Thomas C. Hart

Thomas Charles Hart (b. 12 June 1877, Davison, Michigan – d. 4 July 1971, Sharon, Connecticut) was an admiral of the United States Navy, whose service extended from the Spanish-American War through World War II. Following his retirement from the Navy, he served briefly as a United States Senator from Connecticut.

Early life and career

Hart was born in Genesee County, Michigan. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1897 and served his initial tours of sea duty in "Massachusetts" (BB-2) and in the steam yacht "Vixen", during the Spanish-American War.

In the years preceding World War I, Hart filled a variety of sea and shore duty billets: as a junior officer in battleships, torpedo boats, and submarines; as an instructor at the Naval Academy; as aide to an Assistant Secretary of the Navy; and as commander of the Pacific Torpedo Flotilla. By the spring of 1917, Hart was commanding the cruiser "Chicago" (CA-14) and Naval Submarine Base New London, Conn., while also acting as Chief of Staff to the Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet.

World War I

During World War I, Hart served concurrently as commander of Submarine Divisions 2 and 5, with "Bushnell" (AS-2) as his flagship. One division was based at Bantry Bay, protecting sea approaches to the British Isles; the second was based at Punta Delgada in the Azores, protecting routes to that vital island. In 1918, after temporary duty with the British Admiralty, Hart was appointed Director of Submarines in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Serving in this office as its head until 1922, Hart fought doggedly to improve the lot of the submarine arm of the Navy. His tenacity was responsible for the U.S. Navy's acquisition of surrendered German U-boats after World War I to learn the details of the technical innovations incorporated in the erstwhile enemy craft.

Interwar years

Receiving the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for his service as Director of Submarines, Hart spent the ensuing years of the 1920s and 1930s in a succession of sea and shore billets as he advanced up the Navy ladder. He studied at both the Army and Navy War Colleges; commanded the Atlantic Fleet Submarine Divisions, battleship "Mississippi" (BB-41), and Submarine Flotilla 3; served as Assistant Commandant of the 3d Naval District; Inspector of Ordnance at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I.; and Commander of the Control Force. After a tour as Superintendent of the Naval Academy, he went to sea as Commander, Cruiser Division 6, in June 1934. Reporting to the General Board after this tour of sea duty, Hart became its chairman in 1937.

With the temporary rank of admiral, Hart relieved classmate Admiral Harry E. Yarnell as Commander-in-Chief, Asiatic Fleet (CinCAF) on 25 July 1939. For the next two years, as tensions increased in the western Pacific, Hart prepared the small Asiatic Fleet for war with Japan. He reduced the presence of his fleet in Chinese waters and concentrated it in the Philippines to await the onslaught expected momentarily. He also successfully badgered Washington for reinforcements in the way of patrol planes and fleet submarines.

World War II

For the tense months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hart was at the center of US military concern. As commander of the Asiatic Fleet operating out of the Philippines he was right where the navy and the army assumed the action would begin. Little, if any thought, was given to a surprise attack on Admiral Husband E. Kimmel's Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (even though it had recently been moved from its traditional base at San Pedro, California, and much thought was given to what Admiral Hart should do and when he should do it. This was particularly so because MacArthur had been sent to the Philippines in order to strengthen the US presence there. B-17 Flying Fortress bombers were sent in increasing numbers to build up MacArthur's force.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, coupled with nearly simultaneous assaults on British and Dutch possessions and the Philippines, catapulted the United States into World War II. On 8 December 1941 Hart proclaimed unrestricted submarine warfare against Japan, [Gary E. Weir [http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/history/fullhist.html Silent Defense One Hundred Years of the American Submarine Force] , U.S. Naval Historical Center, Section "Shaping an Identity". Accessed 25 April 2008. "Thus, when Admiral Thomas Hart proclaimed unrestricted submarine warfare against Japan on, it came as no surprise"] and the Americans, with their Filipino allies, fought a delaying action in the Philippines, while a mixed American, British, Dutch, and Australian (ABDA) military structure under the command of General Hein ter Poorten was set up to operate from Java in an attempt to hold the Japanese at the Malay Barrier.

Given command of ABDA naval forces, Hart directed part of this defense into mid-February 1942. By that point, it had become evident that, despite the brave ABDA sailors, the Japanese were not to be denied. Despite the formidable obstacles, Hart persevered in the face of "discouraging surroundings and complex associations" and earned a gold star in lieu of his second DSM for unfailing judgment, sound decisions, and moral courage.

Retired List

Transferred to the retired list in July 1942 with the rank of Admiral, Thomas C. Hart nevertheless continued on active duty with the General Board through 1944.

From February to April 1944, he conducted a one-member investigation, the "Hart Inquiry," into the Pearl Harbor attack, a duty which took him to the length and breadth of the Pacific Ocean area. The purpose of the investigation was not to determine fault, but to ensure that the statute of limitations did not run before courts-martial could be considered.

Political career and later years

On 9 February, 1945, Hart retired from the Navy to fill an appointment as Republican senator from Connecticut. He served in Congress until 5 November 1946 and did not seek reelection. Admiral Hart then returned to his family home in Sharon, Connecticut, and died there on 4 July 1971, aged 94.

Legacy

USS "Thomas C. Hart" (1973–1993) was named in his honor. Originally classified as a destroyer escort, (DE-1092), it was reclassified as a frigate, (FF-1092), in 1975. The Naval Academy named its former library and current midshipmen lounge, The Hart Room, in his honor.Admiral Hart was also recognized by his high school alma mater, with his inclusion in the inaugural class of Davison High School's Alumni Hall of Fame.

ee also

List of Superintendents of the United States Naval Academy

References

External links

* [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000293 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress: Thomas Charles Hart]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/t4/thomas_c_hart.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Thomas C. Hart"]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/pha/hart/hart-00.html ibiblio.org - Proceedings of the Hart Inquiry, on the Pearl Harbor Attack]

Persondata
NAME= Hart, Thomas C.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=admiral of the United States Navy and United States Senator
DATE OF BIRTH=12 June 1877
PLACE OF BIRTH=Davison, Michigan, United States
DATE OF DEATH=4 July 1971
PLACE OF DEATH=Sharon, Connecticut, United States