Admiral Robert Stocker

Distinguished Services Were Rewarded With Prized Navy Cross.

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General Louis Scherer, a former resident of New Ulm who is now in charge of National Guard work and who is located in Washington D. C., has sent the accompanying photograph of Rear Admiral Robert Stocker, also a former New Ulm boy, who recently retired from his duties in the Navy.

Friends of these men will appreciate hearing of them again. The Washington Evening Star had the following to say about Rear Admiral Stocker:”Invulnerability of battleships, particularly from underwater attack, will stand as a monument to the ability of Rear Admiral Robert Stocker. Construction Corps, U. S. N., who Saturday was relieved of all active duty in the Bureau of Construction and Repair of the Navy Department. The security of the capital ships of today is due for the most part, to this officer, whose expert knowledge of construction and the effects of explosives enabled him to design the vessels which today are the pride of the American Navy. With none of the glamour of action that is found in service with the fleet, this officer has made it possible for such vessels to go out, secure in their construction to withstand outboard attack from the submarine.

About the time of his assignment of the Bureau of Construction and Repair as head of the design branch, the submarine was just becoming a menace to all types of surface ships. Due to his exhaustive studies and tests and his intimate practical, as well as theoretical knowledge, by interpreting the tests correctly, he developed the effective protection which the battleships now possess against all known forms of under-water attack.

Admiral Stocker has been one of the outstanding figures of the Navy’s construction corps. He holds the Navy cross for distinguished service. Admiral Stocker was retired last November, but has been kept in active service until yesterday. He was born at New Ulm, Minn., January, 1866.

“Thru the courtesy of the Evening Star we are able to publish the picture of Admiral Stocker with the article as it appeared in their issue of March 3.

New Ulm Review,

April 8, 1925

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