval Aviator. Later in World War II, he was assigned to what would become Attack Squadron 12, which he eventually commanded in 1945. Following the war, he was involved in the development of nuclear weapons and was assigned to the . Later, he served on the staff of the Commander, Naval Air Forces (1955–1956), and with the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (AIR) (1956–1957). He was Executive Officer of the (1957–1959), before being given the command of the in 1959. Following this, he worked with the Chief of Naval Operations (1959–1960) and became the second Commanding Officer of the , the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (1963–1965), during the Vietnam War. He was promoted to rear admiral in 1965 and vice admiral in 1969. Later he served as Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet (1972–1975), and Chief of the Office of Naval Material (1975–1978), being promoted to four-star admiral in 1975. He retired in 1978.

Awards and honors Awards he received include the Navy Cross.

Naval Aviator BadgeNavy CrossNavy Distinguished Service Medalw/ " gold starSilver StarLegion of Meritw/ " gold starDistinguished Flying CrossAir Medalw/ three " gold starsNavy and Marine Commendation MedalAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalw/ " silver starWorld War II Victory MedalNational Defense Service Medalw/ " bronze starVietnam Service Medalw/ " bronze starOfficer of the National Order of VietnamVietnam Gallantry CrossVietnam Campaign Medal

Navy Cross citation

Lieutenant Commander Frederick Hayes Michaelis U.S. Navy Date Of Action: April 17, 1945 The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Frederick Hayes Michaelis (NSN: 0-85187), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron TWELVE (VF-12), attached to the USS Hornet (CV-12), in action on 17 April 1945, in the vicinity of Okinawa Jima. When the Combat Air Patrol, of which he was the leader, encountered a much larger group of enemy fighters, Lieutenant Commander Michaelis pressed home determined and vigorous attacks which destroyed nearly all of the enemy aircraft with no loss to his own group, and thereby prevented attacks on our surface forces. He personally shot down three enemy fighters, the last of which he attacked and destroyed with only one gun functioning. Just prior to this encounter, he effectively strafed enemy airfield installations and destroyed one aircraft on the ground. His courage, inspiring leadership and professional skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.