William W. Outerbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Woodward Outerbridge
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| Born | April 14, 1906 Victoria, Hong Kong |
| Died | September 20, 1986 (aged 80) Tifton, Georgia |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1927–1957 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held | Ward (DD-139) O'Brien (DD-725) Destroyer Division Forty-Two Destroyer Squadron Four Los Angeles (CA-135) |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Navy Cross, Legion of Merit |
William Woodward Outerbridge (born April 14, 1906 – died September 20, 1986) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. He is famous for firing the very first shots in defense of the United States during World War II.
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William Outerbridge was born in Victoria, Hong Kong. He grew up in Middleport, Ohio, in the United States. He went to Middleport High School. Later, he graduated from Marion Military Institute in Alabama.
In 1927, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy. This is a special college for people who want to become officers in the Navy. He worked on many ships and at different Navy bases. From 1937 to 1940, he spent three and a half years in China. He served on a large ship called the Augusta (CA-31).
In 1940 and 1941, he was the Executive Officer of the destroyer Cummings (DD-365). An Executive Officer is like the second-in-command on a ship. On December 5, 1941, he became the captain of the destroyer Ward (DD-139). His ship was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
First Shots of World War II
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Captain Outerbridge's ship, the Ward, was on patrol. They were near the entrance to Pearl Harbor. Another ship, the Antares (AG-10), warned them. It reported seeing a Japanese midget submarine. This small submarine was trying to sneak into the harbor.
The Ward quickly opened fire with one of its deck guns. Then, they dropped special bombs called depth charges. These charges exploded underwater and sank the submarine. Captain Outerbridge immediately sent radio reports to naval headquarters. He tried to explain that there was no mistake. He sent a second, more detailed report. He wrote: "We have attacked, fired upon, and dropped depth charges upon submarine operating in defensive sea area."
However, senior officers at headquarters did not believe his reports right away. This happened just 70 minutes before Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor. The action by the Ward's crew was the first time U.S. forces fought in World War II. The gun that fired the first shot is now a memorial. It is located at the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
In August 2002, the midget submarine the Ward sank was finally found. It was located about 1,300 feet (400 meters) deep outside Pearl Harbor. For his brave actions, Captain Outerbridge received the Navy Cross. This is a very high award for bravery in the Navy.
Service During World War II
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Outerbridge worked in Washington, D.C. He was at the Office of the Chief of Naval Transportation. In June 1944, he was given command of another destroyer, the O'Brien (DD-725).
D-Day and Normandy
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the O'Brien was off the coast of Normandy, France. This was when Allied forces landed on the beaches to fight Germany. The O'Brien used its guns to attack German defenses. This helped protect the soldiers landing on the beaches. Later, the O'Brien did similar work near the French port of Cherbourg. This helped Allied ground forces capture the city.
Return to the Pacific
After fighting in Europe, Outerbridge and the O'Brien moved to the Pacific Ocean. They helped in the fight to free the Philippines from Japan. In a strange twist of fate, on December 7, 1944, Captain Outerbridge received a difficult order. During the landings at Leyte Gulf, his ship, the O'Brien, had to sink the Ward. The Ward was his old ship. It had been badly damaged by a Japanese kamikaze attack.
After the War
After World War II ended, William Outerbridge continued his career in the Navy. From 1945 to 1946, he commanded Destroyer Division 42. Then, he joined the staff of the Naval War College. In 1949, he went back to sea. He commanded Destroyer Squadron Four. From 1950 to 1951, he was Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander of Destroyer Flotilla Four.
He also worked at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces from 1951 to 1952. From 1952 to 1953, he was Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans, Operations and Intelligence for Naval Forces in the Far East.
Outerbridge commanded the cruiser Los Angeles (CA-135) from 1953 to 1955. After that, he worked in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He retired from the Navy in 1957. When he retired, he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral.
Later Life and Legacy
In the late 1960s, Outerbridge taught science. He taught at Gulfstream School, a private school in Gulf Stream, Florida. He also taught biology for one year at the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C.
William Outerbridge passed away at his home in Tifton, Georgia, on September 20, 1986. His story was even told in a movie. He was played by actor Jerry Fogel in the 1970 film Tora! Tora! Tora!. This movie was about the attack on Pearl Harbor.
