Robert Alfred Theobald

Robert Alfred Theobald (January 25, 1884 – May 13, 1957), nicknamed "Fuzzy", was a United States Navy officer who served in World War I and World War II, and achieved the rank of rear admiral. In retirement, he was the author of the 1954 book The Final Secret of Pearl Harbor: The Washington Background of the Pearl Harbor Attack.

Biography Born in San Francisco, California, on January 25, 1884, Theobald attended the University of California in 1902–1903 before entering the United States Naval Academy, from which he graduated ninth in his class in 1907. He was commissioned as an ensign in 1908. His first tour as a commanding officer was of the destroyer in 1915.

Theobald served as Commander of Pacific Fleet Destroyers (ComDesPac) from December 1941 until May 1942 before being appointed Commander of the North Pacific Force (Task Force 8) for operations in the Aleutian Islands in the Territory of Alaska. The Aleutian Islands Campaign began in June 1942 and, after suffering minor defeats against Japanese naval forces, including the Japanese capture of the islands of Attu and Kiska, Theobald was replaced by Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid.

In January 1943 Theobald was appointed Commandant of the First Naval District and of Boston Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts. He retired from active service in 1945.

Post-World War II After World War II, Theobald gained considerable notoriety with his 1954 book The Final Secret of Pearl Harbor: The Washington Background of the Pearl Harbor Attack, which accused the administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt of suppressing intelligence about the attack in order to bring the United States into the war.

Personal life Theobold was first married to Helen Reeves Berry (August 24, 1888 - February 23, 1938). They had two children, Robert Theobald Jr. (1910–1989) and Frances Theobald Brainerd (1913–2008). Robert Theobald Jr. was also a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (1931) and achieved the rank of captain in the U.S. Navy.

Theobald married the former Elizabeth Dartnell (August 9, 1909 – January 3, 1996) in 1941.

Death Theobald died in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 13, 1957. He is buried with his second wife Elizabeth at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Publications Theobald, Robert Alfred. The Final Secret of Pearl Harbor: The Washington Contribution to the Japanese Attack, New York: Devin-Adair, 1954.

Awards and decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Rear Admiral Theobald: