Carl J. Seiberlich

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Carl J. Seiberlich
Rear Admiral
Commands held
Battles/warsWorld War II:
Awards

naval aviator in the United States Navy who commanded the aircraft carrier USS Hornet that picked up the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 astronauts after splashdown
in the Pacific. He was the first man qualified to land airships, airplanes and helicopters on an aircraft carrier.

Early life

Carl J.Seiberlich was born in

Harold Pitcairn.[2]

On graduation from high school, Seiberlich received an appointment to the

troop ships SS Joseph Lykes and SS Mormachawk. He graduated in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation, and accepted a commission as an ensign in the United States Navy Reserve in April 1943.[2]

Seiberlich was posted to the

Battle of Salerno, where Mayo engaged German tanks, and the Battle of Anzio, where Mayo was badly damaged by a naval mine. In 1945, Mayo went to the Pacific, and participated in the Battle of Okinawa. Seiberlich was present on Mayo in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on the USS Missouri in September 1945.[2]

Naval aviation

With the war over, Seiberlich reported to the Naval Air Training Center at the

NAS Santa Ana and then NAS Moffett, flying blimps. At one point he set a record for crossing the United States in a blimp. He also became the first person to make a night landing on an aircraft carrier, the USS Mindoro, in a blimp. In 1951 he was awarded the Harmon Trophy for his pioneering work in blimps.[2]

The aircraft carrier USS Hornet

In March 1952, Seiberlich went to

Armed Forces Staff College. He then assumed command of VS-26, flying the Grumman S-2 Tracker from the aircraft carrier USS Randolph.[2]

In 1961, Seiberlich became the Plans Officer for

HSS-1 Seabat helicopters on an aircraft carrier, thereby becoming the first naval aviator to qualify to land airships, airplanes and helicopters on an aircraft carrier.[2]

The Apollo 11 Command Module is lowered to the deck of the USS Hornet.

After two years with the Naval Air Reserve Training Command at

fleet oiler USS Salamonie in 1967. He was its last commanding officer, remaining with it until its decommissioning at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in December 1968.[4] In May 1969, he assumed command of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. As such, he was in charge of the recovery of the crew of Apollo 11 on July 24, 1969, and of the crew of Apollo 12 on November 24, 1969. He remained in command of Hornet until it too was decommissioned, in June 1970. He then became the commander of Antisubmarine Warfare Group 3, flying his flag from the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga.[4]

Seiberlich subsequently served as Director of Aviation Programs, Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare, Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel, and Commander, Naval Military Personnel Command.[2] He retired from the Navy in 1980. During his career he had been awarded the Legion of Merit six times. He had also been awarded the Air Medal.[3]

Later life

Seiberlich became Director of Personnel of

International Standards Organization Subcommittee on Intermodal and Short Sea Shipping, and on the International Maritime Security Working Group and Ship/Port Interface Committee.[2]
RADM CARL J. SEIBERLICH ’43, USN (RET.) was inducted into the United States Merchant Marine Academy Hall of Distinguished Graduates on September 28, 1996 citing his “Distinguished Merchant Marine and Navy Careers” as well as being “First Kings Pointer to Attain Flag Rank”

Seiberlich and his wife Trudy are survived by two sons, Eric Paul Seiberlich and Curt August Seiberlich,

Arlington, Virginia, after which he was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.[4][5]

References

  1. ^ a b "Carl J. Seiberlich, 84; Led Ship That Recovered Returnees From Moon". Los Angeles Times. May 8, 2006. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Fish, Bob (April 24, 2006). "The Life and Times of RADM Carl J Seiberlich" (PDF). USS Hornet Museum. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Adm. Carl Seiberlich; Commanded Aircraft Carrier". Washington Post. April 18, 2006. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "Carl J. Seiberlich July 4, 1921 – March 24, 2006 Last Commander of the U.S.S. Salamonie". USS Salomie Association. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Carl Joseph Seiberlich, Rear Admiral, United States Navy". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
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