Biography
Born in Woodbury, Kentucky to a Jewish family, Bloch graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1899. He commanded USS Plattsburg (ID-1645) during World War I, and the USS California (BB-44) from 1927 to 1929.
He served as the Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet from 1938 to 6 January 1940, as was customary holding the temporary grade of Admiral. Following this assignment, he reverted to his permanent grade, Rear Admiral (Upper Half), and commanded the Fourteenth Naval District at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack. He later served on the General Board of the Navy from 1942-1945.
He retired as a full admiral in 1945 and died in Washington, D.C. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Bloch was the highest ranking Jewish officer in the armed forces until well after the Second World War.
Read more about this topic: Claude C. Bloch
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