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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
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-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Vice Admiral Harry McL. P. Huse, USN, (1858-1942)

Harry McLaren Pinckney Huse was born on 8 December 1858 at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York, where his Army officer father was then stationed. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in September 1874 and graduated in June 1878. He had extensive service at sea over the next decade, plus duty ashore, notably at the Naval Academy, where he would have several staff tours in the course of his career. During the 1898 war with Spain Lieutenant Huse was Executive Officer of the gunboat Gloucester, taking part in the Battle of Santiago and leading a party ashore that first raised the U.S. flag over Puerto Rico. In the early 1900s Lieutenant Commander Huse was stationed in the Philippines, where he commanded the gunboat Villalobos. This was followed by nearly five years at the Naval Academy as, among other things, instructor of mathematics.

Promoted to the rank of Commander in 1907, Huse was commanding officer of the monitor Nevada and later of the supply ship Celtic. After his next promotion, to Captain late in 1909, he was Captain of the Yard at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, commanded the battleship Vermont, attended the Naval War College and, in 1914-1915, was Chief of Staff to Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher. As a result of his conduct during the landings at Vera Cruz, Mexico, in April 1914, Captain Huse was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Huse reached the Rank of Rear Admiral in mid-1916, while at the War College. He held Navy Department positions through the World War I years, followed in 1919 by command of the Atlantic Training Fleet. From late 1919 to early 1921 he served abroad, initially as senior U.S. Navy representative on the Allied Naval Armistice Commission and the Naval Inter-Allied Commission of Control, then as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in European Waters, with the temporary rank of Vice Admiral. After returning to the United States he was Commandant of the Third Naval District, headquartered at New York City, and as a member of the Navy's General Board. Rear Admiral Huse left active duty in December 1922, later receiving the retirement rank of Vice Admiral. A Washington, D.C., resident for the rest of his life, Harry McL. P. Huse died at Bethesda Naval Hospital, in suburban Maryland, on 14 May 1942.

USS Huse (DE-145), 1943-1974, was named in honor of Vice Admiral Huse.

This page features all the views we have related to Vice Admiral Harry McL. P. Huse, USN, (1858-1942).

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 1207 Lieutenant Harry McL. P. Huse, USN Halftone reproduction of a portrait photograph taken circa 1894-1901, published in "Harper's Magazine", Volume 99, page 58. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 192KB; 520 x 765 pixels
Photo #: NH 95151 Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, USN (center, front) With Mexican Officials and U.S. Navy Officers on the quarterdeck of a U.S. Navy battleship off Vera Cruz, probably at the time of the U.S. intervention there, circa April-November 1914. Many of those present are identified on Photo # NH 95151 (complete caption). Photographed by Hadsell, Vera Cruz. The ship appears to be one of the Connecticut class. Note 12"/45 guns, with sub-caliber rifles and sighting training devices mounted on them. Collection of Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher. Donated by Mrs. Robert D. Barnhart, 1975. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 485 pixels
Photo #: NH 95153 U.S. Atlantic Fleet Change of Command Ceremony On board USS Wyoming (Battleship # 32), circa 16 September 1914, probably at the New York Navy Yard. Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger is at right, reading his orders as he turns command over to Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher (right center). Looking on, in left center, is Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske, aide for operations to the Secretary of the Navy. Some of the others present are identified on Photo # NH 95153 (complete caption). The original print is stamped: "Photograph by the New York World. Walter C. Harris. Sep. 16 1914" Collection of Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher. Donated by Mrs. Robert D. Barnhart, 1975. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 500 pixels
Photo #: NH 75880 Vice Admiral Harry McL. P. Huse, USN, Commander, U.S. Forces in European Waters With members of his staff, January 1921. Those present are (from left to right): Lieutenant Moses B. Byington, Jr; Captain David W. Todd; Vice Admiral Huse; unidentified Marine orderly; Lieutenant Commander Lucius C. Dunn; Lieutenant James C. Bequette; and Lieutenant William S. Garrett. The border of the original print is inscribed: "To Mrs. W.V. Pratt from her cousin Harry P. Huse, Vice Admiral, U.S.N." Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral William V. Pratt, USN. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 525 pixels

Medal of Honor citation of Captain Henry (sic) McLaren Pinckney Huse, USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 100): "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Under fire, Captain Huse was eminent and conspicuous in the performance of his duties; was indefatigable in his labors of a most important character, both with the division commander in directing affairs and in his efforts on shore to get in communication with the Mexican authorities to avoid needlessly prolonging the conflict."

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Page made 14 September 2003
Medal of Honor citation added 17 September 2003