Ephraim P. Holmes

Ephraim P. Holmes
Admiral Ephraim P. Holmes
Born	(1908-05-14)May 14, 1908 Downsville, New York
Died	February 23, 1997(1997-02-23) (aged 88) Williamsburg, Virginia
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1930–1970
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	Atlantic Fleet
Battles/wars	World War II Cold War
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Bronze Star
Other work	Executive director, Virginia Port Authority

Ephraim Paul Holmes (May 14, 1908 – February 23, 1997) was a four-star admiral in the United States Navy who served as commander in chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic from 1967 to 1970.

Born in Downsville, New York to Edward Holmes and Dolly Hathaway, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1930.

Commissioned ensign on June 5, 1930, his first assignment was aboard the light cruiser Milwaukee. In January 1931, he transferred to the newly commissioned heavy cruiser Augusta, remaining with the vessel for its shakedown cruise and subsequent operations with the Scouting Force off the East Coast.

Detached in May 1932, he was sent to China waters to join the heavy cruiser Houston, flagship of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet, which was operating near Shanghai to protect American interests in the aftermath of the Sino-Japanese incident of 1932. From May 1933 to July 1935 he was assigned as gunnery officer and first lieutenant of the destroyer Peary for duty with the Yangtze River Patrol.

In 1936, he returned to the United States for instruction in applied communications at the Naval Postgraduate School in Annapolis, Maryland. In July 1938, he reported aboard the battleship Maryland, serving as turret officer for the first year, then as fire control and plotting room officer.