Edward Walter Eberle was born in Denton, Texas, on 17 August 1864. Raised in Arkansas, he graduated from the the U.S. Naval Academy in 1885. Over the next decade he served in several ships and shore stations, demonstrating a talent for naval ordnance and gunnery. In 1896, after two years' duty at the U.S. Naval Academy, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Eberle was assigned to the new battleship Oregon (BB-3) and rendered distinguished service as one of her turret officers during the Battle of Santiago in July 1898.
Lieutenant Eberle next served as the Asiatic Squadron's Flag Lieutenant, the first of a number of assignments that kept him close to the Navy's senior officers. In the early years of the New Century, he continued his ordnance studies and was one of the Navy's influential figures in this field. He was in charge of the Atlantic Torpedo Flotilla in 1911-13, during which time he received promotion to the rank of Captain. After more sea and shore service, he became Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, holding that position through the First World War. Rear Admiral Eberle commanded Atlantic Fleet battleship divisions in 1919-21, then, with the rank of Admiral, became Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet.
In 1923, Admiral Eberle was selected as the Navy's third Chief of Naval Operations. His four years in this position war marked by struggles to maintain the Navy's strength in the face of arms limitation treaties, financial stringency and political attacks on naval aviation. He was successful in obtaining funds to modernize battleships, begin construction of a force of heavy cruisers, and complete the aircraft carriers Lexington (CV-2) and Saratoga (CV-3). Admiral Eberle was relieved as Chief of Naval Operations in November 1927 and served on the General Board until his retirement in August 1928. He died on 6 July 1929.
USS Eberle (DD-430) and USS Admiral E.W. Eberle (AP-123) were named in honor of Admiral Eberle.
This page features selected views concerning Admiral Edward W. Eberle.
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-1019394 Captain Edward W. Eberle, USN Photographed circa 1915. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 87KB; 585 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 19-N-7151 Rear Admiral Edward W. Eberle, USN Photographed 25 June 1921. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 63KB; 590 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-425631 Admiral Edward W. Eberle, USN Photographed on 22 November 1922. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 89KB; 590 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 49797 Admiral Edward W. Eberle, USN, Chief of Naval Operations Portrait photograph by Harbrook, circa 1923-27. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 100KB; 560 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 48578-KN (Color) Admiral Edward W. Eberle, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, 21 July 1923 - 14 November 1927 Portrait by J.C. Backus. Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC. Donation of the Eberle Family. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 113KB; 585 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 53161 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland Officers' baseball team, Summer 1895. Those present are, seated in front, left to right: Assistant Engineer Herman O. Stickney; Ensign Samuel R. Hurlburt; and Ensign Ashley H. Robertson. Seated in middle row, left to right: Ensign Edward W. Eberle; Ensign William H.G. Bullard; Ensign John F. Hubbard (Catcher); and Professor Paul J. Dashiell. Standing in back, left to right: Ensign George R. Marvell; Lieutenant Francis J. Haeseler; Assistant Engineer Horace W. Jones (holding puppy); Second Lieutenant Charles F. Macklin, USMC; and Passed Assistant Surgeon Stephen S. White. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 135KB; 740 x 590 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 2186 Battle of Santiago, 3 July 1898 Lieutenant Edward W. Eberle on board USS Oregon (BB-3), during a lull in the battle. Photograph from the journal of Naval Cadet C.R. Miller, USN. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 113KB; 595 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 2899 Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels (left), with Rear Admiral Edward W. Eberle, USN, Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy At the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, after Secretary Daniels had presented commissions to 163 Reserve officers who had trained there during World War I. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 85KB; 585 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 81426 Admiral Edward W. Eberle, USN, Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet Speaking at a Christmas party for local children held on board USS California (BB-44), off San Pedro, California, in December 1921. Collection of Rear Admiral B.F. Hutchison. Courtesy of Mrs. Worth Sprunt, 1974. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 101KB; 740 x 530 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 95607 Chief Gunner George Bradley, USN (center) With Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby (left) and Admiral Edward W. Eberle, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, at the White House, Washington, D.C., 4 October 1923, after he had been presented with the Medal of Honor by President Calvin Coolidge. The Medal was awarded "for meritorious service under fire" during the landings at Vera Cruz, Mexico, in 1914. At that time Bradley was a Chief Gunner's Mate, serving in USS Utah (BB-31). Donation of Mrs. C.L. Lehmann, 1970. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 590 pixels |
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If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 29 February 2000
Photo caption corrected 7 June 2006