Rodger W. Simpson
{{Infobox military person
|name= Rodger Whitten Simpson
|image= ANCExplorer Rodger W. Simpson grave.jpg
|caption= Grave at Arlington National Cemetery
|birth_date= {{birth date|1898|6|4}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|1964|12|10|1898|6|4}}
|birth_place= Portland, Oregon, U.S.
|death_place=
|nickname=
|allegiance= United States of America
|branch= 25px United States Navy
|serviceyears=
|rank= 30px Rear Admiral
|commands=
{{USS|Mahan|DD-364|3}}
Destroyer Division 15
{{USS|Atlanta|CL-104|3}}
Task Flotilla 6
|unit=
|battles= World War I
World War II
|awards= Navy Cross (2)
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
|laterwork=
}}
Rodger Whitten Simpson (June 4, 1898 – December 10, 1964) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy, who distinguished himself during World War II. The frigate {{USS|Simpson|FFG-56}} was named in his honor.
Biography
Simpson attended the University of Oregon for a year before entering the United States Naval Academy in June 1917. Midshipman Simpson served on the battleship {{USS|Ohio|BB-12|3}}, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean and part of Atlantic Fleet during World War I. Simpson was commissioned an ensign during June 1920, graduating in the class of 1921.{{Cite web
|url = http://www.simpson.navy.mil/Site%20Pages/RADM.aspx
|title = Rear Admiral Rodger W. Simpson
|work = simpson.navy.mil
|accessdate = 7 November 2010
}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
He commanded the destroyer {{USS|Mahan|DD-364|3}} as a lieutenant commander during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. Promoted to commander, he commanded Destroyer Division (DesDiv) 15, made up of the {{USS|Sterett|DD-407|3}}, {{USS|Stack|DD-406|3}}, and {{USS|Lang|DD-399|3}}, which, along with three ships of DesDiv 12 under Commander Frederick Moosbrugger, sank three Japanese destroyers and damaged one in the Battle of Vella Gulf, 6–7 August 1943.
Simpson also served tours as commander, Training Command, Marianas; commander, Fleet Training Group, Western Pacific; Commander, Underway Training Unit, Guam; commanding officer, {{USS|Atlanta|CL-104|3}}; and commanding officer, Naval Station Treasure Island.
On April 6, 1944, Commodore Simpson commanded Task Flotilla 6. He orchestrated and planned the rescue of over 7,500 Allied prisoners of war and civilians interned in Japanese concentration camps.
In 1945, the Navy's Task Group 30.6 commanded by Commodore Simpson arrived in Tokyo Bay to undertake the emergency evacuation of Allied POWs in waterfront areas. Accompanying Simpson were Commander Harold E. Stassen, USNR, flag secretary to commander, Third Fleet, and Admiral William F. Halsey.
For this rescue, he was honored with the Legion of Merit. The citation in part reads, ". . . by freeing the prisoners before the actual signing of the surrender, he saved the lives of hundreds of sick and starving U.S. service people . . . ."
Simpson retired in 1951.
Duty stations
- {{USS|Ohio|BB-12}}
- {{USS|Brooklyn|CL-40}}
- {{USS|Farquhar|DE-139}}
- {{USS|Twiggs|DD-591}}
- {{USS|Sloat|DE-245}}
- {{USS|William Jones|DD-308}}
- {{USS|Ludlow|DD-438}}
- {{USS|Whippoorwill|AMS-207}}
Awards and decorations
Among Rear Admiral Simpson's decorations and medals were the following:
| {{ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Cross ribbon.svg|width=60}} Navy Cross with Gold Star |
| 60px Silver Star |
| {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=60}} Legion of Merit |
| {{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} World War I Victory Medal Atlantic Fleet Clasp, {{USS|Ohio|BB-12}} |
| 60px American Defense Service Medal Fleet Clasp |
| 60px American Campaign Medal |
| 60px World War II Victory Medal |
| 60px National Defense Service Medal |
| {{ribbon devices|number=10|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg|width=60}} Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Silver Stars (ten engagements) |
| 60px Philippine Liberation Medal |
Photographs
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20040422150530/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/g490000/g497991.jpg Rodger W. Simpson, Change of Command 1948 USS Atlanta]
- [https://archive.today/20121212212151/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/g470000/g473723c.htm Rear Admiral Simpson Questioning Japanese Prisoners]
- [https://archive.today/20121213050846/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/g700000/g700864c.htm Simpson And Cmdr Harold Stassen]
- [https://archive.today/20121212213733/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/japansur/js-6f.htm Liberation of Allied Prisoners of War]
References
{{reflist}}
{{NHC}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Rodger}}
Category:Military personnel from Portland, Oregon
Category:United States Navy admirals
Category:United States Naval Academy alumni
Category:United States Navy personnel of World War I
Category:United States Navy World War II admirals
Category:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
Category:Recipients of the Silver Star