Leon C. Covell

Leon C. Covell
Born(1877-12-02)December 2, 1877
Middleville, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 20, 1960(1960-11-20) (aged 82)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Place of burial
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Coast Guard
Years of service1902–1942
1943–1945
Rank Vice Admiral
CommandsVice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
Shoshone
Tahoe
Bear
Gresham
Mackinac
Zara
Battles / warsWorld War II
World War I
AwardsLegion of Merit

Leon Claude Covell (December 2, 1877 – November 20, 1960) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Coast Guard who served as the 2nd Vice Commandant from 1931 to 1941.[1]

Covell was promoted to first lieutenant on January 28, 1909.[2] During World War I, he briefly commanded USS Zara in November 1917 before commanding USS Mackinac from November 25, 1917, to January 7, 1918.[3]

Covell was promoted to lieutenant commander on July 1, 1920, and assigned as the commanding officer of USCGC Gresham on November 24, 1920.[4]

Covell was promoted to commander on April 21, 1924, and assigned as the commanding officer of USCGC Bear on November 1, 1924.[5] He was assigned as the first commanding officer of USCGC Tahoe on November 8, 1928.[6]

Covell was promoted to captain on July 1, 1929, and assigned as the first commanding officer of USCGC Shoshone on December 15, 1930.[7] Having participated in the Bering Sea Patrol since 1925, he was given command of the patrol force during the summer of 1931.[8] Covell was appointed assistant commandant on December 19, 1931, and promoted to rear admiral on May 24, 1939.[9]

Covell retired effective January 1, 1942, after Lloyd T. Chalker was appointed to succeed him on October 9, 1941.[8] He was recalled to active duty in June 1943 to head the Coast Guard Training Station at Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn.[1] Covell was later awarded the Legion of Merit for his World War II service.[10]

Covell retired as a rear admiral[11] but was advanced to vice admiral on the retired list several years later.[12]

  1. ^ a b "Vice Admiral Leon C. Covell". U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  2. ^ Register of the Officers, Vessels, and Stations of the United States Coast Guard. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. January 1, 1917. pp. 10–11. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  3. ^ Record of Movements: Vessels of the United States Coast Guard, 1790-December 31, 1933. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Coast Guard. 1935. p. 546. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  4. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers and Cadets, and Ships and Stations of the United States Coast Guard. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. January 1, 1921. pp. 8–9. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  5. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers and Cadets, and Ships and Stations of the United States Coast Guard. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. January 1, 1925. pp. 8–9. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  6. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers and Cadets, and Ships and Stations of the United States Coast Guard. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. January 1, 1929. p. 8. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
  7. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers and Cadets, and Ships and Stations of the United States Coast Guard. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. January 1, 1931. pp. 6–7. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  8. ^ a b "Captain Chalker to Become Assistant Commandant Upon Retirement of Rear Admiral Covell". Coast Guard Bulletin. Vol. 1, no. 30. Washington, D.C. December 1941. pp. 237–238. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  9. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers and Cadets, and Ships and Stations of the United States Coast Guard. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. July 1, 1941. pp. 6–7. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  10. ^ "Medals, Decorations and Commendations Awarded Coast Guard Personnel". Coast Guard Bulletin. Vol. 3, no. 17. Washington, D.C. November 1946. p. 281. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  11. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers and Cadets of the United States Coast Guard in the Order of Precedence. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. May 1, 1949. p. 101. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  12. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers and Cadets of the United States Coast Guard in the Order of Precedence. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. April 1, 1950. p. 67. Retrieved 2020-10-19.