William D. Houser - Naval Career

Naval Career

Houser joined the United States Navy in 1941 and fought in World War II. His military career began aboard USS Nashville (CL-43) in 1941. In 1944 the vessel was subject to a kamikaze attack that killed 131 people and injured many others.

After World War II he became a naval aviator. He soon rose through the ranks to become operations officer and an executive officer of Fighter Squadron One-L.

In the Korean War Houser was assigned as commander of Fighter Squadron 44 and was awarded a Bronze star for his combat skills. He also fought in the Korean War as commander of a fighter squadron.

After Korea he was with Air Development Squadron Three and later commanded Fighter Squadron 124, which was the Navy’s largest at the time.

He also fought in the Vietnam War, serving in 1966 as commander of the Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier USS Constellation. His Vietnam service earned him the Legion of Merit.

He served as a member of the joint staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1960 to 1962 and again from 1967 to 1968. He was military assistant to the Secretary of Defense from 1962 to 1963, Director of Aviation Plans and Requirements of the United States Navy from 1968 to 1970, Commander of Carrier Division Two of the U.S. Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets from 1970 to 1972, and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations from 1972 to 1976.

In 1972 Houser was promoted to Vice Admiral. He retired from military service in 1976.

During Houser’s time in non-combat positions he was responsible for keeping on the F-14 fighter aircraft, which was at risk of termination.