Ernest G. Small

Ernest Gregor Small (5 November 1888 – 27 December 1944) was an admiral in the United States Navy during World War II.

Ernest Gregor Small
Rear Admiral Ernest G. Small (right) presents Purple Heart medals to enlisted men wounded in the Pearl Harbor attack (October 21, 1943)
Born	(1888-11-05)November 5, 1888 Waltham, Massachusetts
Died	December 27, 1944(1944-12-27) (aged 56) Brooklyn, New York
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1912–1944
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands	USS Salt Lake City (CA-25)
Battles / wars	World War II Battle of Cape Esperance
Awards	Navy Cross

Biography

Small was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, on 5 November 1888. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy and received his commission as ensign on 7 June 1912. From 1940–42 he headed the Ordnance and Gunnery Department at the Naval Academy.

On 10 April 1942 he assumed command of Salt Lake City (CA-25) and was subsequently awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism for his conning of the cruiser against Japanese surface units off Savo Island, 11–12 October 1942 in the Battle of Cape Esperance. From January to August 1943 he served eminently as war plans officer on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet. He spent the next year in distinguished performance as Commander Cruiser Division 5. Rear Admiral Small died in Brooklyn, New York on 27 December 1944.

Namesake

In 1945, the destroyer USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838) was named in his honor.

References

•  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.