Charles E. Rosendahl facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles Emery Rosendahl
Lt. Cmdr. Charles Rosendahl, USN, circa 1930
Nickname(s)	Rosey
Born	(1892-05-15)May 15, 1892 Chicago, Illinois
Died	May 17, 1977(1977-05-17) (aged 85) Naval Hospital Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1910–1946
Rank	Vice admiral
Commands held	USS Claxton USS Los Angeles Rigid Airship Training and Experimental Squadron USS Akron NAS Lakehurst USS Minneapolis Naval Airship Training Command
Battles/wars	Mexican Revolution World War I World War II
Awards	Navy Cross Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross

Charles Emery Rosendahl (May 15, 1892 – May 17, 1977) was a brave U.S. Navy officer. He became a vice admiral, a very high rank. He was also a big supporter of airships, which are like giant balloons that can fly.

Life Story

Starting His Navy Career

Charles Rosendahl was born in Chicago, Illinois. His family later moved to Kansas and Texas. In 1910, he joined the Naval Academy. After graduating in 1914, he became an ensign.

His first job was on the ship West Virginia (ACR-5). This was during a time of trouble in Mexico. He then served on other ships like the Oregon (BB-3) and Cleveland (C-19). During World War I, he helped escort ships carrying troops and supplies to Europe. He was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) and then lieutenant.

In 1918, Rosendahl became an engineering officer. He helped get the new destroyer McKean (DD-90) ready for duty. He later worked on other destroyers, making sure they were ready for the fleet. In 1921, he took command of the destroyer Claxton (DD-140). After that, he became an instructor at the Naval Academy.

Flying High with Airships

The Navy was looking for volunteers to work with large airships. Rosendahl decided to try it. In 1923, he went to Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, for training. He became a naval aviator in 1924.

He worked on the airship Shenandoah (ZR-1). In 1925, the Shenandoah broke apart in the air. Rosendahl bravely brought the front part of the airship safely to the ground. For this, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The bow section of Shenandoah after the crash

From 1926, he was the second-in-command, then the main commander, of the airship Los Angeles (ZR-3). He flew many missions for training and testing. The Los Angeles also helped search for planes that went missing while trying to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

In 1928, Rosendahl flew the Los Angeles to meet the aircraft carrier Saratoga (CV-3). The airship even connected to the ship's back to refuel. He also did tests with the airship tender Patoka (AO-9) during long flights.

Airship moored to USS Patoka

Rosendahl traveled to Britain and Germany to learn about their airships. In October 1928, he was on the German airship Graf Zeppelin when it made its first flight across the Atlantic.

In 1929, he became the commander of the Airship Training Squadron at Lakehurst. He also flew around the world on the Graf Zeppelin as an observer. In 1931, he commanded the new airship Akron (ZRS-4). They even tried using it as a flying aircraft carrier.

From 1932 to 1934, Rosendahl served on battleships and cruisers. In 1934, he took command of NAS Lakehurst. He was promoted to commander in 1935.

He also observed flights on the German airship Hindenburg in 1936. On May 6, 1937, he was in command at Lakehurst when the Hindenburg caught fire. He led the rescue efforts. He later said he thought everyone would be killed by an explosion.

Hindenburg in flames, 6 May 1937

In 1938, he left Lakehurst and became an officer on the light cruiser Milwaukee (CL-5). In 1940, he started working on airship evaluations for the Secretary of the Navy. He was promoted to captain. He also helped choose locations for new airship stations.

World War II Hero

In 1942, Rosendahl took command of the heavy cruiser Minneapolis (CA-36). During the Battle of Tassafaronga in November 1942, his ship was hit by torpedoes. It lost 80 feet of its front and had serious damage. But Rosendahl managed to keep the ship afloat and get it to safety. For this brave action, he received the Navy Cross.

Minneapolis after Tassafaronga with her bows missing

In 1943, he returned to NAS Lakehurst. He became the Chief of Naval Airship Training Command. He was promoted to rear admiral. He stayed in this role through World War II. He retired from the Navy in 1946 and was promoted to vice admiral.

After the Navy

After retiring, Rosendahl worked as an aviation consultant. He was also a vice-president for an aircraft company. In 1953, he helped lead a group that studied air travel problems in New York.

He retired to Toms River, New Jersey, in 1960. He wanted to write and help create an airship museum at Lakehurst. The Navy gave land for the museum, but the group could not raise enough money.

The U.S. Navy stopped using airships in 1962. Rosendahl was on the last flight of a Navy blimp. He passed away on May 17, 1977.

Personal Life

Charles Rosendahl met Jean Wilson on a train in 1932. They were married in December 1934.

Groups He Belonged To

Rosendahl was a member of many important groups, including:

• A Fellow of the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences
• A member of the Clifford B. Harmon Trust
• Past President of the Wings Club of New York
• A founder of the Army-Navy Country Club in Washington, D.C.
• A long-time member of the American Legion
• The Explorers' Club

Awards and Honors

Civilian Awards

Charles Rosendahl received many honors outside the military:

• He was named an Elder Statesman of Aviation by the National Aeronautic Association.
• He won four Harmon Trophies for his work with airships.
• He received the Frank M. Hawks Award.
• In 1980, he was added to the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey.

He also received two honorary degrees from universities.

Military Awards

Here are the ribbons for Vice Admiral Charles E. Rosendahl's military awards: