Fitzhugh Lee III

Lee was born on August 19, 1905, to George Mason Lee (1877–1934), a U.S. Army Cavalry officer stationed in the Philippines, and his wife, Kathro Larrabee Burton (1878–1943). He was a grandson of former Virginia governor Fitzhugh Lee, great-grandson of Admiral Sydney Smith Lee, and great-great-grandson of "Light Horse Harry" Lee. He was a member of the United States Naval Academy's class of 1926.

Lee in Japan in September 1945

After graduating from the academy, Lee served as a pilot, seeing service on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) before the outbreak of World War II. During the war, he was promoted to captain and was given command of the USS Manila Bay (CVE-61), which he saw through the Battle of Leyte Gulf and Battle off Samar. He was present at the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on September 2, 1945. During the administration of Harry S. Truman, Lee served as an aide to Navy Secretary John L. Sullivan. He retired in 1967, shortly after being presented with the Gray Eagle Award.

Memorial to Fitzhugh Lee III at Hollywood Cemetery

Lee died in 1992 and was buried at sea in the Pacific Ocean, though a memorial exists in the family plot in Richmond, Virginia's Hollywood Cemetery beside his parents and grandparents.