Naval History and Heritage Command

Download PDF version [3.7 MB]

Rear Admiral Daubin, born in Lamar, Missouri, February 6, 1886, attended Lamar High School and University of Missouri in Columbia before his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy from the Fifteenth District of Missouri in 1905. While a Midshipman he was a member of the class track team and was associated editor of the “LUCKY BAG”. Graduated in June 1909, he served the two years at sea then required by law before he was commissioned Ensign, June 5, 1911. He subsequently progressed in grade until his promotion to Rear Admiral, November 26, 1941. He was transferred to the Retired List of the U.S. Navy on March 1, 1948 in the rank of Rear Admiral.

After graduation in 1909, Rear Admiral Daubin served briefly in the USS Maine, second vessel of that name, until she was placed out of commission August 31 of that year. He then served in the USS North Carolina until November 1912 when he joined the USS Castine for submarine instructions. In August 1913 he joined the First Group, Submarine Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet. Assigned to the USS C-3, he served in that submarine until December of that year when he assumed command of the USS C-4, commanding that submarine until October 1914. In November of that year he reported to the Fore River Shipbuilding Company, Quincy, Massachusetts, where he had duty in connection with fitting out “L” Boats, assuming command of the USS L-1 when she was commissioned, April 11, 1916. Detached a week later he served in the Bureau of Steam Engineering, Navy Department, Washington, D.C., until December 1917, with additional duty during that period at Boston, Massachusetts, in connection with effecting and outlining plans for the testing of certain appliances at the Submarine Signal Company and also as Member, Board for Standardization of Submarines.

In December 1917, Rear Admiral Daubin was assigned to USS Chicago, as aide on the staff of the Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet, operating on submarine patrol off Bantry Bay during the World War. Detached from that assignment in October 1918 he served until February 1919 in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C., with additional duty as member of the Board on Submarine Design. In March 1919 he reported for duty at Headquarters, U.S. Naval Forces, London, England, and on March 31 assumed command of the ex-German submarine U-111 which he brought to the United States with a Navy crew and without convoy, exhibiting her in various ports during the Victory Loan Drive. From March to November 1920 he served as First Lieutenant of the battleship Nevada, and had consecutive duty until December 1923 as engineer officer of the USS Fulton, of the USS Eagle #33, and in the USS Chewink.

From December 1923 until July 1926, Rear Admiral Daubin consecutively commanded the USS Barry and the USS Sturtevant, being commended for the excellence in torpedo practice of the latter vessel. Following duty at the Naval Proving Ground, Dahlgren, Virginia, he served from May 1929 until May 1931 as navigator of the USS New Mexico which won the Battle Efficiency Pennant during that period. The three succeeding years he was an instructor in the Department of Seamanship and Flight Tactics at the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Returning to sea, he was Commander, Destroyer Division 4, from July 1934 until June 1936, receiving a Letter of Commendation for the excellence in torpedo practice of that Division. Completing the course at the Army Industrial College, Washington, D.C., in June 1937, he again had duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. until May 1939, receiving a Letter of Commendation from the Secretary of War for his work in strategic and critical materials during that assignment.

Rear Admiral Daubin was Commander, Destroyer Squadron 6, from June 17, 1939, until January 30, 1941, when he was transferred to duty as Commander, Submarine Squadron 4, with additional duty as Commander, Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H., serving in that command when the Japanese launched their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. From March 1942 until November 1944, he was Commander, Submarines, Atlantic Fleet, and for his services in that command was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with the following citation:

Distinguished Service Medal:

“For exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commander Submarines under the Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet, from March 1942, to November 1944. By his capable and dynamic leadership, Rear Admiral Daubin was largely responsible for the excellent training techniques and procedures formulated and carried out for the intensive schooling of officers and crews for many of the Fleet submarines. Through his wide knowledge of undersea operations and his initiative and outstanding professional skill in the development of new and the perfection of old procedures and weapons, he has contributed to the splendid results of our submarine operations against the enemy and to the brilliant success of our Naval Forces. Rear Admiral Daubin’s sound judgement, distinct ability and untiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Services.”

On December 5, 1944, Rear Admiral Daubin became Commandant of the Navy Yard, New York, New York, and in December 1945, in conformity with the reorganization of shore establishments, was designated Commandant, U.S. Naval Base, New York, New York. For services in that assignment he was awarded the Legion of Merit, with the following citation:

Legion of Merit:

“For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commandant of the Navy Yard, New York, New York, from December 5, 1944, to November 1945. A skillful and resourceful administrator, Rear Admiral Daubin supervised all activities at the Navy Yard, the Annexes in outlying sections and the Bayonne Naval Supply Depot and was responsible for the construction of Naval vessels by private shipbuilding contractors in the New York Area. Under his superb direction, these activities launched or outfitted five major aircraft carries and handled over 1500 vessels for repair, alterations or conversion, drydocking 536 during this period. Maintaining a high standard of efficiency and cooperation with his command, Rear Admiral Daubin rendered invaluable service in developing and utilizing the Maspeth Annex and the Bayonne Naval Supply Depot, launching several important projects in connection with ordnance and fire control equipment, engines and parts and Naval stores. By his judgment, leadership, professional ability and conscientious devotion to duty, he contributed to the prosecution of the war and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

In March 1946, Rear Admiral Daubin was ordered to duty as Commandant, Seventeenth Naval District, Kodiak, Alaska, with additional duty as Commander, Northern Pacific, and further additional duty as Commander, Alaskan Sea Frontier, and serviced in those duties until September 1947, when he reported to Commander, Western Sea Frontier. On January 26, 1948, he was ordered relieved of all active duty pending retirement, and on March 1, 1948 he was transferred to the Retired List of the United States Navy.

In addition to the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit, Rear Admiral Daubin has the World War I Victory Medal, Escort Clasp (USS Chicago), and is entitled to have the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal; the American Area Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

He died in Bethesda, Maryland on October 24, 1959.

END