John Henry Towers

John Henry Towers
Towers circa 1946
Born	(1885-01-30)January 30, 1885 Rome, Georgia,U.S.
Died	April 30, 1955(1955-04-30)(aged 70) Jamaica, New York,U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1906–1947
Rank	Admiral
Service number	0-5891
Commands	United States Pacific Fleet United States Fifth Fleet Second Fast Carrier Task Force Task Force 38 USSLangley(CV-1) USSMugford(DD-105) USSSaratoga(CV-3)
Battles/wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Navy Cross(2) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit NC-4 Medal
Relations	Herbert D. Riley(son-in-law)
Other work	President, Pacific War Memorial President, Flight Safety Council

John Henry TowersCBE(January 30, 1885 – April 30, 1955) was a highly decoratedUnited States Navyfour-staradmiraland pioneernaval aviator.He made important contributions to the technical and organizational development ofnaval aviationfrom its beginnings, eventually serving as Chief of theBureau of Aeronautics(1939–1942). He commanded carrier task forces during World War II, and retired in December 1947. He andMarc Mitscherwere the only early Naval Aviation pioneers to survive the hazards of early flight to remain with naval aviation throughout their careers. Towers spent his last years supportingaeronauticalresearch and advising the aviation industry.

Early life and career

John H. Towers was born on 30 January 1885 atRome, Georgia,son of William Magee and Mary (Norton) Towers. He completed public school in Rome and entered theGeorgia School of TechnologyatAtlanta,where he completed one year in civil engineering course, before received an appointment to theUnited States Naval AcademyatAnnapolis, Marylandin June 1902. While at the academy, Towers was nicknamedHattieand reached the rank of cadet petty officer 1st class.

Among his classmates were many future admirals includingRoland M. Brainard,Arthur L. Bristol,William L. Calhoun,Milo F. Draemel,Robert L. Ghormley,William A. Glassford,Charles C. Hartigan,Aubrey W. Fitch,Frank J. Fletcher,Isaac C. Kidd,John S. McCain Sr.,Leigh Noyes,Ferdinand L. Reichmuth,Sherwoode A. Taffinder,Russell Willson,andThomas Withers.

He graduated withBachelor of Sciencedegree on 12 February 1906 and was attached aspassed midshipmanto the battleshipUSSKentucky.Towers then took part in the cruise around the world withGreat White Fleetand also served in theCubanwaters during theSecond Occupation of Cuba.After the two years at sea, then required by law, he was commissioned ensign on 13 February 1908 while still aboardKentucky.

Towers was transferred toNew York Shipbuilding Corporationfor duty in connection with fitting out of the first United Statesdreadnoughtbattleship,USSMichigan,in September 1909 and upon her commissioning in January 1910, he served as fire control officer and spotter. During his tenure in this capacity, he became interested in aviation, which was motivated by recognition that higher elevation observation was required to observe fall of shot at the range of modernnaval artillery.Towers requested aviation training in November 1910; but his proficiency at gunfire spotting was considered essential toMichigan's mission whenGlenn Curtisoffered to train a naval officer to fly the following month, soTheodore G. Ellysonbecame the first United States naval aviator.Only after Curtiss moved his flying school from San Diego to the east coast was Tower released fromMichiganto report to the Curtiss Flying School inHammondsport, New York,on June 27, 1911, for aviation training.

Pioneer naval aviator

Early Naval Aviators: Towers is seated second from left.Glenn Curtissat controls.Theodore Ellysonat the nose wheel of the plane.

Under the tutelage of aviation pioneers Curtiss and Ellyson, Towers qualified as a pilot with theAero Club of Americaon 13 September 1911, flying the Navy's first airplane, a Curtiss A-1 seaplane.In Sept 1911 Towers and Ellyson created the first official Naval Air Station and flying aviation unit at Greenbury Point, Md across the Severn River from the Naval Academy under orders from CaptainWashington Irving Chambers,the first Navy officer assigned to development of the nascent U.S.Naval aviationprogram.

In October 1911, Towers achieved a distance record, flying an A-1 fromAnnapolis, Maryland,to Old Point Comfort, Virginia, a distance of 112 miles in 122 minutes. He set several speed and altitude records at the time.

