Gottfried Blocklinger (1847-1930) was a Rear-admiral in the United States Navy.

Early life and career

Blocklinger was born in Dubuque, Iowa on October 23, 1847. He was admitted to the United States Naval Academy in 1863 and graduated in 1868. Notable achievements include: in 1879 as a Lieutenant, he commanded the survey of the Madeira River, in the Amazo

Was a lieutenant on board the during the Baltimore crisis, ''Baltimore'' crisis of 1891. And was the

Executive Officer An executive officer is a person who is principally responsible for leading all or part of an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization. In many militaries and police forces, an executive officer, o ...

, on board the during the Capture of Guam to the United States during the Spanish–American War in 1898.

Service Record

1863-69; During the American Civil War he was a midshipman at the US Naval Academy. His assignments included service on board the in summer of 1864. And served successively in the Pacific squadron on board the in 186

Enterprise, and Adams.
1868-82; Coast survey
1880 Served aboard the
1885; hydrographic office
1883-86;
1888-89; insp. 7th light-house dist., (the western coast of Florid

br/> 1890; which was assigned to the

South Atlantic Station The Commander-in-Chief South Atlantic was an operational commander of the Royal Navy from 1939. The South American area was added to his responsibilities in 1960, and the post disestablished in 1967. Immediately before the outbreak of the Sec ...

1891; Was transferred to the Yorktown during the Baltimore crisis, ''Baltimore'' crisis.
1891-93; ,
1893; Washington Navy Yard
1893-95; Executive Officer
1895-96;

Mare Island Naval Shipyard The Mare Island Naval Shipyard (MINSY) was the first United States Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean. It is located northeast of San Francisco in Vallejo, California. The Napa River goes through the Mare Island Strait and separates th ...

California.
1897-99; Executive Officer,

1899-01; Commanding Officer ,
1901; Commanding Officer
11 May 1901 Assigned to Alert'—11 May 1901, Comdr. Gottfried Blocklinger commanded the vessel and was assigned to the Pacific Station as a training vessel for apprentice sailors. In that capacity the vessel made short cruises along the California coast
1901, ,
1902, , cruising the waters off the coasts of China, Japan, and Korea
1902, flagship of the Cruiser Squadron, U.S. Asiatic Fleet, she cruised the Philippines and the China coast.,
1903; Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia,
1904; Navy Yard, New York,
1904-06; Commanding Officer , At that time, the Illinois was assigned to the North Atlantic. She engaged in fleet maneuvers, gunnery and seamanship training, and ceremonial operations

In 1906, the Illinois was the first US ship to win the famous Prince Louis

Battenberg Cup The Battenberg Cup is an award given annually as a symbol of operational excellence to the best ship or submarine in the United States Navy Atlantic Fleet. The cup was originally awarded as a trophy to the winner of cutter or longboat rowing c ...

1906-09; Member Naval Examining and Retiring Board

No officer below the grade of Captain can be promoted to a higher grade until recommended by the Boards.
1909; Retired to 1192 Locust St., Dubuque, Iow

Admiral Blocklinger was a companion of the District of Columbia Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He was assigned insignia number 18,220 and was one of the last Civil War veterans to join the Order.

Promotions

Acting

midshipman A midshipman is an officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Canada (Naval Cadet), Australia, Bangladesh, Namibia, New Zealand, South Afr ...

, 22 July 1863
Graduated United States Naval Academy, 2 June 1868
Promoted to ensign, April 19, 186

br/> Promoted to Master (naval), master, July 12, 1870
Promoted to lieutenant, April 2, 1874
Promoted to lieutenant-commander., May 21, 1895
Promoted to

commander Commander (commonly abbreviated as Cmdr.) is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countries this naval rank is termed frigate captain. ...

, March 3, 1899
Promoted to

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

., June 1, 1904
Promoted to rear-admiral, October 30, 1908
Retired, October 23, 1909

Sources and external links

*DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY—NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTE

*''Chambers's Encyclopedia. The Records Of Living Officers Of The U. S. Navy And Marine Corps'' Fourth Edition. 1890 L. R. Hamersly & Co. 1890. Pg 190-191 *''Who's Who in America'' Volume XI, 1920-1921 *''The Call'', a San Francisco newspaper, includes Blocklinger and covers the Capture of Gua

*Report of the Secretary of the Navy, November 30, 187

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blocklinger, Gottfried 1847 births 1930 deaths United States Navy rear admirals (lower half) People from Dubuque, Iowa Military personnel from Iowa