Rear Adm. George Franklin Neal was born in Rhea Springs, Tenn., on May 2, 1879. He attended the University of Tennessee before his apointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated Jan. 20, 1901 and served as a midshipman on USS Kearsarge and USS Yankton.
Following his commissioning as ensign, he served on USS Castine, USS Independence, USS Cincinnati, USS Cheyene, USS Lancaster, USS South Carolina, USS North Carolina and USS Illinois.
By 1915, he was a lietuenant commander and assumed command of USS Cummings. Other ships he commanded included USS Dorsey, USS Ramapo and the receiving ship Boston.
He served as an aide to Secretary of the Navy Curtis Wilbur in 1927.
Following his tour at NTC, he commanded the Minecraft Battle Force and served as a senior member of the Board of Inspection and Survey in Long Beach, Calif.
He served as president of the General Court Martial, 12th Naval District, San Francisco, until his retirement on Feb. 1, 1941.
During his career, Rear Adm. Neal was awarded the "Companion of the Distinguished Service Order of Great Britain"; the Spanish Campaign Medal; the World War I Victory Medal (destroyer clasp); and the American Defense Service Medal.
Center Commanders
