Thomas G. W. Settle

Thomas G. W. Settle
Settle during World War II.
Nickname(s)Tex
Born(1895-11-04)November 4, 1895
Washington, D.C.
DiedApril 28, 1980(1980-04-28) (aged 84)
Bethesda, Maryland
Allegiance United States of America
Service / branch United States Navy
Years of service1918–1957
Rank Vice Admiral
CommandsCruiser Division Two
USS Portland (CA-33)
USS Monocacy (PG-20)
USS Palos (PG-16)
Battles / warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsNavy Cross
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal

Thomas Greenhow Williams "Tex" Settle (November 4, 1895 – April 28, 1980[1][2]) was an officer of the United States Navy who on November 20, 1933, together with Army major Chester L. Fordney, set a world altitude record[3] in the Century of Progress stratospheric balloon.[4] An experienced balloonist, long-time flight instructor, and officer on the airships USS Shenandoah (ZR-1) and USS Los Angeles (ZR-3), Settle won the Litchfield Trophy in 1929 and 1931, the International Gordon Bennett Race in 1932, the Harmon Aeronaut Trophy for 1933,[5] and the Harmon National Trophy for 1932[6] and 1933. He also set numerous distance and endurance records.[7]

In 1934 Settle transferred to sailing duties,[8] initially as captain of the China-based USS Palos (PG-16).[9] In 1944–1945 he commanded the heavy cruiser USS Portland (CA-33), earning the Navy Cross for his action in the Battle of Surigao Strait.[10] After World War II Vice Admiral Settle held Navy appointments in the continental United States and overseas, and was charged with tasks ranging from distributing international aid to Greece and Turkey to conducting nuclear tests in the Aleutian islands.[11]

  1. ^ "Military Times Hall of Valor: Awards for Thomas Greenhow Williams Settle". militarytimes.com. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  2. ^ "Who's Who of Ballooning (-Sa - Spel-)". ballooninghistory.com. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  3. ^ Commander Settle Makes Record Stratosphere Hop, 1933/11/22 (1933). Universal Newsreel. 1933. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  4. ^ Shayler, p. 21
  5. ^ Post and Settle Win Flying Prizes, New York Times April 22, 1934
  6. ^ Amelia Earhart Honored; Receives Award of Harmon Trophy for Transatlantic Flight, New York Times April 15, 1933
  7. ^ "FAI record table for gas balloons". Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Archived from the original on 2006-06-02. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference R49 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference T222 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference G176 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference K34 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).