Hugo Osterhaus

Hugo Osterhaus
Hugo Osterhaus in 1913
Born	(1851-06-15)June 15, 1851 Belleville, Illinois, US
Died	June 11, 1927(1927-06-11) (aged 75) Castle Point, New York, US
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1871–1913, 1917–1920
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands held	Connecticut (BB-18) Atlantic Fleet
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Navy Cross

Hugo Osterhaus (15 June 1851 in Belleville, Illinois – 11 June 1927 in Castle Point, New York) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. He was the son of Civil War Major General Peter J. Osterhaus (1823–1917) and father of Navy Admiral (1878–1972).

U.S. Navy career[]

Osterhaus was appointed Midshipman on 22 September 1865 and received his commission as an Ensign on 13 July 1871. He was commissioned Master, 12 February 1874; Lieutenant 13 March 1880; Lieutenant Commander 3 March 1899; Commander 2 July 1901; Captain 19 February 1906; Rear Admiral 4 December 1909 and was placed on the retired list 15 June 1913.

He was captain of the battleship Connecticut (BB-18) as part of the Great White Fleet which was a United States Navy force that completed a circumnavigation of the world from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909 by order of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military power and blue-water navy capability.

Osterhaus was recalled to active duty during World War I serving from 11 April 1917 until 1 November 1920 when he was relieved of active duty and returned home.

His flag commands included the Second Division, Atlantic Fleet; the Mare Island Navy Yard; the 12th Naval District; and the Atlantic Fleet.

Awarded the Navy Cross

During World War I he received the Navy Cross for services in the Office of Naval Districts.

Death[]

RADM Hugo Osterhaus died 11 June 1927. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery with his wife Mary W. (1855–1942).^[1]

Namesake[]

The destroyer USS Osterhaus (DE-164), launched 18 April 1943 and sponsored by Miss Helen Osterhaus, was so named in his honor.

References[]

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.