Sumner Ely Wetmore Kittelle

Summary

Sumner Ely Wetmore Kittelle (June 14, 1867 – December 29, 1950) was a rear admiral in the United States Navy and a veteran of the Spanish–American War and World War I. He was also the third military Governor of the United States Virgin Islands. Late in life, he also became an author and published a book on his family's genealogy.

Sumner Ely Wetmore Kittelle
Born(1867-06-14)June 14, 1867
Peekskill, New York
DiedDecember 29, 1950(1950-12-29) (aged 83)
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1889–1931
RankRear Admiral
Commands heldUSS Georgia
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
World War I
AwardsNavy Cross
RelationsBG Lester A. Dessez, (son-in-law)
RADM Charles J. Moore, (son-in-law)

Kittelle was born in Peekskill, New York. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1889. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his service during World War I, as commander of the battleship Georgia of the Atlantic Fleet.[1] He was promoted to rear admiral in 1921 and made Governor of the Virgin Islands, a position he held only until 1922. Almost immediately on becoming governor, he sacked the civilian colonial assembly. In 1927, while a commandant of the 16th Naval District, he exposed a plot by "communists" to destroy a shipyard at Cavite. He retired in 1931.

In 1946, Kittelle wrote The Ketel family,: Also (Ketele, Kettele, Kettel, Kittelle and Kittle), a history of his family tree.

References edit

  1. ^ "Hall of Valor: Awards for Sumner Ely Wetmore Kittelle". Military Times. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  • The 1899 Membership Register for The Empire State Society, S.A.R.
  • "SUMNER KITTELLE, RETIRED ADMIRAL." The New York Times, December 30, 1950. p. 13

Succession edit

Preceded by Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands
1921–1922
Succeeded by