Due to the winter weather conditions at Greenbury Point they crated the airplanes and Towers et al. traveled toNorth IslandinSan Diego,California where, in conjunction with the Curtiss Flying School, he took part in developing and improving naval aircraft types

After that winter in San Diego they went back to Greenbury Point. On October 6, 1912, he achieved an American endurance record by rigging extra gasoline tanks to a Curtiss A-2 seaplane, allowing him to remain aloft for 6 hours, ten minutes, 35 seconds. From October to December 1912, Towers conducted tests to spot submerged submarines from the air over the Chesapeake Bay. This later was valuable in leading to the design of the NC boats and the First Crossing of the Atlantic in 1919. He furthered those tests into 1913 during fleet operations nearGuantanamo Bay,Cuba. Additionally, he investigated the potential for Navy aerial reconnaissance, bombing, photography, and communications.

On 8 May 1913, Lt. Towers flew a long-distance flight of 169 miles in a Curtiss flying boat from theWashington Navy Yarddown thePotomac Riverand then up theChesapeake Bayto theU.S. Naval AcademyatAnnapolis, Maryland.The flight took three hours and five minutes. EnsignGodfrey Chevalierwas his passenger.

On 20 June 1913, Towers was nearly killed in an aviation mishap over theChesapeake Bay.While he was flying as a passenger in a Wright seaplane, his plane was caught in a sudden downdraft and plummeted earthward. The pilot, EnsignW.D. Billingsley,was thrown from the aircraft and killed (becoming the first naval aviation fatality). Towers was wrenched from his seat but managed to catch a wing strut and stay with the plane until it crashed into the Chesapeake. Interviewed byGlenn Curtisssoon thereafter, Towers recounted the circumstances of the tragedy; his report and resultant recommendations eventually led to the design and adoption of safety belts and harnesses for pilots and their passengers.

On 20 January 1914, after appealing to the higher-ups to move the aviation unit to warmer climes Lieutenant Towers led 9 officers and 23 enlisted men, with seven aircraft, portable hangars and other gear from the aviation unit at Annapolis (Greenbury Point) toPensacola, Floridato set up the naval aviation training unit. On April 20, 1914, Towers led the first naval aviation unit called into action with the Fleet. He and two other pilots, 12 enlisted men and three aircraft sailed from Pensacola aboard thecruiserBirminghamin response to theTampico Affair.

Naval aviator designation and insignia

In January 1915, the navy decided to officially designate its flyers. At that time, Towers was officially designated as Naval Aviator No. 3, with an effective date of 1914.Lieutenant Commander Towers, while assigned to the aviation desk under the CNO, is credited with the development of the Naval Aviators badge, which were designed and ordered in 1917.On January 19, 1918, distribution of the first gold Naval Aviator wings began, and it is likely that Towers, as Senior Naval Aviator in Washington at the time, was an early, if not the earliest, recipient.

World War I

In August 1914, shortly after the war began, Towers was ordered to London as assistantnaval attaché—a billet he filled until he returned to the United States in the autumn of 1916. That August Lieutenant Towers accompanied theU.S. Relief Expeditionaboard theUSSTennesseeas part of the naval delegation led by CommanderReginald R. Belknap,with overall command by Assistant Secretary of the Army Henry S. Breckinridge. Subsequently, Towers advocated for theFirst Yale Unit,which became the core of naval aviation's participation in the war.

In May 1917, Lieutenant Commander Towers was ordered to the Bureau of Navigation as Supervisor of theNaval Reserve Flying Corps,a precursor to theNaval Air Reserve Force.When the Navy established the Division of Aviation, atNavy Departmentheadquarters, Towers was appointed Assistant Director of Naval Aviation. In that position, he orchestrated the buildup from a handful of obsolete aircraft and fewer than 50 pilots to a force of thousands of aircraft and aviators. Towers was subsequently awarded theNavy Crossfor his wartime service as Assistant Director of Naval Aviation.

Interwar years, 1919–1939

Towers as Commander in 1919

During the interwar years, Towers was the leading advocate of Naval Aviation (and especially carrier aviation) when there was virtually no other support within or outside of the navy. He was involved in a number of pioneering developments in Naval Aviation, including the first transatlantic crossing by aircraft; serving as commander of the first U.S.aircraft carrier,USSLangley;and holding important positions (including bureau chief) within theBureau of Aeronautics(BuAer), the organizational structure established for naval aviation in 1921.

