Lee Baggett Jr.
Born(1927-01-11)January 11, 1927
Oxford, Mississippi
DiedAugust 10, 1999(1999-08-10) (aged 72)
San Diego, California
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1950–1988
RankAdmiral
Commands heldUnited States Atlantic Command
United States Naval Forces Europe
Naval Surface Force Pacific
Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific
USS Reeves
USS Decatur
USS Firm
USS Courlan
Battles/warsKorean War
Vietnam War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Meritorious Service Medal

Lee J. Baggett Jr. (January 11, 1927 – August 10, 1999) was a four star admiral in the United States Navy who served as Commander in Chief Europe in 1985 and Commander in Chief of the United States Atlantic Command from 1985 to 1988.[1]

A native of Oxford, Mississippi, Baggett studied civil engineering at the University of Mississippi for two years before entering the United States Naval Academy. He was commissioned in 1950 after earning his B.S. degree. Baggett later received an M.S. degree in nuclear physics from the Naval Postgraduate School. His May 1958 thesis entitled π−-p Elastic Scattering and Single Pion Production at 0.939 Bev/c was based on research conducted at the Radiation Laboratory of the University of California, Berkeley. Baggett also studied at the Naval War College.[2][3][4][5]

A career surface warfare officer, Baggett commanded two minesweepers and two guided missile destroyers.[4][5] As a vice admiral, he served as commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific from May 1979 to July 1982.[6][7]

Baggett died in 1999 of heart disease.[8] He was interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.[9]

Awards and decorations

Gold star
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Badge Surface Warfare Officer Pin
1st Row Defense Distinguished Service Medal
2nd row Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal with award star
3rd row Meritorious Service Medal Combat Action Ribbon Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze service star
4th row National Defense Service Medal with service star Korean Service Medal with four service stars Vietnam Service Medal with two service stars
5th row Vietnam Navy Distinguished Service Order, 2nd class United Nations Korea Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal

References

  1. ^ "The Virginian-Pilot Archives". Nl.newsbank.com. 1999-08-19. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  2. ^ Lucky Bag (PDF). Annapolis, Maryland: U.S. Naval Academy. 1950. p. 365. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  3. ^ Baggett, L. Jr. (May 28, 1958). π−-p Elastic Scattering and Single Pion Production at 0.939 Bev/c. U.S. Department of Energy (Thesis). OSTI 4326535. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  4. ^ a b "Atlantic Command Changes". Surface Warfare. Vol. 11, no. 1. January–February 1986. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  5. ^ a b "Admiral Lee Baggett, Jr.". Department of Defense Appropriations for 1989: Hearings before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundredth Congress, Second Session. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1988. p. 94. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  6. ^ "Adm. Baggett to assume command of Pacific Fleet Surface Force". Coronado Journal. Vol. 66, no. 22. May 31, 1979. p. 5. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  7. ^ "Adm. Schrader given new command". Coronado Journal. Vol. 69, no. 29. July 29, 1982. p. 6. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  8. ^ "ProQuest Archiver: Titles". Pqarchiver.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  9. ^ "Baggett, Lee Jr". Nationwide Gravesite Locator. National Cemetery Administration. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
Categories