Alfred E. Montgomery

Who was Alfred E. Montgomery?

Vice Admiral Alfred Eugene Montgomery was an officer in the United States Navy who served in World War I and World War II. A graduate of the Naval Academy, he participated in operations on the Mexican Border. He trained for submarines, and became executive officer of the submarine USS E-1. In November 1914 he reported to the Mare Island Naval Shipyard where the new submarine USS F-1 was being fitted out, and served as its commander from June 1917 until it was lost on 17 December 1917.

In June 1922, Montgomery qualified as a naval aviator. He commanded observation and torpedo squadrons, and was Executive Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger from November 1936 until June 1938, and its commanding officer from June 1940 to June 1941. In June 1941, he became Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Aircraft, Atlantic Fleet. He became commander of Carrier Division 12, flying his flag on USS Essex in August 1943, and commander of Carrier Division 3 in March 1944, with his flag on USS Bunker Hill. As such, he commanded a Task Group of the Fast Carrier Task Force in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Philippines campaign.