Warner Norton Grubb

Warner Norton Grubb (1900–1947) was the U.S. Navy Tanker Control Officer for the European Theater during World War II who was promoted to Commodore at the end of the conflict and awarded the Legion of Merit. His citation reads:

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Head of the Latin American section of the Army-Navy Petroleum Board, as Tanker Control Officer with the Commander of Naval Forces in Europe and as Navy member of the Petroleum Section of the Staff of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force from November 6, 1942, to December 27, 1944. An astute administrator, Commodore (then Commander) Grubb organized and maintained efficient petroleum supply operations for Latin America and for naval forces in the European theater and, in addition, was instrumental in perfecting tanker communications security measures which virtually eliminated the possibility of leakage to enemy agents. By his initiative and forceful direction of his command, Commodore Grubb contributed materially to the successful prosecution of the war.

For the President,
James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy"

Background

W. Norton Grubb was an international petroleum executive who was assigned to the Navy in World War II to help manage Allied oil logistics. Born in Philadelphia, he briefly served as a seaman in the Navy Reserves during World War I before majoring in chemistry at Penn State. In 1921, Grubb joined the Atlantic Refining Company in Philadelphia and quickly climbed through the ranks in France, South Africa and Australia. In 1933, he was hired by Esso as President of the West Indies Oil Company in Latin America and later promoted as a Director in London. Norton was finally transferred back to Esso Manhattan headquarters in 1939 and was responsible for the Caribbean region.

War experience

In February 1941, Grubb represented the company in negotiations with the British Government in London during The Blitz. After returning to the U.S., he was commissioned as a Navy lieutenant commander in October 1942 and assigned to Washington, D.C. as Head of the Latin American section of the Army-Navy Petroleum Board. At the end of December, 1943, he was reassigned as Tanker Control Officer for the European Theater in London. Two years later, Grubb was transferred back to Washington as Executive Officer of the Allied Tanker Board.

Personal life

Norton Grubb was the son of S. Warner Grubb and Edith C. Norton of Philadelphia. In 1921, he married Edith Rosemary Class (1900–1981) of Darby, Pennsylvania. They had two children: Warner Norton Grubb Jr. and George Craig Grubb. After the war, Commodore Grubb returned to Esso in Manhattan where he was responsible for Northern European operations. A year later, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and died at age 46. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Norton was a descendant of John Grubb, an early settler in Delaware.

References

*ESSO Manhattan, "Two Returned Veterans" (January 15, 1946)
*N,Y, Times, "22 Nominated by Navy to be Rear Admirals - 26 Other Officers Named on List for Commodore" (October 11, 1945)
*NY Times, "Obituary" (February 16, 1947)