Thomas Ross Cooley (1893 - 1959)

Born 26 Jun 1893 in Grass Valley, Nevada, California, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Adelaide Prescott (Morris) Cooley — married 21 Apr 1919 in Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Descendants

Died 28 Nov 1959 at age 66 in Quantico, Prince William, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Thomas Cooley was awarded the Legion of Merit.

Thomas Cooley was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal.

Thomas Ross Cooley was born in 1893 to parents Thomas Cooley and Mary Cota. In 1919 he married Adelaide Prescott Morris and they were the parents of three daughters. Thomas was a graduate of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, Class of 1917.

During World War II, VAdm. Thomas Cooley was the distinguished commander the battleship USS Washington (BB-56), under VAdm. Willis Augustus Lee, who led Battleship Division 6 (CruDiv6), that made up part of the first major American service force to enter the South China Sea and destroy enemy shipping. Cooley participated in operations during the Mariana Islands campaign in June–August 1944, which included the the capture of the islands Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. Later as the commander of CruDiv6, he led the preliminary raids softening Luzon, preceding its capture, and took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Subsequently, his command took part in the successful invasions of the islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and in the bombardment of the Japanese homeland near the end of the war. Cooley took part in the unconditional surrender of the Empire of Japan ceremony aboard the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay on 2 Sep 1945, which ended World War II.

Thomas Cooley retired from US Navy service in 1952 after 35 years of service. Cooley was advanced to the rank of Vice Admiral on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat. VAdm. Thomas Cooley died in 1959 and is buried at Monticello Graveyard in Albemarle County, Virginia.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the personal recollection of events witnessed by Richard Murray as remembered on 4 Feb 2021.

Sources

• "Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVYL-B1K5 : 16 August 2019) SHOWS the death of Thomas Ross Cooley at 66 years of age on 28 Nov 1959 at Quantico, Prince William, Virginia; born on 26 Jun 1893 to parents Thomas Ross Cooley and Adelaide Cota; spouse listed as Adelaide Morris Cooley. Registration Date28 Nov 1959. U S Nary. Registration District Number 752.
• "District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9B-PJPH : Sat Mar 09 16:16:51 UTC 2024) SHOWS the marriage of Thomas Ross Cooley and Adelaide Prescott Morris on 21 April 1919 at District of Columbia, USA. Page Number 90592.
• Find A Grave Index
• Hall of Valor Project Website shows the citation for VAdm. Thomas Cooley's Legion of Merit medal.
• Wikipedia Page for VAdm. Thomas Cooley shows the award of two Navy Commendation Medals.