Maurice F. Weisner

WEISNER
MAURICE F. WEISNER

ADMIRAL, USN (RET.)

1917-2006

ADMIRAL MAURICE F. WEISNER, USN (Ret.) one of the most senior US military officers, passed away Sunday October 15, 2006. He was 88.

A native of Tennessee, Admiral Weisner attended the University of Tennessee before receiving an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1941. Assigned to the aircraft carrier Wasp, he survived that ship's sinking during the Solomon Islands Campaign in 1942. He subsequently entered flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1943, returning to combat in the Southwest Pacific until June 1945. He was credited with the sinking of a Japanese destroyer escort during that tour.

During an illustrious career spanning 38 years, he served in six aircraft squadrons, commanding three, commanded two ships, including the carrier USS Coral Sea, commanded two carrier divisions in the Pacific, commanded the US 7th Fleet, and served as Commander-in-Chief, US Pacific Fleet. Between operational tours of duty, Admiral Weisner served four tours the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, the last two assignments as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air, and as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. He also served as Chief of the Bureau of Personnel. He was selected to Flag Rank in 1965. In September 1976 Admiral Weisner was elevated to Commander-in-Chief, US Pacific Command, the largest of the Unified Commands, encompassing all U.S. forces in the entire Pacific and East Asian areas. He retired in November 1979.

His personal decorations include: Distinguished Service Medals from the Department of Defense, Army, Air Force, and four awards from the Navy; two awards of the Legion of Merit; two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross; six Air Medals; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V"; five unit commendations; campaign and service medals from World War II, Korea and Vietnam; and foreign decorations from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Republic of Vietnam, Philippine Republic, Kingdom of Thailand, and the United Nations.

In retirement, Admiral Weisner presided as President of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation until 1993, during a period of dynamic growth during which the Museum doubled in size, doubled visitation, inaugurated new programs and benefited from more than $25 million, raised for Museum support. Serving without pay or other remuneration, Admiral Weisner unselfishly donated his time, energy and money to the betterment of the Foundation and the Museum, and in 1996 was enshrined in the Museum's Hall of Honor.

Admiral Weisner was preceded in death by Norma, his wife of 63 years and a son, Major Franklin Lee Weisner, U.S. Army Missing-in-Action in Vietnam, October 10, 1969.He is survived by sons Maurice Hall Weisner and Stewart Holland Weisner.Funeral Services will be conducted at the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel onboard NAS Pensacola at 10 a.m., on October 24, 2006. Interment at Barrancas National Cemetery, with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the Admiral's name to Covenant Hospice, 5041 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504; Alzheimer's Family Services, 3454 Olive Rd., Pensacola, FL 32514; or the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, 1750 Radford Blvd. Suite B, Pensacola, FL 32508. HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements.