C. T. Singleton, Jr.

Retired Rear Admiral Charles Tod Singleton, Jr (July 3, 1905 – December 21, 1977), of Rancho Aquajito, known for distinguished achievement in academic circles as well as an outstanding 34-year naval career, died at Silas B. Hays Hospital at Fort Ord.

He held the Bronze Star for combat action in Normandy and the Legion of Merit as Deputy Chief of Staff, Commander Naval Forces Far East.

At the time of his retirement in 1956, he was director of the engineering school at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, the same school he had earlier advocated establishing on the Monterey Peninsula after World War II when he was executive officer at the school.

Born in Larel, Miss., he was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, class of 1926, and the National War College.

During World War II, Adm. Singleton commanded the first American destroyer to enter the Mediterranean, and he was in combat in North Africa, Salerno and Anzio.

He also commanded the destroyers USS Brooks and Kalk [cite web|title=DD-611 Kalk|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/dd-611.htm|work=GlobalSecurity.org|accessdate=2007-10-10] , and served as Commodore of Destroyer Squadron Six, commanding 12 destroyers with 2,400 men. He was a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Korean conflict and a division commander during the Inchon landings.

After his retirement from military service in 1956, he was named head of the University of California Engineering and Science Extension at Berkley.

He retired again in July 1961, so that he and Mrs. Singleton, the former Mary Frances Morris whom he married in 1927, could travel.

Adm. Singleton was active in community affairs on the Peninsula. He was a member of the advisory committee of the Monterey Peninsula Planning Commission; served as president of the Aguajito Property Owners Association; served as president of the Peninsula branch of the World Affairs Council and on the governing board in San Francisco.

He was also on the advisory board of the SPCA; a director of the Monterey Foundation; and member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association; a lifetime director of the Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies; and of the Retired Officers Association.

He is survived by his wife and his mother, Mrs. C. Tod Singleton Sr.

He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, with full military honors.

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References

*Monterey Peninsula Herald, Thursday December 22, 1977