Francis Stuart Low

Francis Stuart Low CBE (August 15, 1894 – January 22, 1964) was a decorated officer of the United States Navy with the rank of four-star Admiral. An expert in submarine warfare, Low is credited with the idea that twin-engined Army bombers could be launched from an aircraft carrier. This idea was later adopted for the planning of the Doolittle Raid. Low distinguished himself as Chief of Staff, U.S. Tenth Fleet during the U-boat campaign in the Atlantic Ocean and completed his career in 1956 as Commander, Western Sea Frontier, and Commander Pacific Reserve Fleet. Early career Francis S. Low was born on August 15, 1894, in Albany, New York, as the son of late Commander William Franklin Low, USN, and Mrs. Anna (Stuart) Low. His family later moved to Newton, Massachusetts, and young Francis attended high school there. He subsequently received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in summer of 1911. While at the Academy, Low was active in the swimming team and held record in 220-Yard swimming. He was nicknamed "Frog" by his classmates and graduated with Bachelor's degree in June 1915.