Portrait of Joseph Knefler Taussig

Joseph K. Taussig was born 30 August 1877 in Dresden, Germany and entered the Naval Academy in 1895. As a midshipman, he served in the flagship New York (ACR-2) during the Battle of Santiago in the Spanish-American War. Following his graduation, he was assigned to the protected cruiser USS Newark (C-1) in 1899 and participated in the Allied Peking Relief Expedition during the Boxer Rebellion. After two years as a naval cadet, he was commissioned Ensign 28 January 1901 to begin a series of promotions and distinctions that would underscore his illustrious service to the Navy.

In July 1916, after serving in battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and on staffs afloat, he took command of Division 8, Destroyer Force, the first group of American destroyers sent abroad during World War I. After crossing the storm and gale filled Atlantic, Commander Taussig was asked by the Commander-in-Chief of the Coasts of Ireland when he would be ready for sea. Taussig replied in the now famous words; "We are ready now, Sir." He received the Distinguished Service Medal for World War I service.

After the war he continued to serve the Navy at home and abroad. In 1922 his ship, Cleveland (CL-21), rendered assistance to the victims of an earthquake and tidal wave in Chile. He served at the Naval War College, from 1923 to 1926. He also saw duty in the Bureau of Navigation, as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations, and as Commandant, 5th Naval District, in addition to commanding a battleship division and cruiser scouting force. Vice Admiral Taussig retired in 1941 but was recalled to active duty in 1943 to serve in the office of the Secretary of the Navy until 1 June 1947, only a few months before his death 29 October 1947.

Articles by Joseph K. Taussig Sr.

Hypnotized By A Red Light

By Vice Admiral J. K. Taussig, U. S. Navy
September 1946
Breakers under the bow!” This was the shout which suddenly met the ears of the captain and other officers on the bridge of the U.S.S. Celtic on a dark night ...

Destroyer Experiences During The Great War. Part III

By Captain J. K. Taussig, U. S. Navy
February 1923
III. CONVOYING MERCHANT SHIPS Being an account of the American forces employed, the transition from patrol system to convoy system, the organization, administration, and operation of a convoy, together with ...

Destroyer Experiences During The Great War

By Captain. J. K Taussig, U. S. Navy
January 1923
II. WITH THE QUEENSTOWN PATROL In which are described the preparations made by the United States destroyers to participate in the hunt for the wily submarine; the manner in which ...

Destroyer Experiences During The Great War

By Captain J. K. Taussig, U. S. Navy
December 1922
A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.—(Job, XV, 21) I. THE FIRST SIX Being a narrative of the experiences incidental to the ...