United States First Fleet

The First Fleet was a unit of the United States Navy, in operation from as early as 1946 (but definitely active by 1948 as the First Task Fleet) to 1 February 1973 in the western Pacific Ocean as part of the Pacific Fleet. In 1973, it was disestablished and its duties assumed by the Third Fleet.

Vice Admiral A. E. Montgomery was named as Commander, First Task Fleet, in an air station report of July 1947, with an inspection visit by a group of senior officers. The old cruiser USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) was sunk as an atomic bomb test target during First Task Fleet manoeuvers in May 1948. USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13) became the flagship of Vice Admiral G.F. Bogan (Commander First Task Fleet) on 25 March 1949. USS Curtiss (AV-4) served as flagship for Commander First Fleet early in 1949 for three weeks of amphibious operations in Alaskan waters to evaluate cold weather equipment. USS Helena (CA-75) served as flagship for Commander, First Fleet, from January 1960-March 1963. USS Providence (CL-82) served as flagship in San Diego from 1969 until April 1972, except for yard overhaul in 1970 when USS Chicago (CA-136) assumed the role.

Commanders

 * Admiral Raymond A. Spruance (August 5, 1943-November 8, 1945)
 * Admiral John H. Towers (November 8, 1945-January 18, 1946)
 * Admiral Frederick C. Sherman (January 18-September 3, 1946)
 * Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery (September 5, 1946-August 14, 1947)
 * Vice Admiral George D. Murray (August 14, 1947-August 1948)
 * Vice Admiral Laurence T. DuBose (August 1948-8 January 1949)
 * Vice Admiral Gerald F. Bogan (8 January 1949-1 February 1950)
 * Vice Admiral Harold M. Martin (15 February-28 March 1951)
 * Vice Admiral Arthur D. Struble (28 March 1951-24 March 1952)
 * Vice Admiral Joseph J. Clark (March 24-May 20, 1952)
 * Vice Admiral Ingolf N. Kiland	(May 20-July 16, 1952)
 * Vice Admiral Ralph A. Ofstie (July 16, 1952-February 23, 1953)
 * Vice Admiral Harold M. Martin (February 23-October 1, 1953)
 * Vice Admiral William K. Phillips (October 1, 1953-August 1, 1955)
 * Vice Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood (August 1, 1955-June 18, 1956)
 * Vice Admiral Robert L. Dennison (June 18, 1956-July 23, 1958)
 * Vice Admiral Ruthven F. Libby (July 23, 1958-April 30, 1960)
 * Vice Admiral U.S. Grant Sharp, Jr. (April 30-July 14, 1960)
 * Vice Admiral Charles L. Melson (July 14, 1960-April 12, 1962)
 * Vice Admiral Frank Virden (April 12-May 5, 1962)
 * Vice Admiral Robert T. Keith (5 May 1962-11 December 1963)
 * Vice Admiral Paul D. Stroop (May 5, 1962-January 25, 1964)
 * Vice Admiral Ephraim P. Holmes (January 25-July 18, 1964)
 * Vice Admiral Lawson P. Ramage (July 18, 1964-July 29, 1966)
 * Vice Admiral Bernard F. Roeder (July 29, 1966-September 30, 1969)
 * Vice Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, Jr. (September 30, 1969-August 1, 1970)
 * Vice Admiral Raymond E. Peet (August 1, 1970-May 15, 1972)
 * Vice Admiral Nels B. Johnson (May 15-July 17, 1972)
 * Vice Admiral James F. Calvert (July 17, 1972–January 30, 1973)

Sources and references

 * http://www.kadiak.org/navy/1947apr_jun.txt
 * http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/dafs/AV/av13-history.html (USS Salisbury Sound)
 * http://members.tripod.com/~USS_Helena_CA75/helena1.html (USS Helena)
 * http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-m/hm-martn.htm (Naval Historical Center)