Eugene Henry Cozzens Leutze

Eugene Henry Cozzens Leutze (16 November 1847 – 1 September 1931) was an admiral of the United States Navy.

Eugene Henry Cozzens Leutze
Born(1847-11-16)16 November 1847
Düsseldorf, Prussia
Died15 September 1931(1931-09-15) (aged 83)
Brooklyn Naval Hospital, New York City
Place of burial
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branch United States Navy
Years of service1863–1912
Rank Rear admiral
CommandsUSS Alert
USS Monterey
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War
Spanish–American War
RelationsEmanuel Leutze (father)
Signature

Biography

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Tōgō Heihachirō and Leutze c. 1911

Leutze was born on 16 November 1847 (his father being Emanuel Leutze) in Düsseldorf, Prussia. Appointed to the United States Naval Academy by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, he witnessed part of the Civil War on board the blockade ship Monticello the following summer.[1]

His early career brought Leutze various surveying assignments, especially in Central America. In 1897, as commanding officer of Alert, he helped promote the peace when representatives from Costa Rica and Nicaragua met and signed a treaty of peace aboard his ship. As captain of Monterey during the Spanish–American War, he sailed to reinforce Admiral George Dewey's fleet at Manila, and was present when the city capitulated.[1]

A fine administrator, he was promoted to rear admiral in 1907 while Superintendent of the Naval Gun Factory and Commandant of the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Admiral Leutze ended his active career as Commandant of both the 3rd Naval District and the New York Navy Yard on 6 June 1912. He died at Brooklyn Naval Hospital on 1 September 1931.[1]

He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on 17 September 1931[2] sans "pomp and ritual" as per his request.

Namesake

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In 1942, the destroyer USS Leutze (DD-481) was named in his honor.[1]

Leutze Park, the main parade ground at the Washington Navy Yard, is named in his honor. It is used for official change-of-command and retirement ceremonies.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Leutze". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 2 September 2010.[dead link]
  2. ^ "Burial Detail: Leutze, Eugene H". ANC Explorer.
  3. ^ "Rear Admiral Eugene Henry Cozzens Leutze USN (1847–1931)". destroyerhistory.org. Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
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