William Herman Brockman, Jr., was born at Baltimore, Maryland, on 18 November 1904. Enlisting in the Naval Reserve in 1922, he was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy a year later and graduated from there in 1927. He specialized in submarines from 1929 onward and commanded the submarine rescue ship Mallard (ASR-4) in 1938-39. Lieutenant Commander Brockman was Commanding Officer of USS Nautilus (SS-168) during the June 1942 Battle of Midway and in subsequent operations, earning the Navy Cross with two gold stars for himself and the Presidential Unit Citation for his ship during this period.
After a year with the Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet, Brockman was a Submarine Division commander from September 1944 to December 1945, receiving promotion to the rank of Captain in March 1945. He commanded USS Cahaba (AO-82) until February 1946, then served in Seventh Fleet and Navy headquarters staff positions until retiring in November 1947. Promoted to Rear Admiral upon retirement, Brockman was active in business for many years thereafter. He died at Boca Raton, Florida, on 2 January 1979.
This page features photographs of William H. Brockman, Jr.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: 80-G-20016 Lieutenant Commander William H. Brockman, Jr., USN After being presented with the Navy Cross for his performance while in command of USS Nautilus (SS-168) during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Photographed during the awards ceremony at the Pearl Harbor submarine base, 7 November 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 68KB; 555 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
![]() |
Photo #: 80-G-11737 Makin Island Raid, August 1942 Conversation aboard USS Nautilus (SS-168) after her return to Pearl Harbor from Makin Island, 26 August 1942. Those present are (from left to right): Lieutenant Commander William H. Brockman, Jr., Commanding Officer, USS Nautilus; Commander John M. Haines, Commander, Submarine Division 42, and Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson, USMC, Commander, Second Raider Battalion. Note .45 caliber M1911A1 pistol worn by LtCol. Carlson in a cross-draw holster. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
![]() |
NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 21 March 1999
Coding updated 6 May 2009