Frederick Lois Riefkohl - Pre-World War II

Pre-World War II

Riefkohl was re-assigned to the Fifteenth Naval District, Balboa, Canal Zone as District Communication Officer. From 1920 to 1923, he served in various ships and in different positions, among which were Squadron Radio Officer for Destroyer Squadron 3, Atlantic Fleet, Aide and Force Radio Officer on the Staff of Commander Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet and Executive Officer of the USS Preble en route to Asiatic Station. From August 1922 until October 1923, Riefkohl served as Aide and Flag Secretary and Fleet Radio and Communication Officer to Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet.

From July 1926 to August 1928, he assumed command of the destroyer "USS Corry". He returned to the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, after a naval tour which included the ports of Port au Prince, Haiti; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and served as Executive Officer of the USS Kittery until June 1929. Riefkohl served as Chief of Staff to the governor of the Virgin Islands until April 30, 1931, when he became Commandant of the islands Naval Station. He continued to serve in various ships until he was placed in charge of the Navy Motion Picture Exchange, Navy Yard, New York, during his senior year at the Naval War College. From January 1935 to December 1936 he served as an advisor to the Argentine Navy Department at Buenos Aires, Argentina. From July 19, 1939 until April 4, 1941, Riefkohl served as War Plans Officer on the staff of the Commandant Fifteenth Naval District, Balboa, Canal Zone.