Placing a spotlight on Rear Admiral William Ammon, overlooked naval officer from York, Pa.
York, Pa., native William Ammon commanded the USS Panamint, an amphibious force command ship in World War II. He was one of many admirals and generals with York County roots. Also of interest: William Penn Senior High School Hall of Fame honors a host of York County achievers and York County high school grads teach lessons in achievement on national stage and York County native Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr. assumed major role in guarding post-9/11 D.C.
Ellie Shoemaker is a student of York County history and author of a recent book of the York County park system.
And she put forth the name of an often-overlooked admiral with York County roots: Rear Admiral William Ammon. (See list of other ranking officers here.)
He’s also another achiever with a York High or William Penn Senior High School diploma.
He graduated from York High in 1918 and became a member of the U.S. Naval Academy’s class of 1923.
Here’s more bio information on the World War II commander from Ellie:
During his 36 year career as a naval officer, Admiral Ammon served as
assistant director, Division of Naval Communications, from 1948-51 and
finally as director of Naval Communications office from 1952-55. Earlier,
service included 1939 post as Assistant Naval Attaché to the US Embassy in
London. Two years later, he commanded the convoy USS Madison (a destroyer) and later the
USS Panamint which took part in the occupation of Japan. After the conflict,
he became Assistant Chief of Staff for communications of the Pacific. For
action during World War II he received the British Distinguished Service
Cross and the Navy Commendation ribbon with the Bronze Star. In February
1951, he was detached from duty as assistant director, Naval Communications
to take command of the Destroyer Flotilla Three of the Pacific Fleet. That
April, he also became administrative representative of commander, cruiser
destroyer of the Pacific fleet and served in the Far East. On his return he
became Naval Communications Director. The Admiral was a member of the first
graduating class of the National War College 1946-47. Admiral Ammon was the
son of William L. Ammon a former District Attorney of York County and he was
a member of the class of 1918 of York High School. He was awarded the Class
of 1897 Sword as an honor upon his graduation from the Naval Academy. He
earned a master’s degree in Engineering from Harvard University.
Ellie wrote that he ended his long career as deputy commandant in1958-59 of the National War College in Washington,
D.C.
And how does Ellie know so much about Admiral Ammon?
“His wife, Anne Adair Burlingame Ammon, was my dear friend,” she wrote. “She died in
York in 1990. Admiral Ammon died in 1959.”
Also of interest, again
William Penn Senior High School Hall of Fame honors a host of York County achievers and York County high school grads teach lessons in achievement on national stage and York County native Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr. assumed major role in guarding post-9/11 D.C.
Archives
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Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org
