Admiral Ellis, afler .‘18 years in the
Navy, runs a tight ship in the Mediter-
ranean.
By CALVIN JARKETT
Vice Admirol Ellis
6th Fleet in Tar Heel Hands
The new commanding admiral of
the U. S. 6th Fleet, Vice Admiral Wil¬
liam Edward Ellis, was a naval air
hero during World War II. With 3S
years in the U. S. Navy, he is an of¬
ficer who runs a taut ship.
Admiral Ellis was born in Burling¬
ton on November 7, 1908. a son of
С.
B. and Margaret C. (Cannady)
Ellis. He attended school in Burlington
prior to his appointment to the U. S.
Naval Academy in 1926. Commis¬
sioned as an ensign on June 5, 1930.
he steadily advanced in rank, becom¬
ing a rear admiral August I. 1958.
and vice admiral. June 2. 1964.
While at Corpus Christi, Texas, he
assumed command of Escort Fighting
Squadron Twenty Six in April 1942.
For meritorious service in the latter
capacity during the assault on and
occupation of French Morocco from
November 8 to II. 1942, Ellis received
a Letter of Commendation, with au¬
thorization to wear the Commenda¬
tion Ribbon from the Commander in
Chief. U. S. Atlantic Fleet.
In August 1943 Ellis became Com¬
manding Officer of Air Group Eigh¬
teen. and for outstanding service in
that command was awarded the Air
Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross,
and the Navy Cross (the navy's high¬
est medal for bravery). The citations
follow in part:
Air Medal: "For meritorious achieve¬
ment ... as Commanding Officer
of an Air Group attached to the
USS 'Intrepid,' in action against
enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific
Area from September 7 to 24. 1944.
Skillfully directing his group in its first
combat operation (he), was largely
responsible for the successful comple¬
tion of a hazardous assignment. . . ."
Distinguished Flying Cross: "For
heroism and extraordinary achieve¬
ment ... as Target Coordinator of a
strike composed of planes from the
USS Bunker Hill* and the USS 'In¬
trepid.' during action against enemy
Jananesc forces in the vicinity of the
Philippine Islands, on October 18.
1944. Alert and aggressive as he
scouted islands north of Luzon, (he)
sighted four large enemy transports
concealed in a bay and, immediately
directing his flight to the target area,
skillfully led them in pressing home
devastating attacks to account for all
four within a short period of time. . . .
He contributed in large measure to
the destruction of enemy shipping and
personnel. . . ."
Navy Cross: "For extraordinary
heroism . . . during operations against
Japanese forces in the vicinity of the
Philippine Islands, on October 24.
1944. Serving as target coordinator
during the initial strike against major
Japanese task forces in the Sibuyan
Sea. (he) boldly circled within peril¬
ously close range of powerful enemy
antiaircraft fields and cooly directed
the attacks of our airmen against
hostile warships. Flying approximately
ten hours a day throughout three days
of furious action, he skillfully led co¬
ordinated strikes against one force con¬
sisting of thirteen destroyers, eight
cruisers, and four battleships, and a
second force of enemy carriers, which
contributed in large measure to the
sinking or damaging of enemy war¬
ships. By his brilliant leadership and
aggressive initiative and daring com¬
bat tactics, (he) was in large mea¬
sure responsible for the success of this
decisive engagement. . . ."
Continuing duty in the "Intrepid,"
Ellis served from November 1944 to
April 1945 as Air Officer, and for the
next seven months was Executive Of¬
ficer. In July 1948 he became Com¬
manding Officer of the Fleet All
Weather Training Unit. Atlantic, with
headquarters at Boca Chica Airfield.
Naval Air Station. Key West. Florida.
He commanded the attack aircraft car¬
rier "Forrestal" in 1956 and 1957 and
in April of that year was ordered to
duty as Chief of Staff and Aide to
Commander Carrier Division Six.
On July IS. 1958 his selection for
the rank of Rear Admiral was ap¬
proved by the President. On June 2.
1964 Ellis was promoted to the three-
star rank of Vice Admiral and was
appointed Commander Sixth fleet and
( Continued on page 38 >
1 5
THE STATE. OCTOOER 15. 1965
