Ralph Wynne Cousins

Admiral, U.S. Navy

Ralph Wynne Cousins was born on 24 July 1915 in Eldorado, OK, the only son of Richard Clyde and Louise Hennessy Cousins. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in the Class of 1937.

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Cousins was designated Naval Aviator #6882 in 1940.

As an aircraft carrier pilot, Cousins led dive-bomber attacks against the Imperial Japanese Navy at the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942 for which he was awarded the Navy Cross. During the Vietnam War from 1967-1969, Cousins commanded the attack carrier strike force of five carriers stationed off the coast of Vietnam.

On 30 October 1970, Cousins was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and appointed Vice Chief of Naval Operations. From 1972-75, he served as Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT); Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Command (CINCLANT); and Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT).

Admiral Cousins retired from the Navy in 1975.

Medals and Awards

Navy Cross

Distinguished Service Medal

Legion of Merit

Air Medal

In Retirement

Cousins served as President and Executive of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock until his retirement in 1985.

Death and Burial

Admiral Ralph Wynne Cousins died on 5 August 2009 from complications from a fall in Newport News, VA, where he had lived since his retirement. His wife of 60 years, Mary McBride, died in 2007. He left no immediate survivors.