William A. Brockett | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | William Alden Brockett |
| Born | (1914-02-22)February 22, 1914 Illinois, US |
| Died | September 23, 1984(1984-09-23) (aged 70) San Diego,California, US |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1934–1966 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands | Bureau of Ships Boston Naval Shipyard |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Shanghai World War II Vietnam War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit |
| Other work | President of theWebb Institute of Naval Architecture |
| Signature |  |
Rear Admiral William A. Brockett (February 22, 1914 – September 23, 1984) was a naval engineer and author. Raised inLitchfield andNew London, Connecticut, Brockett served aboard a US gunboat in China at the time of theBattle of Shanghai in August 1937.[1][2] In 1950, he co-authored withRobert M. JohnstonElements of Applied Thermodynamics, which was required reading by naval engineering students of theUnited States Naval Academy for over forty years.[3] During theVietnam War, he was Chief of theUnited States Navy'sBureau of Ships. He then served as President of theWebb Institute of Naval Architecture from 1966 to 1974.
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Brockett attended the US Naval Academy, lettering in rowing in the same 1933 ceremony that his deputy at BuShips, Charles Curtze, received recognition for his superior performance in gymnastics.[4] He graduated with a B.S. degree on May 31, 1934.[5] Brockett later attended theNaval Postgraduate School.[6] He completed an M.S. degree in naval architecture and marine engineering at theMassachusetts Institute of Technology in 1943. His thesis advisor wasJoseph H. Keenan.[7]
Lieutenant (JG) Brockett served inShanghai,China aboard theRiver gunboatUSS Luzon (PG-47). He was temporarily attached to Headquarters Company, Fourth Marines, the so-calledChina Marines, at Shanghai, China in May 1940.[8] He left Shanghai on June 9, 1940 bound for the US Naval Academy aboard theSS President Cleveland.[9]
DuringWorld War II, Brockett served as an engineer officer aboard the heavy cruiserNew Orleans from 1943 to 1945.[10] He was promoted to commander on February 1, 1944.[11] After the war, Brockett served as an instructor of marine engineering back at the Naval Academy.[12]
Brockett was promoted to captain on November 1, 1952 and rear admiral on July 1, 1961.[13][14] He served as commander of theBoston Naval Shipyard and as Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Ships for Design, Shipbuilding and Fleet Maintenance. Brockett became Chief of the bureau in April 1963, succeedingRalph K. James.[10][15]
As Chief of BuShips, Brockett played a role in the investigation of the April 1963 sinking of thenuclear-poweredsubmarineUSS Thresher (SSN-593).[16] He also participated in discussions withNASA regarding the use of stableocean platforms in lieu ofinstrumentation ships for the earlyUnited States space program.[17]
Brockett's telegram to the commissioning of theUSS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN-631) was read aloud at the ceremony on July 17, 1964.[18]
Brockett and his vice chief,Charles A. Curtze, submitted resignations from their posts at BuShips and requested early retirement in October 1965 in protest overSecretary of Defense McNamara's increasing centralization of military power inThe Pentagon.[19] Brockett retired on February 1, 1966 after being succeeded by Edward J. Fahy.[14][15]
Brockett spoke at the commissioning of theUSS Gallup (PGM-85) on October 22, 1966.[20]
Brockett was awarded theLegion of Merit for his service as Chief of the Bureau of Ships.[15]
The Webb Institute sponsors an annual scholarship in Brockett's honor.[21]
In 1939, Brockett married Juana Sutton (February 7, 1912 – October 7, 2004). She was an actress best known for her supporting role inCharlie Chaplin's 1936 filmModern Times. They had a son and a daughter.[22][23]
Their son William Alden Brockett Jr. (January 12, 1941 – June 15, 1996) was a 1962 Naval Academy graduate who later attended law school atYale University and became a successful California defense attorney.[23][24]
Brockett died inSan Diego,California on September 23, 1984.[1][25]