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Photo # 80-G-36310:  Captain Edward J. Moran on board USS Boise, November 1942

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Rear Admiral Edward J. ("Mike") Moran, USN (Retired), (1893-1957)

Edward J. Moran was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 15 August 1893. He briefly attended the University of Illinois before receiving an appointment to the the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1917. During the First World War, Moran served in the destroyer Beale, taking part in anti-submarine operations in the area of the British isles. In 1919-1922, Lieutenant Moran was assigned to the destroyers Ramsay and Waters. He served as a Regimental Officer at the Naval Academy until mid-1924, then was Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander Special Service Squadron.

Lieutenant Commander Moran had recruiting duty during the later 1920s, was First Lieutenant of the aircraft carrier Langley in 1929-32 and then served with the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit at the University of Washington. Promoted to the rank of Commander in 1937, he was the battleship Nevada's Engineering Officer until 1940 and Executive Officer of the light cruiser Boise until shortly after the United States entered World War II.

In late January 1942, Captain Moran took command of Boise, bringing her home after she accidently grounded during the East Indies campaign. After repairs, he took her to the south Pacific war zone to participate in the very difficult campaign to hold Guadalcanal. Under Moran's leadership, Boise played a prominent role in the 11-12 October 1942 Battle of Cape Esperance, which turned back a Japanese cruiser-destroyer force that was en route to bombard U.S. Marines on Guadalcanal. She survived very serious damage when an enemy shell detonated in her forward magazines, and later returned to the U.S. for a hero's welcome. Moran was awarded the Navy Cross for his "extraordinary heroism and courage" in that action.

During the first half of 1943, Captain Moran served ashore in the United States. In mid-year he was given the temporary rank of Commodore and sent back to the south Pacific to command Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons during the Allied offensive up the Solomon Islands chain. He spent the rest of World War II in that area, and was Commander Naval Forces, Northern Solomons, during 1944-45. His post-war service was spent ashore on the U.S. West Coast, where he retired with the rank of Rear Admiral in December 1947. Edward J. Moran died on 20 April 1957.

This page features all our views of Rear Admiral Edward J. Moran.


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Photo #: 80-G-36310

Captain Edward J. ("Mike") Moran, USN
(right),
Commanding Officer, USS Boise (CL-47)

With an unidentified Lieutenant, on board Boise at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in November 1942.
The ship was receiving repairs for serious damage inflicted during the Battle of Cape Esperance, 11-12 October 1942.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 68KB; 590 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-40066

USS Boise (CL-47)


Officers and men line the after deck as Captain Edward J. Moran, Commanding Officer, escorts Admiral Ernest J. King, Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations, on an inspection of the ship, at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, 20 November 1942. Walking behind them is Rear Admiral A.E. Watson, Commandant 4th Naval District.
Admiral King welcomed Boise upon her return to the United States to receive repairs for serious damage inflicted during the Battle of Cape Esperance, 11-12 October 1942.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 615 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-40731

Captain Edward J. Moran, USN


Receives the Navy Cross from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, in the Secretary's Navy Department Office, 15 February 1943. Looking on is Vice Admiral Richard S. Edwards, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet.
Captain Moran was awarded the Navy Cross for "extraordinary heroism and courage" as Commanding Officer of USS Boise (CL-47) during the Battle of Cape Esperance, 11-12 October 1942.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 22 December 2001