Lieutenant (junior grade) John T. Melvin (16 October 1887 – 5 November 1917) was an officer in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

. Born at Selma, Alabama, Melvin was appointed midshipman 6 July 1907 and commissioned ensign 7 July 1911. Resigning his commission 20 August 1915, he was appointed lieutenant (jg.), 9 February 1917, upon his joining the Naval Reserve. Attached to the patrol boat ''Alcedo'', Lieutenant (jg.) Melvin lost his life 5 November 1917 when that vessel was sunk by a

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

submarine in the war zone. ''Alcedo'' was the first American war vessel to go down in

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, and Lieutenant Melvin is officially recognized as the first American naval officer to die in the war. Two destroyers have been named USS ''Melvin'' for him.

References

1887 births 1917 deaths People from Selma, Alabama Military personnel from Alabama United States Navy officers United States Navy personnel of World War I American military personnel killed in World War I {{US-navy-bio-stub