Vernon Jannotta

Alfred Vernon Jannotta (13 December 1894 – 31 May 1972) was a United States Navy rear admiral who saw action in WWI and WWII, and an American businessman.

Early years Jannotta was the son of Alfred Antonio Jannotta, an Italian composer, conductor, and voice instructor, and his second wife, Stella (née Skiff) of the Jewel Tea Company family. He was born in Chicago.

He studied at Cornell University from September 1912, serving for two years in the Cornell Cadet Corps. He joined the Sigma Nu fraternity and the Savage Club of Ithaca, New York. He graduated with a B.A. degree in business administration.

World War I Jannotta enlisted in the US Naval Reserve as a sailor in April 1917. He was then selected for training at the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, then commissioned as an ensign. He saw service protecting convoys in the Atlantic Ocean. He transferred to the USS San Diego, the only U.S. Navy cruiser to be sunk during World War I. Jannotta survived the 19 July 1918 sinking after eight hours in the water. He was given survivor's leave, which allowed him time to marry Mary (May) Broderick Lamm on 20 August 1918. He was posted to serve as a liaison officer with the British Royal Navy. His active duty ceased in February 1919, as a Lieutenant (junior grade). He remained in the Naval Reserve until September 1921.

San Diego Loans

San Diego survivors were rescued by a Dutch freighter that dropped the men off at Hoboken, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City. The survivors had lost all of their possessions, so Jannotta sent a telegram to his uncle who sent him $2,000 by wire transfer. Jannotta lent each sailor $10 to buy clothes. The final sailor repaid the loan in 1939 after tracking him down.

Inter-war period Jewel Tea Company, Inc. Jannotta began his business career in 1919 as a salesman in the family's firm, the Jewel Tea Company of Chicago. He was associated with the company for fifty years in various capacities including recording secretary, director, and assistant to the president.

Management He was a business executive and management consultant in several other firms, and his interests were spread among furniture stores, self-service laundries, construction businesses, and food chain stores. Jannotta held executive positions in or owned the following companies: the investment and banking firm of Lehman Brothers (New York City), 1926–1927; Motor Institute of America (Chicago), 1927–1932; and, Tapp Inc. (furniture manufactures, Chicago), 1932–1942.