Jerauld Wright | |
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United States Ambassador to Taiwan | |
In office June 29, 1963 – July 25, 1965 | |
President | John F. Kennedy Lyndon B. Johnson |
Preceded by | Alan Goodrich Kirk |
Succeeded by | Walter P. McConaughy |
Personal details | |
Born | Amherst, Massachusetts, US | June 4, 1898
Died | April 27, 1995 Washington, D.C., US | (aged 96)
Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
Parent |
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Nickname(s) | Jerry Old Iron Heels Old Stoneface El Supremo[1] |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1917–1960 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands | Allied Command Atlantic United States Atlantic Command United States Atlantic Fleet United States Naval Forces Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Amphibious Forces Atlantic Fleet Cruiser Division Six Amphibious Group Five USS Santa Fe USS Blue |
Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal |
Admiral Jerauld Wright (June 4, 1898 – April 27, 1995) was an officer in the United States Navy. He served as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Atlantic Command (CINCLANT) and the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT), and became the second Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT) for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), from April 1, 1954, to March 1, 1960, serving longer in these three positions than anyone else in history.
Following World War I, Wright served as a naval aide for Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover. A recognized authority on naval gunnery, Wright served in the European and Pacific theaters during World War II, developing expertise in amphibious warfare and coalition warfare planning. After the war, Wright was involved in the evolution of the military structure of NATO as well as overseeing the modernization and readiness of the United States Atlantic Fleet during the Cold War.
Upon his retirement from the navy, Wright subsequently served on the Central Intelligence Agency's National Board of Estimates (NBE) and as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan).