USS Van Valkenburgh

Franklin Van Valkenburgh, born on 5 April 1888 at Minneapolis, Minn., and appointed a midshipman on 15 September 1905, graduated from the Naval Academy on 4 June 1909. After service in Vermont (Battleship No. 20) and in South Carolina (Battleship No. 26), Van Valkenburgh was commissioned ensign on 5 June 1911. Traveling to the Asiatic Station soon thereafter, he joined Rainbow (Submarine Tender No. 7) at Olongapo, Philippine Islands, on 11 September. He reported to Pampanga (Gunboat No. 39) as executive officer on 23 June 1914 for a short tour in the southern Philippines before his detachment on 4 August.

After returning to the United States, Lt. (jg.) Van Valkenburgh joined Connecticut (Battleship No. 18) on 11 November. Following postgraduate work in steam engineering at the Naval Academy in September 1915, he took further instruction in that field at Columbia University before reporting to Rhode Island (Battleship No. 17) on 2 March 1917. The entry of the United States into World War I found Van Valkenburgh serving as the battleship's engineering officer. Subsequent temporary duty in the receiving ship at New York preceded his first tour as an instructor at the Naval Academy. On 1 June 1920, Van Valkenburgh reported on board Minnesota (Battleship No. 22) for duty as engineer officer, and he held that post until the battleship was decommissioned in November 1921.

He again served as an instructor at the Naval Academy, until 15 May 1925, before he joined Mary land (BB-46) on 26 June. Commissioned commander on 2 June 1927 while in Maryland, he soon reported for duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations on 21 May 1928 and served there during the administrations of Admirals Charles F. Hughes and William V. Pratt. Detached on 28 June 1931, Van Valkenburgh received command of Talbot (DD-114) on 10 July and commanded Destroyer Squadron 5 from 31 March 1932.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Van Valkenburgh (DD-656)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.