Charles Johnston Badger (August 6, 1853 – September 7, 1932) was an admiral 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 ...

. His active-duty career included service in the

Spanish–American War , partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence , image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg , image_size = 300px , caption = (cloc ...

and

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 ...

Early life and education

The son of Commodore Oscar C. Badger (1823–1899), Charles Badger was born August 6, 1853 in Rockville, Maryland. He attended the

United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy (US Naval Academy, USNA, or Navy) is a federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during the tenure of George Bancroft as Secretary of the Navy. The Naval Academy ...

, graduating in 1873.

Career

Badger served on the ''USS Cincinnati'' (C-7) during the Spanish–American War, and climaxed his career as Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet. He served as superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1907 to 1909. Badger commanded the from 1909 to 1911. He was promoted to rear admiral on March 8, 1911. He was an hereditary companion of the

Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), or simply the Loyal Legion is a United States patriotic order, organized April 15, 1865, by three veteran officers of the Army. The original membership was composed of members ...

as well as a member of the District of Columbia Society of the

Sons of the American Revolution The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR or NSSAR) is an American congressionally chartered organization, founded in 1889 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. A non-profit corporation, it has described its purpose ...

. During the

Tampico Affair The Tampico Affair began as a minor incident involving U.S. Navy sailors and the Mexican Federal Army loyal to Mexican dictator General Victoriano Huerta. On April 9, 1914, nine sailors had come ashore to secure supplies and were detained by M ...

, Vice Admiral Badger commanded the Atlantic Fleet.

Family

Badger married Sophia Jane Champlin (1860–1923) and had two children. Their daughter was Elizabeth Champlin Badger (b. 1883), who married Captain H. F. Bryan, USN. They had three children. Their son was Oscar Charles Badger II (1890–1958) who received the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valo ...

for heroism at Vera Cruz in 1914 and went on to serve in both world wars. He retired from the Navy as an admiral in 1952. Rear Admiral Badger was a cousin of

Secretary of the Navy The secretary of the Navy (or SECNAV) is a statutory officer () and the head (chief executive officer) of the Department of the Navy, a military department (component organization) within the United States Department of Defense. By law, the se ...

George E. Badger (1790–1865).

Awards

* Navy Distinguished Service Medal *

Sampson Medal The Sampson Medal was a U.S. Navy campaign medal. The medal was authorized by an Act of Congress in 1901. The medal was awarded to those personnel who served on ships in the fleet of Rear Admiral William T. Sampson during combat operations in ...

Spanish Campaign Medal The Spanish Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which recognized those men of the U.S. military who had served in the Spanish–American War. Although a single decoration, there were two versions of the Spanish C ...

* World War I Victory Medal

Death and legacy

Rear Admiral Badger died September 7, 1932 and is buried in

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

.Burial Detail: Badger, Charles J
– ANC Explorer Two Navy ships have been named in his honor: , and .

References