Francis Worth Scanland
Francis Worth Scanland | |
|---|---|
 Commodore Francis W. Scanland, U.S. Naval Academy(1909) | |
| Born | October 17, 1888 Benton, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 1946 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1909–1946 |
| Rank | Commodore |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars |
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| Awards | |
Francis Worth Scanland (October 17, 1888 – October 16, 1946) was a United States Navy officer whose career spanned both world wars. A pioneer submariner in World War I, he later commanded the battleship USS Nevada (BB-36) during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the heavy cruiser USS Astoria (CA-34) in the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, earning the Navy Cross. Promoted to commodore in 1944, he finished World War II as commander of the Naval Training and Distribution Center at Camp Elliott, California.[1]
Early life and education
Scanland was born in Benton, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, to newspaper editor William Henry Scanland and Adelaide Amelia (Abney) Scanland. William Scanland founded The Bossier Banner in 1859 and edited the paper for more than fifty years.[2] Francis and classmate Mamie Edwards Stinson became the first graduates of Benton High School in 1904.[3] He secured a congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1905 and graduated with the Class of 1909.
Pre-World War II
An early submariner, Scanland commanded USS F-3 (SS-22) from 1915 to 1917 and commissioned USS O-11 (SS-72) in October 1918.[4] Inter-war assignments included command of USS Chewink (AM-39), USS S-37 (SS-142), duty on the Hydrographic Office staff in Washington, and instructor posts at the Submarine School, New London. He was promoted to captain on 3 June 1937.
World War II
USS Nevada and Pearl Harbor
Captain Scanland took command of Nevada on 4 June 1941.[5] On 7 December 1941, while Scanland was ashore, Nevada got underway during the Japanese attack; upon regaining the bridge, he ordered the ship beached at Hospital Point to prevent sinking in the channel—a decision credited with keeping the harbor entrance clear.[6]
USS Astoria: Coral Sea and Midway
On 15 December 1941 Scanland assumed command of Astoria.[7] He led the cruiser through the Battle of the Coral Sea (4–8 May 1942) and the Battle of Midway (4–6 June 1942), where Astoria screened U.S. carriers against intense air attack. Scanland’s *“extraordinary heroism and distinguished service”* earned him the Navy Cross.[8] He relinquished command on 14 June 1942; Astoria was lost two months later at Savo Island under a different captain.
Flag rank and final command
The Senate confirmed Scanland’s promotion to commodore on 20 October 1944.[9] In 1945 he took charge of the Naval Training and Distribution Center, Camp Elliott, near San Diego, managing the demobilization of thousands of sailors.[10]
Death and legacy
Scanland died of a heart attack in San Diego on 16 October 1946, one day before his 58th birthday.[11] He was buried with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery.[12]
His son, Commander Francis W. Scanland Jr., also earned the Navy Cross as Commander of the USS Hawkbill (SS-366), during World War II, making them perhaps the only Father and Son to each earn the Navy Cross in World War II.[13]
Awards and decorations
- File:Navy Cross ribbon.svg Navy Cross
American Defense Service Medal
Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal
World War I Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
See also
References
- ↑ "Francis Worth Scanland, Sr. – Hall of Valor". Military Times. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ "The Bossier Banner (Bellevue, La.) 1859–1952". Library of Congress. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ "Spotlighting Mamie Edwards Stinson McKnight". Bossier Parish Libraries History Center. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ NHHC: O-11 (Submarine)
- ↑ "USS Nevada's Run to the Sea". Warfare History Network. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ "The Nevada's Run". Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ "Lines of Advance – USS Astoria (CA-34)". Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ "Navy Cross Citation – Francis W. Scanland". Military Times. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ "Congressional Record, 27 Nov 1944, p. 11523" (PDF). U.S. Government Publishing Office. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ "Camp La Mesa/Camp Elliott Historic Survey" (PDF). California State Military Museum. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ "Benton Naval Officer Succumbs". The Times (Shreveport). 17 October 1946. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ "Veterans Legacy Memorial: Francis W. Scanland". U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ "Francis Worth Scanland Jr. – Hall of Valor". Military Times. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
External links
- {NHHC ADWC|4344|Francis Worth Scanland}
- {VLM|FRANCISWSCANLAND|Francis W. Scanland}
- {Military Times Hall of Valor|20851}
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