David Harrington Bagley
Admiral, U.S. Navy

David Harrington Bagley was born in The Hague, Netherlands to David Worth and Mary Louise Harrington Bagley. His father was assigned as a U.S. Navy officer and he grew up at various naval installations around the world. David's father retired as an Admiral in the U.S. Navy and his brother, Worth Harrison Bagley, also retired as a U.S. Navy Admiral.

David was a member of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1944, which actually graduated in June 1943. During World War II he participated in combat operations aboard destroyers in the Pacific.

Postwar sea duty included service aboard destroyers and cruisers and Command of the destroyer USS Henderson, the frigate USS Luce and the cruiser USS Oklahoma City. He was Commander of a cruiser and destroyer group in San Diego and the Western Pacific, and Commander of a 7th Fleet cruiser and destroyer group that participated in combat operations during the war in Vietnam.

Bagley's shore assignments included service at the Naval Academy; student at the Naval War College; duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; and in an International Security Affairs Unit in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

He was Executive Assistant and Naval Aide to the Undersecretary of the Navy and served in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Bagley served as Chief of Naval Personnel from 1972-75.

On 21 May 1975, Bagley was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and became Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. He retired from the Navy in 1977.

Medals and Awards

Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2 Awards)
Legion of Merit (4 Awards)

In Retirement

After retiring from the Navy, Admiral Bagley became an enthusiastic amateur genealogist. He remained in the Washington area where he had lived since 1956.

Death and Burial

Admiral David Harrington Bagley died of cancer on 7 April 1992 at his home in Vienna, VA. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, in Section 8.

His wife of 45 years, the Charlotte Lee Hartwell Bagley, died on 15 September 1991 and is buried with her husband.

The Admiral's survivors include five children: Marie Louise Luddy of Marin County, CA, David W. Bagley II of San Diego, CA, Dr. Peter H. Bagley of Weston, MA, Christopher H. Bagley of Los Angeles, CA, and Laura Ridderhof of Smyrna, DE.