Charles Johnston Badger
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

Charles Johnston Badger was born on 6 August 1853 in Rockville, MD, the son of Commodore Oscar C. Badger (1823-1899), U.S. Navy.

He was appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1869, graduating in 1873. Following graduation he served various assignments on Artic, Atlantic, and Asiatic stations. Badger served in USS Cincinnati (C-7) at Matanzas Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He later commanded the USS Newark and USS Chicago.

Badger was promoted to Captain on 1 July 1907 and served as the Superintendent of the Naval Academy from 1907-09; he then commanded the battleship USS Kansas until 1911.

Promoted to Rear Admiral on 8 March 1911, he served as Commander, Second Division, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and, later as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, during 1913-14.

Badger was retired by law on 6 August 1915, but continued on active duty as a member of the Navy General Board until 28 February 1921.

Medals and Awards

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his contribution as Chairman of the Navy General Board during World War I.

Honors

Two Navy ships have been named in honor of Rear Admiral Badger: USS Charles J. Badger (DD-657), and USS Badger (FF-1071).

In Retirement

After retiring, he lived in Cleveland Park, DC.

Personal

He married Sophia J. Champlin on 4 October 1882.

Rear Admiral Badger was a cousin of Secretary of the Navy George E. Badger (1790-1865); Admiral Oscar C. Badger II (1890-1958) was his son.

Death and Burial

Rear Admiral Charles Johnston Badger died on 7 September 1932. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

His wife, Sophia, preceded him in death and is buried with her husband.