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Admiral Harry E. Yarnell Harry Ervin Yarnell was born in Iowa, near Independence, on October 18, 1875. He attended country schools and the Independence High School, and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from the Third Iowa District in 1887. He was graduated with distinction, ranking fourth, in the class of 1897. He served at sea for two years as required by law before being commissioned as Ensign, U.S. Navy, on July 1. 1899. Subsequently he served aboard various vessels in the Asiatic Fleet during the Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer Rebellion.
Rear Admiral Yarnell was transferred to the retired list of the US Navy in his permanent rank of Rear Admiral, and, on July 16, 1942, was advanced to the rank of Admiral in accordance with legislation. He was recalled to active duty during the period of emergency prior to the outbreak of World War II to serve in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy as Special Advisor to the Chinese Military Mission, and later in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, until relieved of all active duty in December 1944. He resided in Newport, Rhode Island until his death on July 2, 1959. |
Captain Yarnell commissioned the SARATOGA, on November
16, 1927 and served as her commanding officer until
September, 1928, when hi was appointed Chief of the
Bureau of Engineering and Engineer in Chief of the US
Navy with the accompanying rank of Rear Admiral. In
October 1936, he was designated Commander in Chief
,Asiatic Fleet with the rank of Admiral. For his services
as Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet he was awarded the
Distinguished Service Medal for which his citation states
in part, "He has shown such exceptional ability,
courage, tact, and devotion to duty...That he deserves
the nation's highest praise..."