Ferdinand Louis Reichmuth

Class of 1905: Vice Admiral in the Navy

Ferdinand Louis Reichmuth was an officer of the United States Navy from 1902 to 1946. He held commands during both World War I and World War II and ultimately achieved the rank of vice admiral.

He was born April 11, 1884, in Beloit, Kansas. He came to Ripon with his family where his parents, Ferdinand G. C. Reichmuth and Johana Christiane “Clotilde” Graff, ran a bakery and restaurant. The family lived in the home later known at The Republican House at 303 Blackburn St. from 1885 to 1890.

He attended Ripon before his appointment to the United States Naval Academy from the state of Wisconsin in 1902. While a midshipman, he was a member of the rowing crew. He graduated in February 1906.

Reichmuth was commander of a battleship during World War I. He was in command when the Navy turned over old destroyers to Great Britain in return for island bases in the Atlantic prior to the U.S. actively entering World War II, then he was in command of the battleship Mississippi.

Other positions included chief of staff and aid to the commander of the battleships of the battle force in 1936; commandant of the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.; and chief of Naval operations.

As the culmination of his long military career, he received the Legion of Merit, a military award of the United States Armed Forces. The citation summed up his achievements: “For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commandant, Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., Commandant, Potomac River Naval Command, and Superintendent, United States Naval Gun Factory, September 15, 1942 to April 10, 1946.

“Displaying foresight and initiative, Rear Admiral Reichmuth organized and administered the large number of Naval Personnel assigned to the Washington Area. As Superintendent of the Naval Gun Factory, he was instrumental in enlarging the production of his factory, and in training numerous personnel to guide the successful production elsewhere, In addition, he supervised the design, development and construction of new arid improved guns and mounts, thereby contributing to the creation of a Navy second to none.

“His sound judgment, high professional attainments and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Rear Admiral Reichmuth and the United States Naval Service.”

He also received the Victory Medal, Atlantic Fleet Clasp; American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; American Campaign Medal; and World War II Victory Medal.

He received Ripon’s Distinguished Alumni Citation in 1947.

He died Aug. 16, 1978, at age 94.