My Navy Memories

CDR R.T. DANIEL, JR.



My Memoriesof the Navy


Biographical Sketch
Royal Thomas Daniel, Jr.
Commander, U.S. Navy Retired


CDR Royal Thomas Daniel, Jr. was born 5 June, 1922 in Granville County, North Carolina, the son of Royal T. and Willie Lee Daniel. The Commander entered the United States Naval Academy in 1941, was graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in June, 1944 and commissioned on June 7, 1944 as an Ensign in the Line.

Since his commissioning he has served in succession as Commanding Officer, USS LCS(L) No.8 and USS LCS(L) No.47; student at Combat Information Center School, U.S. Naval Air Station St. Simmons Island, Georgia; Executive Officer, USS ELSM No.445; Combat Information Center officer, USS MISSISSIPPI; Assistant Combat Information Center Officer and Combat Information Center Electronics Officer on the Staff of Commander Operations DevelopmentForce, Instructor, Department of Electrical Engineering U.S. Naval Academy Engineering Officer and Operations Officer. USS BASILONE; Staff Secretary and Aide to the Commandant Fifth Naval District; student at the U.S. Armed Forces Staff College; Executive Officer USS EVERETT F. LARSON; Commanding Officer, USS VANCE; Head New Developments Research Branch, Bureau of Naval Personnel; Commanding Officer. USS DECATUR; Head Operation Department U.S. Naval Destroyer School Newport, Rhode Island; Commander of Escort Squadron 16; Executive Officer and acting Commanding Officer U.S. Service School Great Lakes Illinois. Retired from active duty on 1 April, 1967.

During World War II, Commander Daniel Participated in operations in support of landings, in the Philippines at Zambales, Subic Bay, Marvieles Bay, Corregidor, Legaspi and Manila, and in Borneo at Tarskan and Balikpapan. He also participated in San Bernado Straits Area Mine Sweeping and in the North China and Korea Occupation.

After World War II he served both in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean Area. He was one of the first designated Naval Jet All Weather Air Cotrollers. He assisted in the testing and evaluation of Naval Weapon and Support Systems. The USS DECATUR under his Command retrieved the first U.S. Orbited Space Capsule. The Commander was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" Clasp. He is also authorized to wear the American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (3 stars); Victory Medal - World War II; Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asian Clasp);China Service Medal; Philippine Liberation Ribbon (1 star); National Defense Service Medal; the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation; Navy Expeditionary and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

After retirement, he joined Abbott Laboratories as Senior Corporate Representative and Resident Engineer during the construction of a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico and a hospital product plant in Laurinburg, North Carolina. Upon completion of the plant in North Carolina, he joined R.W. Moore Equipment Company in Raleigh, North Carolina. He assisted in the management and expansion of the John Deere Industrial Dealerships. In 1979 he assisted Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina in their renovation and expansion project. Upon completion of the Asheville project, he assisted Wake County Hospital Systems, Inc. in their expansion and renovation projects.

Commander Daniel was married to the former Lillian Martha Ellis of Durham, North Carolina on 23 January, 1947, in Glynn County, Georgia. They have six children; April Deborah; Jack Frederick; Autumn Denise; Royal Thomas III, Amelia Deloris (deceased); and Thomas Joseph.

He is owner and President, of Daniel Enterprises, Inc. a Consultant firm.
- Licensed in the State of North Carolina as: Real Estate Broker, Insurance Adjuster; Contractor General Unclassified Unlimited, Electrical Unlimited, Plumbing and Heating Class 1, Refrigeration Unlimited
- Federal Civil Service; Senior Professional Engineer and Senior General Manager
- Certified North Carolina Hospital Engineer and Plant Engineer by American Institute of Plant Engineering
- Serve on Panel of Arbitration American Arbitration Association
- Director U.S. Navy League North Carolina Triangle Council.


Return to NMF
Return to Photos
Bridge