William Francis Petrovic

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Rear Admiral William Francis Petrovic (January 12, 1913 – June 25, 1991) was a preeminent naval engineer and ship builder in the United States Navy
, serving from 1935 to 1972.

Early years

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Slovenian immigrants, Frank and Anna (Geuheli) Petrovic, he was orphaned at the age of six and later raised by his older siblings. Following high school, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1935,[1] with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Naval service

Following graduation, he served two years aboard the

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS).[3]

Petrovic was serving as the ship superintendent for the overhaul of the

Okinawa and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for "heroic service" supervising and directing the salvage and repair of ships and craft damaged by enemy action. At the time of the Japanese surrender in September 1945, he was serving as the staff maintenance officer to Commander Service Squadron TEN,[6]
a position he held until April 1947.

Upon returning to the US, Petrovic began rotating duty between the

USS Oriskany (CV-34) and new construction of a guided missile destroyer, USS Mahan (DDG-42). At New York Naval Shipyard (1958–59), he oversaw the construction of two carriers, USS Independence (CV-62) and USS Constellation (CV-64). In 1959, Petrovic was ordered to San Diego as the commanding officer, Naval Repair Facility, where he was responsible for repair and minor modification to southern California
-based ships.

Upon selection as flag officer in 1962, Admiral Petrovic reported to Washington, D.C., as the assistant chief BUSHIPS Plans and Administration and inspector general with additional duties as assistant chief BUSHIPS for field activities. In January 1966 he assumed command of the New York Naval Shipyard,[8] which he was tasked with closing. In July he became deputy commander of shipyard programs and director for shipyard modernization under the new Naval Sea Systems Command.[9]

In 1967, Admiral Petrovic took command of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. During his five-year tenure, he was credited with the yard's final transition to a "nuclear"-capable overhaul facility for both submarines and surface ships as well as becoming the Navy's premiere shipyard for carrier overhaul. Additionally, the shipyard carried on its tradition of new construction, building USS Seattle (AOE-3), USS Detroit (AOE-4) and USS Puget Sound (AD-38). These were the last Navy ships built in a public shipyard. Admiral Petrovic retired in 1972 after 37 years of distinguished naval service and at that time was the senior engineering duty officer in the United States Navy.[10]

Retirement

Following retirement, Admiral Petrovic traveled extensively and worked shortly as a consultant in the shipbuilding industry. He continued to be very active in civic organizations, including the

United Way
Campaign in 1978.

Rear Admiral Petrovic died in 1991 in Bremerton, Washington, where he is buried at the Miller-Woodlawn Memorial Park next to his wife of 52 years, Gertrude (Kirk). The Petrovics had four children; William Kirk, James Richard, Deborah Lynn and Bruce Douglas.[11]

Decorations and awards

  1. Legion of Merit
  2. Combat "V"
  3. American Defense Service Medal
  4. American Campaign Medal
  5. Okinawa
    )
  6. World War II Victory Medal
  7. Navy Occupation Service Medal Asian Clasp (Japan)
  8. National Defense Service Medal (two awards)

References

  1. ^ Slason, F.K. and Meyer, N.H. "Lucky Bag 1935." New York: Dubois Press, 1935 p123.
  2. ^ Abzug, Malcolm J. "Deceased Members of MIT class of 1941." Alumweb MIT http://alumweb.mit.edu/classes/1941/deceased.html
  3. ^ History Link
  4. ^ Franz-Anderson, Deborah. "Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Recalls Contributions To Fleet During WWII." Navy.mil. US Navy. 14 Dec. 2002. http://www.navy.mil/search/print.asp?story_id=4905&VIRIN=1576&imagetype=1&page=1
  5. ^ Grosso, Gerald. "Survivors Remember Pearl Harbor." Kitsap Sun. Ed. Adam Shelton. 7 Dec. 1962, 1+. http://web.kitsapsun.com/pearlharbor/archive/120767.html
  6. ^ USS Cascade (AD-16)
  7. ^ "NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive".
  8. ^ Brooklyn Navy Yard
  9. ^ Staff writer. "Commander's Career Is Rich In Naval Shipyard Service" SALUTE 17 Mar. 1967, 1+
  10. ^ Senior US Navy Leaders, December 31, 1970. http://www.fleetorganization.com/1970admirals.html Archived 2015-02-08 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ McCormick, Julie. "Former PSNS commander died Wednesday." Kitsap Sun 27 Jun. 1991, B1+
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