Thomas P. Magruder

Rear Admiral Thomas Pickett Magruder (29 November 1867 - 26 May 1938) was a decorated flag officer of the United States Navy who became controversial for his 1927 critique of Navy operational practices.

Background Thomas Pickett Magruder was born in Yazoo County, Mississippi, 29 November 1867. His father, Lawson Williams Magruder, was a Major in the Confederate army and served throughout the American Civil War.

Magruder had six brothers, several of whom had military careers of their own. His younger brother Cary retired as Commodore following World War II.

Magruder entered the United States Naval Academy on 3 September 1885, graduating in June with the Class of 1889, and was commissioned ensign on 1 July 1891. He later graduated from the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, in 1916.

He was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) on 9 October 1898, to lieutenant on 3 March 1899, to lieutenant commander on 1 July 1905, to commander on 1 July 1910, and to captain 6 August 1915. He was promoted to rear admiral (temporary grade) on 25 April 1920, and to rear admiral (permanent grade) on 5 June 1921. This led to Magruder being detached from his duty in Philadelphia on 25 October 1927 and placed on "waiting orders" until 1 August 1929.

Magruder stated that the order came as a "distinct shock" to him. Although he had been aware that his magazine article had not met with the approval of some naval officials, he stated that he hoped the matter would be straightened out. The admiral said that he would insist on a thorough investigation of the whole affair.

" 'I have been here for 15 months,' said Admiral Magruder, 'and have become very much attached to Philadelphia and Philadelphians. I had hoped to stay here for the full tour of duty. I don't know why I have been detached and shall insist on a thorough investigation.'

"Admiral Magruder reiterated that he had tried for years to effect economies in the navy department and cited his testimony before a special commission in Washington several years ago.

" 'I never have suggested that the navy be reorganized,' Admiral Magruder said. 'I merely set forth what I believed to be needed reforms in the service and nothing has occurred to shake my belief in the justice of my course.' "

Other responses Secretary Wilbur stated that the order to Magruder was not 'punitive', but 'administrative'. Rear Admiral Richard H. Leigh, chief of the Bureau of Navigation, made public correspondence between the department and Magruder following his critical magazine article. Leigh said Admiral Magruder had either evaded or answered unsatisfactorily the 13 questions put to him by the department in its request for information to support Magruder's article. Rear Admiral Julian Lane Latimer, president of the Naval Examining Board and former Judge Advocate General of the Navy, will succeed Magruder at Philadelphia, although plans had been made to give him command of the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The released correspondence revealed that Magruder had at least partially tempered his statements. Under the date of 19 October, Secretary Wilbur asked Admiral Magruder to verify that he had stated that the navy is spending $3 million a year and getting $2 million worth of navy. He was also asked to confirm whether he had said in a speech that if the navy asked him for his own reorganization plans, "I'll give them something to think about."

"Replying, Magruder said the latter quotation was correct, but as to the former he was not certain of the figures. He added, however, that his intention was to convey that the navy 'is spending a great deal more money than is necessary for the operation and upkeep of the present navy.' "

Coolidge declines to interfere On 27 October, Secretary Wilbur announced at his daily press conference that after a conference with the Chief Executive at the White House, President Coolidge denied Admiral Magruder's request for a personal interview and revocation of the recall order. Wilbur's visit to the Executive Mansion was for the express purpose of delivering Magruder's letter seeking the interview.

The Secretary stated that he believed this was the first time that an officer of Magruder's rank had gone over the head of the Navy Secretary in an appeal to the President.

Outcome Magruder spent two years "waiting orders". He was returned to duty in 1929, and served as Commander, Fleet Base Force before retiring in 1931.

During the admiral's period of inactivity, he penned a volume, The United States Navy, giving a "snapshot" of the naval service as it was between the two world wars.

Personal life Magruder married Rosa Eliza Boush, daughter of Naval Constructor George Richard Boush and his wife, Adele Bilisoly Boush, in Washington, D. C., on 29 May 1893. He died 26 May 1938 at Jamestown, Rhode Island, after a long illness. He was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. He was survived by one daughter, Adele Bousch Magruder, who became the wife of Stuart O. Grieg, Commander, U.S. Navy.

In religion he was Presbyterian, in politics a Jeffersonian Democrat.

Honors and awards Besides the honors mentioned, i.e. the gold watch and chain, the Commenda Mauriziana (Italy), he was also awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Commander of Legion of Honour (France) and he also had the Spanish War Medal, Cuban Campaign Medal, Mexican Campaign Medal, and Victory Medal of the World War.

After the Spanish–American War he was presented with a gold mounted sword by his fellow citizens of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He was a member of the United States Naval Institute, the American Society of Naval Engineers, and the Army and Navy Club of Washington, D. C.