Melson, Charles L., Vice Adm., USN (Ret.)
(1904–1981)
After serving in the USS Dickerson (DD-157), USS Northampton (CA-26), and USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), Admiral Melson was CO of the USS Champlin (DD-601), deployed in the Mediterranean and Atlantic war areas in 1942-1943. Subsequent duties included: Chief of Staff to Commander Battleship Division Five; Operations and Plans Officer to Sixteenth Fleet; Staff Officer at the Naval War College; Commander Destroyer Squadron Twenty; and Administrative Aide to the Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. In 1952-1953 he served as CO of the USS New Jersey (BB-62) during the Korean War. He then commanded Cruiser Division Four; became the Superintendent of the Naval Academy; Commander of First Fleet, after which he commanded the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command. In 1964 he reported as President of the Naval War College and remained there until his retirement in 1966.
About this Volume
Based on 13 interviews conducted by John T. Mason, Jr., from February 1971 through June 1972. The volume contains 413 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1974 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee has placed no restrictions on its use.