Arthur P. Fairfield

Arthur Philip Fairfield (October 29, 1877 – December 14, 1946) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy.

Biography

Born in Saco, Maine, Fairfield served on the protected cruiser Columbia during the Spanish–American War, before graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1901.

In World War I, Commander Fairfield commissioned the destroyer Gregory on 1 June 1918, and while commanding the destroyer McDougal earned the award of the Navy Cross for his "prompt and efficient action in contact on September 8 with a submarine which attempted an attack upon a convoy".

Commander Fairfield taught at the United States Naval Academy following World War I, where he compiled a new Naval Academy textbook Naval Ordnance in 1920 for publication in 1921.

Captain Fairfield commanded the heavy cruiser Chester from 1930–1932, and in 1936 commanded Squadron 40-T, a special temporary squadron, organized to evacuate American nationals from the Spanish Civil War areas. With the light cruiser Raleigh as his flagship Rear Admiral Fairfield sailed with the destroyers Kane and Hatfield and the Coast Guard Cutter Cayuga to Spain, and saved hundreds of Americans and other nationals from the dangers of the war.

In 1938-1939 Fairfield served as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations, and in 1939-1940, was commander of Battleship Division Three of the United States Fleet.

Fairfield retired in 1941, but was called back to active duty after the U.S. entered World War II. He served as an advisor to the Maritime Commission, and was Chairman of the Board of Medals and Decorations, among other duties.

Fairfield retired again in 1945, and died on December 14, 1946.

Namesake

The Liberty ship, launched in June 1944 as the William Hodson, which served as the Chung Tung under Lend-Lease to the Republic of China, was renamed Arthur P. Fairfield in 1947, then Admiral Arthur P. Fairfield in 1948, while being operated by the American Pacific Steamship Company.