George Partridge Colvocoresses

George Partridge Colvocoresses (April 3, 1847 – September 10, 1932) was a United States Navy rear admiral. He was the son of Captain George Musalas Colvocoresses, the adopted son of Captain Alden Partridge, founder of Norwich University in Vermont and Eliza Freelon Halsey. George Partridge was a graduate of the Norwich University (Class of 1866) and the United States Naval Academy (Class of 1869) and led a distinguished naval career.

Life and career

George Partridge Colvocoresses was born in Norwich, Vermont, on April 3, 1847. Meant to be a member of the Norwich University class of 1866, Colvocoresses left after the end of his freshman year to serve under his father on the USS Supply.

He entered the United States Naval Academy, then located in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1864, during the American Civil War, and graduated in 1869.

Colvocoresses served on most of the foreign naval stations, and in the Hydrographic Office at Washington, and in 1886 was assistant instructor in drawing at the United States Naval Academy, where he was an instructor in 1893–96 and commandant of midshipmen in 1905–1909.

In 1890, the officers and men of the United States Navy dedicated a granite-and-marble monument to the memory of Lieut. George W. De Long and the crew of the USS Jeannette. Lieutenant George P. Colvocoresses designed the monument—a cross with carved icicles hanging from it that sits atop a cairn. The 24-foot (7.3 m)-high structure is in the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery overlooking the Severn River.

Commander Asa Walker, commander of the Concord, had the following to say: "Each and every one of my subordinates did his whole duty with an enthusiasm and zeal beyond all praise. I am particularly indebted to the executive officer, Lieut. Commander George P. Colvocoresses, for the cool, deliberate, and efficient manner with which he met each phase of the action, and for his hearty cooperation in my plans."

He participated in the capture of Manila on August 13, 1898, and shortly afterwards, became the executive officer of the cruiser USS Olympia. They had one daughter and two sons: Edith B., Major Harold Colvocoresses U.S.M.C., and George M. (II) Colvocoresses. The son of George M. (II) Colvocoresses, Col. Alden Partridge Colvocoresses, USA, went on to develop the first satellite map of the United States..

In 1919, Rear Admiral Colvocoresses, whose name appears on the Centennial Staircase at Norwich, delivered an address about Captain Alden Partridge on the 100th anniversary of the founding of Norwich University.

Colvocoresses died on September 10, 1932.

Awards Dewey Medal Civil War Campaign Medal Spanish Campaign Medal Philippine Campaign Medal

Dates of rank Midshipman – 28 September 1864 Graduated – 4 June 1869 Ensign – 12 July 1870 Master – 18 June 1872 Lieutenant – 1 July 1875 Lieutenant commander – 4 June 1897 Commander – 30 June 1900 Captain – 21 February 1905 Rear admiral on Retired List – 30 June 1907

Served two years and two months as Captain's Clerk during the Civil War.