Station HYPO

REAR ADMIRAL JEFFERSON RICE DENNIS, U.S. NAVY
April 10, 1909 – February 17 1958

Jefferson Rice Dennis was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on April 10, 1909, son of Mrs. Charlotte Corday (Rice) Dennis and the Dr. Frank L. Dennis.  He attended Colorado Springs High School, prior to his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland in 1926.

Graduated and commissioned ensign on June 5, 1930, he subsequently advanced in rank, attaining that of Captain to date from April 1, 1949, having served in that rank (temporary) from December 10, 1045 to January 1, 1948.

Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1930, he was assigned to the USS Oklahoma (BB 37), and in May 1932, transferred to the USS Alden (DD 211).  Detached from the Alden in February 1934 and went on to serve for three months in the USS Sicard (DD 346), prior to reporting for duty on board the USS MacLeish (DD 220).  From December 1935 until June 1936 he received submarine training at the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, after which he served until June 1937 in the USS S-21 (SS 126).

In July 1937 he was assigned to the Communication Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C., and in January 1939 reported for communications duty in the Sixteenth Naval District, at headquarters in the Navy Yard, Cavite, Philippine Islands.  In February 1940 he became Assistant Fleet Communications Officer on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Asiatic Fleet, USS Augusta (CA 31), and later USS Houston (CA 30), flagship, and remained in that assignment until October 1941.

Ordered to the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Kearny, New Jersey, he assisted in the fitting out of the USS Aaron Ward (DD 483) and joined that destroyer as Executive Officer upon her commissioning on March 4, 1942.  Returning to duty ashore in May 1942, he was again assigned to the Division of Naval Communications, Navy Department, and in September 1944 was transferred to Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, for duty with the pacific Fleet Radio Unit.

While attached to the Division of Naval Communications, from May 18, 1942 to September 2, 1945, he was awarded the Legion of Merit.  The citation reads in part: “Discharging his important duty with skill and initiative, (he) rendered invaluable assistance in carrying out the vital work of the Communications Intelligence Organization throughout a critical period in the history of our country.  By his outstanding professional ability and uncompromising devotion to the fulfillment of an exacting assignment, (he) contributed substantially to the effectiveness of important operations which culminated in the successful conclusion of World War II…”

Between November 1945 and February 1950 he served with the Communications Security Group, Communications Division Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.  He was next assigned to the National Security Agency (NSA), Washington, D. C., and in July 1953 joined the staff of the Commander in chief Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, as Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence.  He was Assistant Director for Communications Security matters in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from February 1955 until August 1957.

On September 30, 1957 he reported as Assistant Director of the NSA and Director of the Production Organization, Ft. Meade, Maryland, and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death on February 17, 1958, at the U.S. Army Hospital, Ft Meade, Maryland, following a heart attack at his home.

He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and cited in part as follows: “For exceptionally meritorious service…from June 15, 1955 to February 17, 1958 as Assistant Director, Naval Communications Division for Security Group Matters; Head, Naval Security Group; and Assistant Director, National Security Agency, and Director of the Production Organization of that agency.  Exercising outstanding ingenuity and superior aptitude, Rear Admiral Dennis was imminently successful in discharging his many responsibilities throughout this period.  An Officer of remarkable technical ability and keen intelligence, Rear Admiral Dennis made significant contributions to the missions of the Chief of Naval Operations and the National Security Agency…”

In addition to the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Rear Admiral Dennis has the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; the World War II victor Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal.

Source: NCVA