William H. Groverman

Rear Admiral (ret) William H. Groverman

Rear Admiral William H. Groverman Admiral Groverman, who retired from active duty in 1971 after more than 43 years of naval service, was considered one of the U.S. Navy's leading authorities on anti-submarine warfare and the Russian submarine fleet. Groverman was instrumental in the design and implementation of many of the Navy's anti-submarine technologies, tactics, and procedures.

In World War II, Admiral Groverman served in several destroyers and destroyer commands in the both Pacific and Atlantic fleets. He was commanding officer of the USS Philip DD-498 and the USS DeHaven DD-727 during several important battles in the Pacific campaign. While serving on the staff of Commander, Destroyers, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Groverman established the Combat Information Center program for destroyers, enabling that type of ship to establish air control procedures in the Atlantic, a critical component of the Allied war effort. For His World War II service, Groverman was awarded numerous medals, decorations and commendations, including two Silver Stars and two Bronze Stars as well as the Presidential Unit Citation.

Former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee served as a twenty-one-year-old Ensign under Groverman on the USS Philip at Guadalcanal and in other Pacific battles. Bradlee described his experiences aboard the Philip in his recent memoir, A Good Life.

In 1950, Groverman received a Commendation from President Truman for his work in the development of new submarines and anti-submarine defense. For his achievements as commander of a destroyer division in Korea, he received a third Bronze Star.

After commanding the USS Des Moines, flagship of the Sixth Fleet, in the late 50s, Groverman established the Undersea Warfare Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and became the first Director of Anti-Submarine Research and Development Programs, reporting to both the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy.

Admiral Groverman was a member of the Bohemian Club and the Pacific Union Club in San Francisco, the Burlingame Country Club in Hillsborough, California, and the Boston Club in New Orleans.

Admiral Groverman died December 25, 1996 at Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame, CA. He was 87. He is survived by his wife, Paola Copeland Groverman, formerly of New Orleans, LA.

His wife Paola writes, "DeHaven was the ship he kept close to his heart. In fact, Admiral Groverman had an oil painting of her which always traveled with him."

A V-J Day letter to his crew.

Some photos from his collection