Carl Theodore Vogelgesang (January 11, 1869 – February 16, 1927) was a United States Navy rear admiral and Navy Cross recipient. He was the first U.S. Navy flag officer from California.
Early life
Vogelgesang was born at North Branch, California, on 11 January 1869, one of ten children (six boys and four girls) born to John Henry Vogelgesang and his wife, Anna Elizabeth (maiden name Vennigerholz). The youngest of the six sons, he received his education in the public schools of Stockton, California.
United States Naval Academy
While in his senior year of high school he was given an opportunity to enter a competitive examination for entrance into the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He won the appointment, and went on to Washington, D.C., where he was the protégé of Congressman James A. Louttit of Stockton. In order to reach Annapolis in time, he was granted his high school diploma in advance.
He passed the final examination at Annapolis in June 1886, was appointed a naval cadet—the term then applied to young men studying at the Naval Academy—on 6 September 1886, and graduated on 6 June 1890. Graduates at that time were given the privilege of remaining in the Navy or retiring. In answer to a letter asking his mother's advice, she said, "My son, as long as the government has given you your education, you should repay with your service". Vogelgesang followed her advice, and never regretted his decision.
Marriage and family
On December 27, 1899, Vogelgesang married Zenaide Shepard, daughter of Admiral Edwin M. Shepard. Their children were a son, Shepard, and a daughter, Zenaide.
Early service
Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, Vogelgesang began active duty as a passed naval cadet aboard the gunboat USS Alliance. At the completion of his requisite two years of sea duty before final graduation, he was commissioned as an ensign on 14 July 1892 to date from 1 July 1892.
Successive tours of duty on board screw sloop USS Adams and sloop of war USS Mohican occupied his time until 1895 when he was ordered to Washington, D.C., for duty in the Bureau of Navigation. Detached from that post on 29 August 1896, Ensign Vogelgesang reported to the gunboat USS Bancroft on 3 September 1896.
Spanish–American and Philippine–American Wars
Bancroft remained Vogelgesangs home through the Spanish–American War of 1898. During that war, Vogelgesang served in her during convoy escort missions and on blockade duty off Havana, Cuba, and near the Isle of Pines. Vogelgesang received the Spanish Campaign Medal for this service.
A tour of duty in the stores ship USS Celtic followed during which Celtic supported operations in the Philippine–American War; Vogelgesang received the Philippine Campaign Medal in 1899 for this service.
Peacetime service, 1900–1914
He then served at the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York, in conjunction with the fitting out of battleships USS Kentucky (Battleship No. 6) and USS Wisconsin (Battleship No. 9) followed.
On 6 June 1904, Vogelgesang returned to the Bureau of Navigation for a two-year tour of duty, during which he attained the rank of lieutenant commander on 1 July 1905. A fifteen-month assignment as navigator on board battleship USS Louisiana (Battleship No. 19) followed from June 1906 to September 1907, during which he was awarded the Army of Cuban Pacification Medal in 1906. This was followed by his first command, the Presidential yacht USS Mayflower during the latter part of the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt.
That tour of duty ended in March 1908 when he transferred to the battleship USS Wisconsin as navigator. In May 1909, Lieutenant Commander Vogelgesang reported for duty ashore once more, this time to study at the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. where he taught the Science of War. In this assignment he was instrumental in working out a course of study which was adopted and remains in use. On 2 May 1911, near the end of his assignment at the War College, Vogelgesang was promoted to full commander.
On 2 May 1912, Vogelgesang transferred to the battleship USS Wyoming (Battleship No. 32) to fit her out. When she was commissioned, he assumed duty as her executive officer.
Veracruz
In late January 1914, Commander Vogelgesang was ordered to protected cruiser USS Des Moines (Cruiser No. 15) to serve as her commanding officer. During his tour aboard Des Moines, he was awarded the Mexican Campaign Medal for his service in quelling the uprising at Veracruz, Mexico, during the United States occupation of Veracruz. He commanded Des Moines until 23 October 1914.