Transatlantic crossing: Flight of NC-4, 1919

The NC-3, commanded by Towers, limps into the Azores after an attempt to cross the Atlantic

Officers of the Transatlantic Flight, Towers with walking cane, beside him are future admiralsPatrick N. L. BellingerandAlbert C. Read.

In 1919, then-Commander Towers proposed, planned and led the firstair crossingof the Atlantic.Planning for the mission actually began during the early years ofWorld War I,when Allied shipping was threatened bysubmarine warfare,but could not be accomplished prior to the war's end. The flying expedition began on 8 May 1919 when threeCurtiss NCFlying Boats, designated NC-1, NC-3 andNC-4,leftNaval Air Station Rockaway,New York,The aircraft made intermediate stops inChatham, MassachusettsandHalifax, Nova Scotiabefore reachingTrepassey, Newfoundlandon 15 May 1919.

On 16 May they left for the longest leg of their journey, to theAzores.NC-1 and the NC-3 were both forced to land in heavy seas due to dense fog, and neither could take off again. NC-1 subsequently began taking on water and the crew was rescued by the Greek freighterIonia.The crew of the NC-3, including Towers, managed to keep the NC-3 afloat for 52 hours, water taxiing the craft over 200 miles toPonta Delgadaon São Miguel Island.NC-4went on to complete the transatlantic crossing, arriving at Lisbon on 27 May. For his leadership in the operation, Towers was awarded his secondNavy Cross.He was also made a commander of theOrder of the Tower and Swordby the Portuguese government on 3 June 1919.Ten years later, Towers and the flight crew of NC-4 were awardedCongressional Gold Medals.

Sea and shore assignments, 1920s and 1930s

The newly appointed Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics, U.S. Navy, Rear Admiral John H. Towers, right, being administered the oath on June 1, 1939

Between the autumn of 1919 and the late winter of 1922 and 1923, Towers served at sea—as the executive officer ofUSSAroostookand as the commanding officer of the olddestroyerUSSMugford,which had been redesignated an aircraft tender. Then, after a tour as executive officer atNAS Pensacola,he spent two and one-half years—from March 1923 to September 1925—as an assistantnaval attaché,serving at the American embassies at London, Paris, Rome,The Hague,and Berlin.

Returning to the United States in the autumn of 1925, he was assigned to theBureau of Aeronauticsand served as a member of the court of inquiry which investigated the loss of dirigibleUSSShenandoah.

Towers next commandedUSSLangley,the Navy's firstaircraft carrier,from January 1927 to August 1928. He received a commendation for "coolness and courage in the face of danger" when a gasoline line caught fire and burned on board the carrier in December 1927. Towers personally led the vigorous and successful effort to suppress the flames kindled by the explosion and thus averted a catastrophe.

After shore duty in the Bureau of Aeronautics, Towers successively served as head of the plans division and later, as assistant bureau chief. Towers joined the staff of the Commander, Aircraft, Battle Force, under Rear AdmiralHarry E. Yarnell,in June 1931. He was among the staff which planned a successful "attack" on Pearl Harbor during the Joint Army-Navy Exercise No. 4 in theHawaiian Islandsin February 1932—an operation which was to be duplicated on a larger scaleby the Japanese in December 1941.

Between June 1933 and June 1939, Towers filled a variety of billets ashore and afloat: he completed the senior course at theNaval War Collegein 1934; commanded the Naval Air Station at San Diego; again served on the staff of ComAirBatFor; commanded the aircraft carrierUSSSaratoga;and became Assistant Chief of theBureau of Aeronautics.On 1 June 1939, he was named chief of theBureau of Aeronauticswith the accompanying rank ofrear admiral.

World War II

As Aeronautics Bureau chief, Towers organized the Navy's aircraft procurement plans while war clouds gathered over the Far East and in the Atlantic. Under his leadership, the air arm of the Navy grew from 2,000 planes in 1939 to 39,000 in 1942. He also instituted a rigorous pilot-training program and established a trained group of reserve officers for ground support duties. During Towers' tenure, the number of men assigned tonaval aviationactivities reached a high point of some three quarters of a million.

World War II operational commands

Allied sailors and officers watch General of the ArmyDouglas MacArthursign documents during the surrender ceremony aboardMissourion 2 September 1945. Towers is ninth from the right.

