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=== <big>Clifford Harris Roper</big> === | === <big>Clifford Harris Roper</big> === | ||
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B"> | <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B"> | ||
[[File:Clifford | [[File:Clifford Harris Roper.jpeg|left|thumbnail|400px|Roper as a Midshipman. Courtesy of findagrave.com]] | ||
Clifford Harris Roper, seen here as a Captain, was born Oct 16, 1894 in Napa, California to Clifford Alvin Roper (1870–1942) and Mabel Eva Lovejoy Roper (1870–1954). His father owned a grocery store in Napa. In 1910 at age 15 he worked as a messenger boy in the Post Office. He had a younger brother named Foster (named for his grandfather whose middle name was Harris) and an even younger sister named Lotus. | |||
Clifford Harris Roper, seen here as a Captain, was born Oct 16, 1894 in Napa, California to Clifford Alvin Roper ( | |||
Roper was a 1916 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and soon after married Catherine A. Parker on June 3, 1916. They had a daughter Catherine, named for her mother. | |||
He was | He had been serving aboard the [https://www.navsource.org/archives/01/10a.htm '''USS Maine (Battleship No. 10)'''] in February 1919 but was detached to serve as an aid and staff lieutenant to Admiral Wells, commander of Battleship Division 1, Atlantic Fleet. In September 1919 he was assigned to the battleship [https://www.navsource.org/archives/01/25a.htm '''New Hampshire (Battleship No. 25)'''], but quickly volunteered for submarine duty because by 1921 he was in command of the [[R-13|'''R-13 (SS-90)''']] stationed out of Pearl Harbor. He was a highly regarded and capable officer, and was handpicked by squadron commander Chester Nimitz on May 26, 1921 to command of the [[R-14|'''R-14 (SS-91)''']], relieving [[Clarke|'''Vincent A. Clarke, Jr.''']], who had been permanently assigned as the Engineering & Repair Officer for Submarine Squadron 14. This was done in the aftermath of the famous incident in which [https://pigboats.com/index.php?title=R-14#The_Sailing_Incident '''R-14 had to raise sails'''] after running out of fuel at sea. Clarke was desperately needed at Squadron 14 and Nimitz felt that the two officers aboard R-14 needed further seasoning under an experienced CO so Roper was tapped for the job, which her performed superbly. | ||
by 1923 he was on the move again, this time as the commissioning CO of the [[S-38|'''S-38 (SS-143)''']] built at Bethlehem San Francisco. The S-38 was commissioned on May 11, 1923. | |||
In 1926 daughter Ruth A. Roper was born and later in life was married to Clark P. Jeffers. | |||
On July 1, 1936 he was promoted to Commander and | On July 1, 1936 he was promoted to Commander. He attended the Naval War College for one year in 1938, and then moved on to the staff of the College, serving there until October, 1939. Between July and November 1940 he was Commander Submarine Division Twelve, then Commander Submarine Division Forty Two until October 1, 1941. | ||
On January 1, 1942 he was promoted to full Captain and later that year was given command of the heavy cruiser | [[File:Clifford h roper2.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|Roper as a Captain. U.S. Navy Photo]] | ||
On January 1, 1942 he was promoted to full Captain and later that year was given command of the heavy cruiser [https://www.navsource.org/archives/04/032/04032.htm '''New Orleans (CA-32)''']. He was awarded a Navy Cross for his part in the Battle of Tassafaronga where the New Orleans, though heavily damaged, continued to fight the enemy to the end of the battle. Roper's inspired and steadfast leadership enabled the crew to save the ship despite her damage. | |||
Departing the New Orleans in April 1943, Roper moved on to command the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine. His submarine expertise helped to keep submarine construction on track at that vital yard. Captain Roper is shown in the photo on the right at the commissioning of the [https://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08400.htm '''USS Sea Devil (SS-400)''']. He retained that position until February 1946, when he transferred to command of the Naval Ordnance Plant in Pocatello, Idaho, which he commanded until his retirement in 1948. | |||
