Mahlon Street Tisdale (December 6, 1890 – July 12, 1972) was an officer of the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

. He was awarded two

Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the United States Naval Service's second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is equivalent to the Army ...

es, one for staff service in World War I, and another during the

Battle of Tassafaronga The Battle of Tassafaronga, sometimes referred to as the Fourth Battle of Savo Island or in Japanese sources as the , was a nighttime naval battle that took place on 30 November 1942 between United States Navy and Imperial Japanese Navy warships ...

in World War II.

Early life and education

Tisdale was born on December 6, 1890, in

Wenona, Illinois Wenona is a city in Marshall and LaSalle counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 974 at the 2020 census. The Marshall County portion of Wenona is part of the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the small portion th ...

. He was appointed to the

United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy (USNA, Navy, or Annapolis) is a United States Service academies, federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during the tenure of George Bancroft as United States Secre ...

in 1908 and graduated with a commission as an

Ensign Ensign most often refers to: * Ensign (flag), a flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality * Ensign (rank), a navy (and former army) officer rank Ensign or The Ensign may also refer to: Places * Ensign, Alberta, Alberta, Canada * Ensign, Ka ...

in the

on 7 June 1912. His Naval Academy classmates included future Admirals Daniel E. Barbey, Elliot Buckmaster, Louis E. Denfield, Charles A. Lockwood,

Charles P. Mason Charles Perry Mason (January 12, 1891 – August 15, 1971) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of vice admiral. An early naval aviator, he distinguished himself as commanding officer of aircraft carrier , w ...

, Alfred E. Montgomery, DeWitt C. Ramsey,

Louis Wenzell Louis Peter Wenzell (February 10, 1888 – August 13, 1955) was the head men's basketball coach at the United States Naval Academy during the 1912–13 NCAA men's basketball season. In his only season, Wenzell guided the Midshipmen to a perfect 9 ...

, and Carleton F. Wright. Before World War I, Tisdale served aboard cruisers and . Aboard USS ''Salem'', Tisdale participated in the Veracruz Expedition in 1914. When United States entered the World War I, Tisdale was appointed an Aide and Flag secretary on the staff of Commander Patrol Force, Atlantic Fleet and later served on , as Aide on the staff of Vice Admiral Henry Braid Wilson Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in France. For this service, Tisdale received a

. After return to the United States in January 1919, Tisdale served as executive officer on . He stayed in this capacity until March 1920, when he was transferred to . In January 1921, he was transfer to the staff of the Commander, Battleship Division Six, Pacific Fleet, where he served aboard as division radio officer. In June 1921, Tisdale was transferred to the Naval Academy, where he became a superintendent. Subsequently, Tisdale received his first command, when he served as commander of the from October 23, 1926, until June 1928.

Career

Tisdale's career including surface command (), , various staff positions, and Commander, Destroyers, Pacific Fleet (

ComDesPac {{Short description, Defunct American naval command of the 1940s The Destroyer Force, United States Pacific Fleet, usually known as COMDESPAC, was a type command of the United States Pacific Fleet from 1940 until the Destroyer Force was combined wit ...

) during World War II. He was also Commandant of Midshipmen at the

at the start of World War II. After his superior's ship was put out of action during the

, he assumed command of the task force, continuing the battle from the . For his actions, Tisdale was awarded a star to his existing Navy Cross.

Awards and decorations

Legacy

The Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate was named in his honor.

References

External links

US Navy Biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tisdale, Mahlon 1890 births 1972 deaths United States Navy personnel of World War I United States Navy World War II admirals United States Navy admirals United States Naval Academy alumni Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Legion of Merit