Eugene Parks Wilkinson | |
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Nickname(s) | Dennis |
Born | Long Beach, California | August 10, 1918
Died | July 11, 2013 Del Mar, California | (aged 94)
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1940–1974 |
Rank | Vice Admiral |
Commands | USS Volador USS Sea Robin USS Wahoo USS Nautilus USS Long Beach Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet |
Battles / wars | World War II Korean War |
Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy Unit Commendation Order of the Sacred Treasure, 2nd Class (Japan) Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award Golden Fleece Award Henry DeWolf Smyth Nuclear Statesman Award |
Relations | Wife, Janice; Daughter, Marian Lynn; Sons, Dennis, Stephen, and Rodney |
Other work | Institute of Nuclear Power Operations |
Eugene Parks "Dennis" Wilkinson (August 10, 1918 – July 11, 2013) was a United States Navy officer. He was selected for three historic command assignments. The first, in 1954, was as the first commanding officer of USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. The second was as the first commanding officer of USS Long Beach, America's first nuclear surface ship. The third was in 1980 when he was chosen as the first President and CEO of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) from which he retired in 1984.