Clifford H. Roper retired from the Navy as a Rear Admiral and lived in San Francisco, Calif until his death on January 22, 1971. | Clifford H. Roper retired from the Navy as a Rear Admiral and lived in San Francisco, Calif until his death on January 22, 1971. | ||
He is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA. | He is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA. Plot: Section X Site 5303. His wife, daughter and son-in-law are all buried in the same plot. | ||
Plot: Section X Site 5303. | |||
Thanks to Jim Haas for adding detail to this Bio. | Thanks to Jim Haas for adding detail to this Bio. | ||
[[File:Red bar sub new.jpg]] | [[File:Red bar sub new.jpg]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:21, 3 May 2025
Clifford Harris Roper
Clifford Harris Roper, seen here as a Captain, was born Oct 16, 1894 in Napa, California to Clifford Alvin Roper (1870–1942) and Mabel Eva Lovejoy Roper (1870–1954). His father owned a grocery store in Napa. In 1910 at age 15 he worked as a messenger boy in the Post Office. He had a younger brother named Foster (named for his grandfather whose middle name was Harris) and an even younger sister named Lotus.
Roper was a 1916 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and soon after married Catherine A. Parker on June 3, 1916. They had a daughter Catherine, named for her mother.
He had been serving aboard the USS Maine (Battleship No. 10) in February 1919 but was detached to serve as an aid and staff lieutenant to Admiral Wells, commander of Battleship Division 1, Atlantic Fleet. In September 1919 he was assigned to the battleship New Hampshire (Battleship No. 25), but quickly volunteered for submarine duty because by 1921 he was in command of the R-13 (SS-90) stationed out of Pearl Harbor. He was a highly regarded and capable officer, and was handpicked by squadron commander Chester Nimitz on May 26, 1921 to command of the R-14 (SS-91), relieving Vincent A. Clarke, Jr., who had been permanently assigned as the Engineering & Repair Officer for Submarine Squadron 14. This was done in the aftermath of the famous incident in which R-14 had to raise sails after running out of fuel at sea. Clarke was desperately needed at Squadron 14 and Nimitz felt that the two officers aboard R-14 needed further seasoning under an experienced CO so Roper was tapped for the job, which her performed superbly.
by 1923 he was on the move again, this time as the commissioning CO of the S-38 (SS-143) built at Bethlehem San Francisco. The S-38 was commissioned on May 11, 1923.
In 1926 daughter Ruth A. Roper was born and later in life was married to Clark P. Jeffers.
On July 1, 1936 he was promoted to Commander. He attended the Naval War College for one year in 1938, and then moved on to the staff of the College, serving there until October, 1939. Between July and November 1940 he was Commander Submarine Division Twelve, then Commander Submarine Division Forty Two until October 1, 1941.
On January 1, 1942 he was promoted to full Captain and later that year was given command of the heavy cruiser New Orleans (CA-32). He was awarded a Navy Cross for his part in the Battle of Tassafaronga where the New Orleans, though heavily damaged, continued to fight the enemy to the end of the battle. Roper's inspired and steadfast leadership enabled the crew to save the ship despite her damage.
Departing the New Orleans in April 1943, Roper moved on to command the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine. His submarine expertise helped to keep submarine construction on track at that vital yard. Captain Roper is shown in the photo on the right at the commissioning of the USS Sea Devil (SS-400). He retained that position until February 1946, when he transferred to command of the Naval Ordnance Plant in Pocatello, Idaho, which he commanded until his retirement in 1948.
Clifford H. Roper retired from the Navy as a Rear Admiral and lived in San Francisco, Calif until his death on January 22, 1971.
He is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA. Plot: Section X Site 5303. His wife, daughter and son-in-law are all buried in the same plot.
Thanks to Jim Haas for adding detail to this Bio.
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