Albert Harold Rooks
Captain Albert Harold Rooks, (29 December, 1891 – 1 March, 1942) served in the United States Navy.
Life & Career
Albert Harold Rooks was born in Colville, Washington on 29 December, 1891. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from his home state and entered as a Midshipman on 13 July, 1910, graduating with the Class of 1914.[1]
Rooks was promoted to the rank of Ensign on 6 June, 1914, and was appointed to the West Virginia on 10 July, 1914.[2]
Rooks was promoted to the rank of Commander on 27 January, 1935.[3] He was given command of the new destroyer Phelps on 26 February, 1936.[4]
Rooks was assigned to duty on the staff of the Naval War College, Newport on 19 May, 1939.[5]
Rooks was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 July, 1940.[6] Subsequently appointed to command the heavy cruiser Houston, Rooks and his command were part of the Asiatic Fleet and were thus square in the path of the major Japanese offensives into the Dutch East Indies. After four months of ceaseless defensive operations, Houston was sunk in the Battle of Sunda Strait alongside the Australian light cruiser Perth. Rooks was killed during the battle and subsequently received the Medal of Honor.
See Also
Bibliography
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Kirkwood H. Donavin |
Captain of U.S.S. A-5 before 1916[7] – after 1 Jan, 1917[8] |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by Howard B. Berry |
Captain of U.S.S. F-2 before 1 Jan, 1919[9] |
Succeeded by Arthur E. Bartlett |
Footnotes
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1912. p. 135.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1915. pp. 72-73..
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1936. p. 38.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1936. pp. 38-39.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1940. pp. 34-35.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1941. p. 28.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1916. p. 68.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1917. p. 64.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1919. pp. 64-65.
