Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captain, but below that of a vice admiral. It is regarded as a two star "admiral" rank. It is often regarde ...
Paul Hopkins (P. H.) Talbot (3 April 1897 – 9 September 1974) was an officer in the
United States Navy who served in
World War I and
World War II. A 1918 graduate of the
United States Naval Academy, he served on destroyers during World War I. He was awarded the
Navy Cross for distinguished service and heroism as commander of Destroyer Squadron 59 while engaging the Japanese off
Balikpapan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies, on 24 and 25 January 1942.
As a
Lieutenant Commander, Talbot was the first captain of the
USS Helm
USS ''Helm'' (DD-388) was a ''Bagley''-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Rear Admiral James Meredith Helm. ''Helm'' received 11 battle stars for her World War II service in the Pacific.
Pre- ...
, taking command on 16 October 1937. He was succeeded by Lt. Cmdr. Percival E. McDowell on 5 June 1939. Talbot was promoted to Commander on 1 June 1939
and then to Captain on 17 June 1942.
Later life
Captain Paul Talbot retired from the United States Navy in March 1948. Based on his combat record, he was advanced to Rear Admiral on the Navy retired list.
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See also
* Battle of Balikpapan (1942)
References
1897 births
1974 deaths
United States Naval Academy alumni
United States Navy personnel of World War I
United States Navy personnel of World War II
Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
United States Navy admirals
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