The Admiral: The Memoirs of Albert Gleaves, Admiral, Usn

Albert Gleaves, Admiral USN, wrote these memoirs in 1934 after a long and distinguished career as Commander of the convoy that successfully transported one million U.S. GIs to Europe for the First World War (developing the convoy system as it is still used today) and then being Commander of the Pacific Fleet during the evacuation of the White Russians from Vladivostok during the 20s. A 60-foot monument to Admiral Gleaves' achievement which was erected by the French in front of the sea wall at St. Nazaire and subsequently blown up by the Germans when they invaded France in WWII was reconstructed by the French as part of the 50-year anniversary of the D-Day invasion. These memoirs are filled with fascinating anecdotes and stories that were taken from his diaries, now on permanent loan to the U.S. Library of Congress.Franklin Roosevelt said of the author: "Admiral Gleaves had already achieved distinction in the Navy before his eminent stature was further revealed by his service as commander of the cruiser and transport force during the World War. He organized the strategy of our transport service and completed the enormous task assigned to him without the loss of a single soldier. For this service he won the admiration of the world. His long naval career was characterized by great versatility and by the utmost tact and diplomacy in the discharge of the varied duties which fell to him to perform."Viscount Jellicoe, First Sea Lord of the British Admiralty, has said, "From a seaman's point of view it is unparalleled in history."