Spencer B. Akin

Spencer Ball Akin (13 February 1889 – 6 October 1973) was a United States Army major general. During World War II, he served as the Chief Signal Officer, United States Army Forces in the Far East under General Douglas MacArthur. Akin later served as Chief Signal Officer, United States Army from 1947 to 1951.

Early life and education Akin was born and raised in Greenville, Mississippi. He returned to the Virginia Military Institute to complete a B.S. degree in civil engineering in 1933.

Military career Akin was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry in September 1910. Promoted to first lieutenant in July 1916 and captain in May 1917, he served as a temporary major from February 1918 to May 1920 during World War I.

He escaped with MacArthur from Corregidor to Australia in March 1942. There he became Chief Signal Officer, GHQ, Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area and helped to establish Central Bureau to coordinate Allied signals intelligence. Akin also equipped a flotilla of small vessels like Argosy Lemal as radio relay stations.

Akin declined to remain behind a desk in Australia, earning one Silver Star during the December 1942 invasion of New Guinea and a second one in 1944.

Personal Akin was the son of Seddon Pleasants Akin and Martha Giles (Chaffin) Akin.

Akin married Eleanor Holt Stone (30 September 1890 – 10 October 1959) on 15 June 1915. They had two daughters.

Akin and his wife settled in Purcellville, Virginia after his retirement. He died at Loudoun County Memorial Hospital in Leesburg. Akin and his wife are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.