Captain Walton B. Pendleton, USN, (1897-1972)

Walton Barclay Pendleton was born in Arizona on 24 November 1897. Appointed from that state to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1917, he graduated in June 1921 and was commissioned in the rank of Ensign. He served in the battleship Texas into 1924, then was assigned to destroyers. Lieutenant Pendleton attended the Junior Course at the Naval War College in 1929, followed by service at the Recruiting Station at New Haven, Connecticut. During the 1930s, he was stationed at several shore facilities and on a number of ships, ending the decade as Commanding Officer of USS Tern (AM-31).

After the United States entered World War II, Pendleton received a temporary promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In December 1943, he placed the new escort ship England in commission. In May 1944, while under his command, she sank or helped to sink six Japanese submarines, an achievement that is unique in U.S. Navy history. He was awarded the Navy Cross for this feat and was promoted to Commander. Upon leaving active duty in January 1947, he received the retirement rank of Captain. Captain Walton B. Pendleton died at Portsmouth, Virginia, on 9 December 1972.