Willard A. Kitts
Willard Augustus Kitts III | |
|---|---|
Kitts as Rear admiral | |
| Born | April 14, 1894 Oswego, New York, US |
| Died | November 21, 1964 (aged 70) Bethesda, Maryland, US |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1916–1951 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands | Naval Proving Ground Dahlgren Training Command, Pacific Fleet Cruiser Division Three USS Nevada USS Northampton USS McCormick |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Navy Cross Legion of Merit (3) Purple Heart |
| Other work | General Electric manager |
Willard Augustus Kitts III (April 14, 1894 – November 21, 1964) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of vice admiral. An ordnance expert and veteran of several campaigns in the Pacific Theater during World War II, he distinguished himself as commanding officer of heavy cruiser USS Northampton, which was sunk during the Battle of Tassafaronga in November 1942.
Kitts then commanded battleship USS Nevada during the Aleutian Campaign and rose to the rank of rear admiral in late 1943, while serving as assistant chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. Following the war, he served as commander, Cruiser Division 3 and commander, Training Command, Pacific Fleet and retired in June 1951.