Naval Academy classmates, now admirals, in Pacific in November 1943:Calhoun,Towers,GhormleyandFitch

Promoted tovice admiralon 6 October 1942, Towers became Commander,Air Force, Pacific Fleet.From this billet, he supervised the development, organization, training, and supply of the Fleet's growing aviation capability, and helped develop the strategy which spelled the doom of the Japanese fleet and eventual American victory in the Pacific. For his "sound judgment and keen resourcefulness", Towers received, successively, theLegion of Meritand theDistinguished Service Medal.

Towers was subsequently promoted to the dual position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Ocean Area (DCINCPOA) and Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet (DCINCPAC). In this capacity, he served as AdmiralChester Nimitz's chief advisor on naval aviation policy, fleet logistics, and administration matters.

In August 1945, Towers was given command of theSecond Fast Carrier Task Forceand Task Force 38, Pacific Fleet. He held this position in the closing days of the war.

Post-war service

On 7 November 1945, he broke his flag aboard the battleshipUSSNew Jerseyas commander,5th Fleet.On 1 February 1946, he relieved AdmiralRaymond Spruanceas commander in chief, Pacific Fleet, with the aircraft carrierUSSBenningtonhis flagship, and held the post until March 1947.

In 1946, President Truman signed the first Outline Command Plan (now known as the Unified Command Plan) that called for the establishment of several joint or unified commands. On 1 January 1947, the newUnited States Pacific Commandstood up as one of the first unified commands with Admiral Towers as its first commander. He served as the commander of Pacific Command for only two months before being reassigned: 1 January 1947 – 28 February 1947. Admiral Towers was dual-hatted as both commander in chief, Pacific Fleet and commander in chief, Pacific Command.

After chairing theNavy's General Boardfrom March to December 1947, Towers retired on 1 December 1947.

Retirement

After retirement, Towers served as president of thePacific War Memorial,as assistant to thepresidentofPan American World Airways,and as president of the Flight Safety Council. Towers died in St. Albans Naval Hospital, Jamaica, New York, on 30 April 1955 and was buried atArlington National Cemetery.

Honors and awards

In 1961, Towers was posthumously designated the second recipient of theGray Eagle Award,as the most senior active naval aviator from 1928 until his retirement. He was enshrined in theNational Aviation Hall of Famein 1966, theInternational Aerospace Hall of Famein 1973, theNaval Aviation Hall of Honorin 1981 and theGeorgia Aviation Hall of Famein 2004.

• 
  Statue of Towers in Rome, Georgia byBob Rasmussen
• 
  Plaque of Towers at theGeorgia Aviation Hall of Fame

The decorations and medals he earned during his career include the following:

Naval Aviator Badge
1st row	Navy Crosswith one5/16 inch star			Navy Distinguished Service Medal			Legion of Merit
2nd row	NC-4 Medal			Cuban Pacification Medal			Mexican Service Medal
3rd row	World War I Victory Medal			American Defense Service Medal			American Campaign Medal
4th row	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two3/16 inch service stars			World War II Victory Medal			Navy Occupation Medal
5th row	Commander of the Order of the British Empire			Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)			Commander of the Order of the Tower and Sword(Portugal)

Namesakes

USSTowers(DDG-9),a guided missile destroyer that saw action in the Vietnam War, was named in his honor. A crater on the moon was named in his honor by theApollo 17mission.Towers Field at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, is named for him, as is the air field at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport, Rome, Georgia.A pool located on the United States Pacific Fleet command section of Pearl Harbor is named after him.

See also

• Theodore G. Ellyson- Naval Aviator No. 1
• Eugene Burton Ely- First aviator to successfully takeoff and land from a ship
• William A. Moffett- First commander of the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics & father of U.S.Naval aviation
• Albert Cushing Read- Commander of the first transatlantic flight (1919)
• John Rodgers- Naval Aviator No. 2, commander of first flight to Hawaii (1925)

References

This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

• Reynolds, Clark G.Admiral John H. Towers: The Struggle for Naval Air Supremacy.Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1991.

External links

• Arlington National Cemetery
• Biographical information on Admiral Towers and ship history for USS Towers (DDG-9)from the Naval Historical Center
• John H. Towers Papers (Library of Congress)
• Text of Georgia Senate Resolution SR-942, honoring Admiral TowersThe text includes a brief recital of Towers' Georgia roots and naval accomplishments. The resolution was to approve the placing of a portrait of Towers in the Georgia State Capitol.