Pownall, Charles A., Vice Adm., USN (Ret.)
(1887–1975)
Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1910, Pownall served briefly in the USS Mississippi (BB-23), USS Missouri (BB-11), USS Ammen (DD-35), and USS Reid (DD-21). During World War I he commanded the USS Roe (DD-24) and USS Vedette (SP-163), and after the war, the USS John D. Ford (DD-228). After flight training, he was designated a naval aviator in 1927. He then served as navigator in the USS Saratoga (CV-3), air officer in the USS Lexington (CV-2), and had duty on the staffs of Commander in Chief Battle Fleet and Commander Aircraft Squadrons Battle Fleet.
He was executive officer of the USS Ranger (CV-4), and skipper of the USS Enterprise (CV-6) from 1938-41. During World War II he served as Commander Patrol Plane Replacement Squadrons, Patrol Wings, Pacific Fleet; Commander Fleet Air, West Coast; Commander Carrier Division Three; Commander Air Force Pacific Fleet; and Chief of Naval Air Training Command. His final tours, before retirement in 1949, were as Commander Marianas and naval governor of Guam.
About this Volume
Based on two interviews conducted by Etta-Belle Kitchen in April 1970. The volume contains 216 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1989 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the transcript requires the written permission of Admiral Pownall’s daughter to quote or cite in published works.