Lawrence Fairfax Reifsnider

Lawrence Fairfax Reifsnider (November 26, 1887 – May 14, 1956) was an American football player and a vice admiral in the United States Navy. A native of Westminster, Maryland, Reifsnider attended the United States Naval Academy where he played college football at the end position for the Navy Midshipmen football team. He was selected by Walter Camp in 1908 as a second-team All-American.[1][2] He graduated in 1910 and was commissioned as an ensign on March 7, 1912.[3][4]

Lawrence Fairfax Reifsnider
Lawrence F. Reifsnider in 1932
Navy Midshipmen
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1910–1949
Rank Vice Admiral
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsNavy Cross
Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Legion of Merit
PositionEnd
Class1910
Personal information
Born:November 26, 1887
Westminster, Maryland
Died:May 14, 1956 (age 68)
San Diego, California
Career history
CollegeU.S. Naval Academy
Career highlights and awards
second-team All-American (1908)

After graduating from the Naval Academy, Reifsnider served in the United States Navy until December 1949, attaining the rank of vice admiral.[5] He served as a submarine commander in World War I, aboard the USS O-5 and USS E-2 submarines, and was awarded the Navy Cross. He later commanded the cruiser USS Memphis, served as chief of the United States Naval Mission in Colombia, as chief of the Pacific Fleet Amphibious Training Command, and as commandant of the Eighth Naval district in New Orleans. He received the Legion of Merit and three Distinguished Service Medals for his service in World War II leading amphibious landing transport forces in the Pacific theatre.[6][7]

He lived in Coronado, California after his retirement and died at the Naval Hospital in San Diego.[6] Reifsnider and his wife Louise (Munroe) Reifsnider (July 22, 1887 – September 17, 1969) were interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.[8]

References
  1. "Camp's 1908 All-America Selections". Reading Eagle. November 26, 1930.
  2. "Walter Camp Football Foundation". Archived from the original on 2009-03-30.
  3. Lucky Bag (PDF). Annapolis, Maryland: U.S. Naval Academy. 1910. p. 158. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  4. Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. January 1, 1913. pp. 54–55. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  5. Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Bureau of Naval Personnel. January 1, 1950. p. 402. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  6. "Admiral Reifsnider, 37 Years in the Navy". The New York Times. May 16, 1956. p. 35. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  7. "Lawrence Fairfax Reifsnider". Military Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  8. "Reifsnider". Nationwide Gravesite Locator. National Cemetery Administration. Retrieved 2022-03-31.


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