Visor Cap of Rear Admiral and WWII Submarine Commander and Navy Cross Recipient Edward Stephan

The visor cap of Admiral Stephan is a “De-Luxe” model by the Art Caps with white vinyl top and superb oak leaf embroidery on the visor surface. The body of the cap shows minor spots and soiling. The interior celluloid sweat shield is intact, within which is the card of Admiral Stephan as a Rear Admiral and Commander of the South Atlantic Force of the United States Navy. The interior leather sweatband is present and intact. Overall the cap is in excellent condition. During World War II Admiral Stephan was the Commander of the submarine “Grayback” and was decorated with the Navy Cross and multiple Silver Stars. His Navy Cross citation stated “The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Edward Clark Stephan (NSN: 0-62650), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GRAYBACK (SS-208), during the War Patrols of that submarine in 1942 and 1943. With courage and skill he attacked two escorted enemy convoys and two enemy destroyers which resulted in damaging an important amount of enemy shipping, including one destroyer. By skillful evasive tactics he eluded heavy enemy counter measures and succeeded in bringing his ship safely home. His leadership and skill throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service”.  Admiral Stephen’s postwar assignments included various submarine commands. In the mid-1950s, he was chief of legislative liaison for the Navy Department. From 1958 to 1960, he commanded the South Atlantic Force in Trinidad. From 1960 to 1963, Admiral Stephan was head of the Naval Oceanographic Office and its chief oceanographer. He was then named Chairman of the Deep Submergence Systems Review Group, studying the development of a deep sea rescue-diving bell.