Paul D. Stroop

Vice Admiral Paul David Stroop (30 October 1904 – 17 May 1995) was an officer of the United States Navy and a Naval Aviator. He held numerous high-ranking staff positions in aviation from the 1930s onward, including World War II service on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, he held various sea commands. From 1959 to 1962, he oversaw the development of the Navy's aerial weapons, including early guided missiles, as chief of the Bureau of Naval Weapons. During the later 1960s, he commanded Naval air forces in the Pacific.

Biography

Early life and career Stroop was born in Zanesville, Ohio on October 30, 1904 as the only child of John Hoover Stroop and Margaret Stroop. When Stroop was 12, the family moved to Mobile, Alabama. His father was in ill health and felt a milder climate would be a better place to live.

Stroop went to high school in Mobile and graduated in 1921. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy by the local congressman from Mobile, John McDuffie. He then did some preparatory work at Werntz's preparatory school in Annapolis, sometimes referred to as "Bobby's War College."

In 1928, he served as a member of U.S. gymnastic team at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

Naval aviation assignments Paul D. Stroop early 1930s US. Naval Aviation Assignment From 1928 to 1929, Stroop received flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, and in 1929 received his wings as a Naval Aviator. His first aviation assignment was with Torpedo Squadron 9, based at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. In 1931, he participated in the tests of the Norden bombsight against the U.S.S. Pittsburgh in the Chesapeake Bay.

From 1932 to 1934, he undertook postgraduate work at the Naval Academy. After completing his studies, he returned to Fleet assignments. He served from 1934 to 1936 with Bombing Squadron 5, aboard the carrier . From 1936 to 1937, he was Senior Aviator aboard the cruiser . In 1937, Stroop gained his first experience in the Naval Aviation material establishment when he was assigned to the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer). He left BuAer in 1940 to join the staff of Admiral Aubrey Fitch, commander of Patrol Wing 2, based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In 1940, Stroop became Flag Officer and Tactical Officer of Carrier Division 1 at San Diego.

World War II After the United States entry into World War II, Stroop was transferred to Pearl Harbor. In 1942, he joined the staff of the Carrier Task Force, aboard at Pearl Harbor.

Battle of the Coral Sea Lieutenant Paul D. Stroop as staff officer aboard the carrier USS LexingtonIn April 1942, Stroop served as flag secretary, tactical officer, navigator, and also assumed the role of intelligence officer aboard the USS Lexington under Admiral Fitch. The Lexington departed Pearl Harbor to join the Yorktown and Australian forces to counter Japanese movements near New Guinea. Although unaware at first that a carrier battle was imminent, intelligence traffic from Pearl Harbor indicated growing enemy presence. He was noted for his respected leadership. According his dedication in the ship's 1952 cruise book, his influence fostered high morale and operational success among the crew.

Then, in 1952, he assumed command of the , and was promoted to rear admiral.