Ephraim P. Holmes

Ephraim P. Holmes
Ephraim P. Holmes
	Atlantic Fleet
Battles/wars	World War II; Cold War
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star; Bronze Star
Other work	Executive director, Virginia Port Authority

Ephraim Paul Holmes (May 14, 1908 – February 23, 1997) was a

Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic

from 1967 to 1970.

Early career

Born in Downsville, New York to Edward Holmes and Dolly Hathaway, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1930.^[1]

Commissioned ensign on June 5, 1930, his first assignment was aboard the light cruiser

Scouting Force

off the East Coast.

Detached in May 1932, he was sent to

Yangtze River Patrol

.

In 1936, he returned to the United States for instruction in applied communications at the Naval Postgraduate School in Annapolis, Maryland. In July 1938, he reported aboard the battleship Maryland, serving as turret officer for the first year, then as fire control and plotting room officer.^[2]

World War II

In January 1941 he was assigned as aide and flag lieutenant to Commander Battleships,

Guadalcanal and the Santa Cruz Islands.^[2]

In 1943 he was assigned to fitting out duty in the new destroyer

San Francisco, California. He assumed command of the destroyer at its commissioning on February 11, 1944. Stockham conducted shakedown training off the west coast before departing for the Pacific theater in April.^[4]

Over the next year, Holmes would be repeatedly cited for exceptional performance in combat as Stockham's commanding officer.

In June and July 1944, Stockham was attached to Destroyer Squadron Fifty-Six for the invasion of the Mariana Islands. "Cool and capable in directing the delivery of accurate and effective gunfire from his ship, [Holmes] rendered valuable assistance in the destruction of enemy troops and shore installations and thereby contributed materially to the success of the landing operations."

He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on June 19, 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. "Stationed as a picket in the direct line of enemy approach, [Holmes] fought off repeated dive bomber and torpedo attacks and bore the brunt of responsibility for breaking up the approaches. Shooting down three enemy planes, damaging two more and turning away many others without casualty to his ship, he assisted materially in disrupting the enemy attack."

From September to November 1944, he led Stockham in combat operations against Japanese forces on

Battle for Leyte Gulf. "Directing his ship as part of a Fast Carrier Task Force

Unit, [Holmes] provided a screen of heavy and accurate antiaircraft fire, assisting materially in repelling four determined enemy aircraft attacks and in shooting down at least one enemy plane."

He was detached from Stockham in January 1945.[2]

Postwar

In February 1945 he reported as officer in charge of

general line

and applied communications curricula at the Naval Postgraduate School, Annapolis, Maryland, where he remained until July 1947, when he joined the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as assistant chief of staff for communications. He was promoted to the permanent rank of captain on July 22, 1948, having served in that rank on a temporary basis from December 10, 1945 to January 1, 1948.

He was a student at the

Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia

.

In August 1952 he assumed command of the attack transport

Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet. He was detached in July 1953 for duty as operations, planning and training officer on the staff of Commander Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet. In October 1955 he was assigned as commanding officer of the cruiser Northampton.^[2]

Flag officer

USS Randolph (CVS-15)

, June 17, 1967.

In early 1957, he reported as special assistant to the deputy chief of naval operations (plans and policy). He was promoted to rear admiral on July 1, 1957. He became Commander Cruiser Division Four in 1959, then returned to the Navy Department in March 1960 as assistant chief of naval operations (general planning) and director, General Planning Group.

Advanced to vice admiral on February 25, 1963, he assumed command of

Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet in March,^[2] then served as Commander, First Fleet from January 25, 1964 to July 18, 1964.^[5]

From August 5, 1964 to June 3, 1967, he was director of Navy program planning and scientific officer to the

Center for Naval Analyses in the office of the chief of naval operations. As principal advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations on programming matters, he was recognized for his expertise on the Department of Defense Programming System and its application within the Department of the Navy. "Through his extensive knowledge of the complex development of this system...Vice Admiral Holmes rendered valuable service in implementing organizational improvements in the areas of programming, planning, systems analysis, and financial management within the Department of the Navy, thereby contributing significantly to the United States mission in the Southeast Asian conflict."^[2]

He was promoted to admiral upon succeeding Admiral

Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic (SACLANT).^[6]^[7] As CINCLANTFLT, he was responsible for maintaining the combat readiness, training and logistical support of some 220,000 people.^[8] He relinquished command to Admiral Charles K. Duncan on September 30, 1970 and retired on October 1.^[1]

Personal life

Thomas H. Moorer

, 1968.

After retiring from the Navy, he was appointed executive director of the Virginia Port Authority in 1971.^[9]

He married the former Nancy Jane Sellers of

Denver, Colorado on October 11, 1933, and they had two children, Diane Hathaway Fletcher and Navy officer Ephraim Paul Holmes Jr.^[1]^[2] He died at his home in Williamsburg, Virginia at the age of 88,^[8] and was buried with his wife in the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery.^[10]