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Photo # NH 49967:  Admiral Harold R. Stark, April 1940

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN (1880-1972) --
8th Chief of Naval Operations, 1 August 1939 - 26 March 1942

Harold Rainsford Stark was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on 12 November 1880. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1899 and graduated with the Class of 1903. In 1907-09, he served in the battleship Minnesota before and during the Atlantic Fleet's epic cruise around the World. Subsequently, Stark had extensive duty in torpedo boats and destroyers, including command of the Asiatic Fleet's Torpedo Flotilla in 1917, when these old and small destroyers steamed from the Philippines to the Mediterranean to join in World War I operations. Commander Stark served on the staff of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces operating in European Waters from November 1917 to January 1919.

Following the First World War, Stark was Executive Officer of the battleships North Dakota and West Virginia, attended the Naval War College, commanded the ammunition ship Nitro and served in Naval Ordance positions. During the later 1920s and into the mid-1930s, in the rank of Captain, he was successively Chief of Staff to Commander, Destroyer Squadrons Battle Fleet, Aide to the Secretary of the Navy, and Commanding Officer of USS West Virginia. From 1934 to 1937, Rear Admiral Stark was Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. He then served at sea as Commander Cruiser Division THREE and Commander, Cruisers, Battle Force.

In August 1939, Stark became Chief of Naval Operations, with the rank of Admiral. In that position, he oversaw the great expansion of the Navy during 1940-41, its involvement in an undeclared war against German submarines in the Atlantic during the latter part of 1941 and the combat operations against Japan and the European Axis Powers that began in December 1941. In March 1942, Stark was relieved as CNO by Admiral Ernest J. King. He went to England the next month to become Commander, U.S. Forces in Europe.

From his London Headquarters, Admiral Stark directed the Naval part of the great buildup in England and U.S. Naval operations and training activities on the European side of the Atlantic. He received the additional title of Commander, TWELFTH Fleet, in October 1943 and supervised U.S. Navy participation in the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Admiral Stark's diplomatic talents were much in evidence as he built and maintained close relations with British civilian and Naval leaders, and with the leaders of other Allied powers. From August 1945 until he left active duty in April 1946, he served in Washington, D.C., and made his home there after retirement. Admiral Harold R. Stark died on 21 August 1972.

USS Stark (FFG-31) was named in honor of Admiral Stark.

This page features selected views of Admiral Harold R. Stark.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 93275

Lieutenant Harold Raynsford Stark, USN


Portrait photograph by Vaughan & Keith, San Francisco, California. It was probably taken when Lt. Stark's ship, USS Minnesota (BB-22) was visiting San Francisco in 1908, during the "Great White Fleet"'s World cruise.

Collection of Admiral Harold R. Stark.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 59KB; 585 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 93280

Captain Harold R. Stark, USN


Photograph taken circa 1926-34.

Collection of Admiral Harold R. Stark.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 51KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 49928

Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN
,
Chief of Naval Operations

Photographed in his office, reading the "Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy" for Fiscal Year 1938.
The photograph may have been taken on 1 August 1939, as Admiral Stark is wearing the same suit and tie as when he took the Oath of Office as Chief of Naval Operations on that date. See Photo # NH 57314.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 49967

Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN
,
Chief of Naval Operations

Portrait photograph, taken 1 April 1940.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 80KB; 595 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-42994

Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN
,
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Europe

On board a U.S. Navy battleship at Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, in 1943.
The original photograph is dated 16 September 1943, at which time there were no U.S. battleships in the area of the United Kingdom. This ship appears to be USS South Dakota (BB-57). If it is she, the photograph was probably taken in June-July 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 90KB; 600 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: NH 65906-KN (Color)

Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN,
Chief of Naval Operations, August 1939 - March 1942

Portrait in oils by Bjorn Egeli.

Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C. Donated by Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN (Retired), 1959.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 44KB; 540 x 675 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 75776

Secretary of the Navy Charles Francis Adams
(left),
and
Captain Harold R. Stark, USN, Aide to the Secretary of the Navy

On the signal bridge of USS Texas (BB-35), March 1931.
Note leg of the ship's tripod foremast behind them.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral William V. Pratt.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 580 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 57314

Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN
(second from right)

Takes the Oath of Office as Chief of Naval Operations, in the Secretary of the Navy's office, Navy Department, Washington, D.C., on 1 August 1939.
Administering the oath is Rear Admiral Walter B. Woodson, USN, Judge Advocate General. Witnesses are Acting Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison (2nd from left) and the outgoing Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral William D. Leahy, USN, (at left).
A portrait of Civil War era Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles is in the background.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 93290

Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN


Is congratulated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, from whom he has just received a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal, in ceremonies at the White House, April 1942.

Collection of Admiral Harold R. Stark.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 98KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 70490

Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox
(right),
and
Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Europe

Reading in their railway car, while coming back from a visit to Scapa Flow in September 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 93307

Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN
,
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Europe

Visits hospitalized casualties during a European trip, circa 1945.

Collection of Admiral Harold R. Stark.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

4 April 2001