Fred Roland Brainard

Notes:

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.

Fred married Mary Anne Munroe on 12 Mar 1885. Mary (daughter of James Munroe and Matilda Rebecca Walters) was born on 26 Sep 1860; died on 11 Oct 1938. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

As a boy, Roland and his mother lived with Roland's uncle, Frank Munroe, for several periods before and after his father died, and while he was in the Naval Academy.

Roland graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1906. He participated in the world cruise of the Great White Fleet in 1908, and served in the early torpedo boats. He did post graduate work in ordnance and then served at the Naval Ordnance Proving Grounds at Indian Head, Maryland prior to World War I.

As a Commander, Roland served as the Gunnery Officer aboard the USS Florida in the Sixth Battle Squadron, Grand Fleet, in the North Sea. He received two foreign medals for his service.

In 1919, he became Gunnery Officer on the staff of Admiral Hugh Rodman, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, when that fleet was formed and moved to the Pacific. He successively commanded a destroyer and a cruiser and attended the Naval War College. He also served in the U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance and at the Washington Gun Factory.

When World War II broke out, Roland was a rear admiral and Director of Ship Movements in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Stark. In early 1942, he was ordered to organize and train amphibious forces for the North African operation, but upon the death of Vice Admiral A. L. Bristol in his flagship at Argentia, Newfoundland on 24 Apr 1942, Roland was ordered to succeed Bristol as Commander Support Force which was later designated Task Force 4 and later still called Task Force 24. In this position, he commanded U.S., British and Canadian air and sea anti-submarine warfare during the height of the submarine attacks in the western North Atlantic.

While aboard his flagship at Argentia, he suffered a cerebral hemmorage and was physically retired but remained on active duty as Executive Vice President of the Navy Relief Society and is credited by the Society with establishing the Endowment Fund which enabled the Society to continue its work in post war years.

He received the Distinguished Service Medal for his services in the North Atlantic.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Munroe, Frank A., Jr. - The Munroes of Annapolis -
undated - 6.i., note 17

Roland married Jessie Wisdom on 1 Jun 1909. Jessie was born on 15 Sep 1884 in Of, New Orleans; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Munroe, Frank A., Jr. - The Munroes of Annapolis -
undated - 6.ii.

Notes:

Ref. (1) shows Elizabeth as a daughter of Walter Munroe Brainard, but it also says that Walter died in infancy. It is guessed that Elizabeth was actually the daughter of Walter's brother, Roland Munroe Brainard.

Elizabeth's husband, George S. James, Jr., graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1931.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Munroe, Frank A., Jr. - The Munroes of Annapolis -
undated - 7.i.

Elizabeth married George S. James, Jr. on 2 Nov 1935. George was born on 30 Nov 1910; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]