 William Kearney Phillips USN, (Ret) Plankowner, Captain of USS OAKLAND CL-95 Acknowledgements It is only fitting that I
use the speech
of D. T. Rohde CDR USN Ret.(SC) USN
Plankowner Supply Officer USS OAKLAND (CL-95) delivered at the 1 Aug 1988 Toledo, OH Reunion. I can't say enough about CDR Rohde when it comes time for a speech or something to do with or about the USS OAKLAND he will be there. Thank you Don and God Bless. Thanks to Kathleen
(Pike) Lowe for
the image of Captain William K. Phillips.
Robert L. Cole Sr SoM1c
Plankowner
for the images of Mausoleum in Sherman, Texas
where Admiral William K. Phillips and Anges Cherry Phillips were laid
to rest.
May they and Robert Cole who has also passed away rest in peace.
I
would like to thank
the Naval
Order of the United States for permission to use their
Admiras List of Distinguished Members Current and Former Companions of the
Naval Order. If you would like to visit this web site please do so at
this
URL http://www.navalorder.org.
 MEMORIAL TO
First Captain of USS OAKLAND CL-95 1894-1986 
It is a pleasure and an
honor to
be given the opportunity to talk with you about the
finest naval officer all of us have ever known. It is most fitting that
we are doing so while gathered here at
Reunion
IX of one of the fightinest ships the U.S. Navy
ever had. To all of us, for all time, USS OAKLAND and CAPT Phillips are synonymous. We can't think of one without thinking of the other, for he was our Skipper, our leader, our inspiration, and we love him as only sailors can love the man who led them in battle.
I promised myself I
would keep this
short, but how do you "say a few words"
about someone who had such a hold on your life for over a year at sea under wartime conditions, and who will always be in our hearts and minds.
We all have copies of
the data from
the U. S. Navy Historical Division, provided
earlier by MCGM Larry Reilly. So, I will not review that information,
but
I want to summarize the duties Admiral
Phillips
had during his career, for that is the true measure
of the ability and experience of an officer. During his 38 years of
active naval
service, spanning three wars, he had the following sea duties:
 Served in 4 submarines and was
Captain
of 2  Captain of 2 destroyers
In addition, he had important shore duty assignments. That is the record of a real seagoing sailor. I have never known another naval officer who had duty in cruisers, destroyers, submarines and dirigibles; in other words, underseas, on the surface, and in the air. A remarkable record! Now,
you can see from
this list
that he had had a broad seagoing experience of some
26 years when he reported as Prospective CO of USS OAKLAND. That is why
he was such an inspiration to us - he was the very epitome of a naval
officer, I am sure that you all have memories of his popping up at odd times, in unexpected places. He had a sharp eye for detail, and a kindly way of talking to the seamen, as well as the chiefs and the officers. But it was not always so; he could bring you "up with a round turn" if he found you in error. But it was a great comfort to all of us that he was not just a mythical figure up in his ivory tower (the Bridge), but a real warm person who was to be seen in the engine room as well as the ship's office, in after steering as well as a storeroom, and who knew what we were all doing. Those days are gone forever. It was 45 years ago that we joined the ship, almost half a century since, but these thoughts remain an almost sacred part of our memories, to a large degree due to our Skipper, who made such an impression on our lives. Admiral Phillips entered the Naval Academy in 1913, a year before WW I broke out in Europe. He served his country admirably for 42 years, being transferred to the Retired List of the Navy in 1955. He was much decorated and highly respected by his juniors, his peers, and his seniors, and will forever live in the memories of all of us, as a great, human, warm, competent gentleman and naval officer. As we think about him today, and pay tribute to his memory, I'm certain that he is looking down on us from his place of honor in that great Valhalla in the sky, where all sailors finally go, to rest on their laurels and relish the memories of a long honorable life in the service of their country. Requiescat in pace! --------- May he rest in peace! This document is the property of CDR. Donald T. Rohde. copyright @http://www.rtcol.com/~oakland
Thanks to Robert L. Cole for the images of Mausoleum in Sherman, Texas
The Admirals List
of
Distinguished Members Current and Former Companions of the Naval Order
 This
Web Page was created by and
is maintained by Paul D.Henriott. Last updated 26 March 2006 |
