David F. Sellers

David F. Sellers (February 4, 1874 – January 27, 1949) was an admiral in the United States Navy. He was the first person from New Mexico to graduate from the United States Naval Academy.[1]

David F. Sellers
Birth nameDavid Foote Sellers
Born(1874-02-04)February 4, 1874
Austin, Texas, U.S.
DiedJanuary 27, 1949(1949-01-27) (aged 74)
Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1894–1938
Rank Admiral
Commands heldUSS Stewart (DD-13)
USS Birmingham (CL-2)
USS Salem (CL-3)
USS Wisconsin (BB-9)
USS Agamemnon
USS Maryland (BB-46)
Special Service Squadron
U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General
Battleship Division One
Battleships Battle Force
United States Fleet
U.S. Naval Academy
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
Philippine–American War
World War I
Banana Wars
AwardsNavy Cross
Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Biography
Admiral Sellers (left) in the control cabin of the airship USS Macon alongside the ship's commanding officer, Commander Alger H. Dresel.

David Foote Sellers was a native of Austin, Texas. He joined the United States Navy in 1890 and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from New Mexico.[2] Sellers graduated in 1894, the first from New Mexico to graduate from the Academy, standing fifth in his class of 47. After his mandatory two-year cruise aboard the New York, he returned to take his final exams, passed with honors, and finished second in his class overall.[1] After graduation, he served in various sea assignments until 1898, including service on the Massachusetts, Essex, Alliance, Independence and Philadelphia. During the Spanish–American War he participated in the Samoan Campaign and the Philippine–American War while serving aboard the New York. From 1904 until 1907 he commanded the Stewart. Following his destroyer service he was assigned shore duty at the Bureau of Navigation, was a Naval Aide to the White House and then served on the staff of the Commander-In-Chief, United States Asiatic Fleet, Rear Admiral William S. Cowles.

During 1914 until 1915, Sellers served as executive officer of the battleship Arkansas. He then commanded the cruisers Birmingham and Salem and attended the Naval War College.[3] Promoted to captain, Sellers served as commanding officer of the battleship Wisconsin in 1917. From 1918 through the end of First World War, he commanded the transport Agamemnon. Sellers was awarded the Navy Cross for his service during that war.[2] Following the war, he taught at the Naval War College[3] and served as Naval Aide to Secretary of the Navy Edwin C. Denby. Sellers commanded the battleship Maryland from 1922 until 1923. In 1923, he was a member of the Court of Inquiry investigating the Honda Point disaster.[4]

Sellers was promoted to rear admiral in 1927 and served as Commander, Special Service Squadron during the Nicaraguan Uprising, earning the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.[5] Following his service with the squadron, he served as Judge Advocate General of the Navy from 1929 until 1931. Then Commander, Battleship Division One from 1931–1932. In 1932, Sellers was promoted to vice admiral and was assigned as Commander, Battleships Battle Force, United States Fleet. He was promoted to Admiral on June 10, 1933, and assigned as Commander-in-Chief United States Fleet and continued to serve until June 18, 1934. In 1934 he was reassigned as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy and served in this capacity until his retirement.

He retired on March 1, 1938 and lived in Washington, D.C. He died from a cerebral hemorrhage at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in 1949[6] and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[7]

Personal life

In 1905, he married Anita Clay Evans (1877–1954), the daughter of Henry Clay Evans.[8]

Namesake
  • USS Sellers, a guided missile destroyer, was named in his honor.

See also

References
  1. "David Foote Sellers". Santa Fe Daily New Mexican. Santa Fe, NM. June 3, 1896. p. 4. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  2. "Sellers". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  3. Register of Officers 1884–1977. The United States Naval War College. 1977. pp. 22–23. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  4. "Report of Court of Inquiry on Wrecked Destroyers: Bad Judgment and Faulty Navigation Charged". Army and Navy Journal. Vol. LXI, no. 10. November 3, 1923. p. 217. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  5. "David Foote Sellers". Military Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  6. "Adm. Sellers, Retired Chief Of Fleet, Dies". The Washington Post. January 28, 1949. p. B2. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  7. "Sellers, David F". ANC Explorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  8. "Dress Navy Uniforms Make Pretty Wedding". The Washington Times. Washington, DC. November 1, 1905. p. 6. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
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