John H. Newton (original) (raw)

John Henry Newton (December 13, 1881 – May 2, 1948) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Vice Admiral. He distinguished himself as Commanding officer of destroyer USS Patterson during World War I and received the Navy Cross, the United States Navy second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. Following the War, Newton remained in the Navy and reached the flag rank during World War II, serving as Commander, South Pacific Area and Inspector General of the Pacific Fleet under his Naval Academy classmate, Fleet admiral Chester W. Nimitz.