William N. Small
Admiral William N. Small in 1983
Nickname(s)"Smally"
Born(1927-02-22)February 22, 1927
Little Rock, Arkansas, US
DiedDecember 9, 2016(2016-12-09) (aged 89)
Virginia Beach, Virginia, US
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1948–1985[1]
RankAdmiral
Commands heldAllied Forces Southern Europe
United States Naval Forces Europe
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
United States Sixth Fleet
Carrier Division 3
USS Independence (CV 62)
VA-65
VA-42
Battles/warsWorld War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (2)

William Newell Small (February 22, 1927 – December 9, 2016) was a four star admiral in the United States Navy who served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations and Commander in Chief, NATO Allied Forces Southern Europe and United States Naval Forces Europe.

Early life and education

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on February 22, 1927, Small graduated from Malvern High School at the age of 15, attending Admiral Farragut Military Academy in Pine Beach, New Jersey until he was old enough to receive his appointment to the United States Naval Academy, class of 1948. He later completed the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College in 1962.[2]

Naval career

Small served as Executive Officer of USS Forrestal (CV 59) and as Commanding officer of Fighter Attack Squadron Four Two (VA-42), Fighter Attack Squadron Six Five (VA-65), and USS Independence (CV 62). As a Flag Officer, he served as Commander Carrier Division 3, Pacific from 1975 to 1976;[3] and Commander United States Sixth Fleet.

Small was Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 1981 to 1983 and Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces Europe/Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe from 1983 to 1985.[4][5]

The Arkansas Aviation Historical Society inducted Small into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 1992.[6] He died on December 9, 2016, at the age of 89.[1]

Decorations and medals

Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Naval Aviator Badge
1st Row Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star Legion of Merit with award star
2nd row Air Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with award star
3rd row Air Force Commendation Medal Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze service star Navy Unit Commendation
4th row Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy Expeditionary Medal China Service Medal
5th row American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal
6th Row National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star Korean Service Medal with three service stars Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
7th Row Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
7th row Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation United Nations Korea Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal

References

  1. ^ a b "William Small Obituary - Virginia Beach, VA". legacy.com. The Virginian Pilot via legacy.com. December 18, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  2. ^ Register of Officers 1884–1977. The United States Naval War College. 1977. pp. 155, 160. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  3. ^ "Carrier Strike Group 3 — History". United States Navy. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  4. ^ Who's who in government - Marquis Who's Who, LLC, Biographical Research Bureau - Google Books. Marquis Who's Who. November 1977. ISBN 9780837912035. Retrieved 2012-03-09 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ UPI (1983-04-02). "Reagan Nominates Admiral". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  6. ^ Arkansas Aviation Historical Society Collection. ((cite book)): |work= ignored (help)
Military offices Preceded byJames D. Watkins Vice Chief of Naval Operations 1981–1983 Succeeded byRonald J. Hays


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