Oscar C. Badger II

Oscar Charles Badger II
Born	(1890-06-26)June 26, 1890 Washington, D.C.
Died
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1911 - 1952
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	USS Worden USS North Carolina Destroyers, Atlantic Fleet Service Squadrons, South Pacific Battleship Division 7 11th Naval District Eastern Sea Frontier Naval Forces Western Pacific
Battles/wars	Mexican campaign, Vera Cruz World War I World War II
Awards	Medal of Honor Navy Cross
Relations	Commodore Oscar C. Badger, grandfather Admiral Charles J. Badger, father

Oscar Charles Badger II (June 26, 1890 – November 30, 1958) was an admiral of the United States Navy who served in both World Wars, and, as a junior officer, received the Medal of Honor.

Early history

The grandson of Commodore Oscar C. Badger (1823–1899), son of Admiral Charles J. Badger (1853–1932) and a cousin of Secretary of the Navy George E. Badger (1795–1866), Oscar Badger II was born June 26, 1890, in Washington, D.C. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1911.

Naval career

Veracruz Occupation

As an ensign in USS Utah (BB-31), in 1914 he participated in the U.S. occupation of Veracruz. Several thousand American troops landed, in an effort to force out General Victoriano Huerta, who had seized power in Mexico. Fifty-five men were received the Medal of Honor for this action, including seven leaders of the battleship's 'bluejacket battalion'. Badger was cited, "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and April 22, 1914. Ens. Badger was in both days' fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage."

World War I and interwar service

Badger served with the destroyer force in European waters during World War I. Following the war, he served as gunnery officer on various ships. He was then assigned to duty with the Bureau of Ordnance.

World War II

In 1941, Captain Badger took command of USS North Carolina (BB-55) and in 1942, after promotion to Rear Admiral, was Commander Destroyers Atlantic Fleet and subsequently Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Logistics Plans. In February 1944 he became Commander Service Squadrons South Pacific and in October Commander Battleship Division 7. Badger was the first Navy officer to step ashore in Japan at the end of World War II.

Postwar service

On January 19, 1948, Badger was promoted to vice admiral and, the following month, became Commander, Naval Forces, Far East. In that post, he observed the gradual loss of the Chinese mainland to Communist forces and supervised the retirement of American forces to port cities on the China coast. Following his service as commander of Western Pacific naval forces, Badger was appointed as Commander, Naval Forces, Western Pacific, later commanding the Eleventh Naval District, and the Eastern Sea Frontier.

On June 19, 1951, during congressional hearings on the loss of China, Vice-Admiral Badger testified that the U.S. arms embargo against Nationalist China led to a loss of capability and morale that resulted in their defeat by Communist Chinese forces led by Mao Tse-Tung.

He retired from the U.S. Navy in June 1952 with the rank of full admiral.

Admiral Badger died on November 30, 1958 and was buried in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery.

Legacy

Officially, USS Badger (FF-1071) was named in honor of all the members of the Badger family who served in the U.S. Navy, but when she was launched in 1968, her sponsor, Isabelle Austen Badger, Adm. Badger's widow, said "I christen thee Oscar Charles Badger II!".

Medal of Honor citation

Admiral Badger received the Medal of Honor for actions in the Veracruz Occupation December 4, 1915 as an Ensign. The medal was Accredited to: District of Columbia. G.O. No.: 177.

Citation:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Ens. Badger was in both days' fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage.

Awards

• Medal of Honor
• Navy Cross
• Mexican Service Medal
• World War I Victory Medal
• American Defense Service Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• Navy Occupation Medal
• National Defense Service Medal

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz)