From 1938 until 1940, he was assigned to Cruiser Scouting Squadron 6, attached to the USS NEW ORLEANS, Pacific Fleet. As a World War II veteran, he was a Pearl Harbor survivor at the outbreak of World War II in December 1941 while he served with Patrol Squadron 11 in Hawaii. He commanded Patrol Squadron 91 from 1942 until 1943, serving in the Solomon Islands Campaign, South Pacific.
He was also a veteran of Guadalcanal and Midway campaigns as a PBY pilot and Wing Commander of the "Black Cat" squadron.
He then reported to Staff Naval Air Training Command in FL where he served until 1945. He was ordered to USS SALERNO BAY (CVE-110) as Executive Officer of the carrier escort vessel throughout the latter months of hostilities in the Pacific.
Duty on the staff at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, from 1947 until 1950, preceded his assignment as Aviation Plans and Special Weapons Officer on the Staff of Commander Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet. In 1953 he reported as Chief of the Operations and Training Branch, Headquarters, Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe. In 1954 he was transferred to Headquarters, Allied Forces, Southern Europe in Italy where he served as Chief of the Special Weapons Branch until 1955. He then had duty as member of the Nuclear Weapons Rainbow Team, Joint Strategic Plans Group, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, DC. In 1957 he assumed command of the USS YORKTOWN (CVA-10) in the Pacific Fleet. In 1958 he was ordered to duty as deputy Secretary to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, DC. From 1960 to 1961 he was Chief of Staff of Carrier Division FIVE, Pacific Fleet. Following his selection to flag rank in 1961, he served as Commander Carrier Division NINETEEN, Pacific Fleet. In 1962 he reported as Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel, Navy Department, and in 1964 became Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel. From 1965 to 1966 he served as Commander Carrier Division TWO in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. He was then ordered as the Deputy Director of the Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, DC. His title changed to Vice Director. From 1968 until 1970 he served as Chief, Joint U.S. Military Group, Madrid, Spain. On September 30, 1970, Rear Admiral Cobb became the 27th Commandant of the Fifth Naval District and Commander Naval Base, Norfolk, VA. He retired from the US Navy in 1973.
Rear Admiral Cobb’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendations and numerous campaign medals. In addition to these and the Distinguished Service Medal, and Distinguished Flying Cross, he has the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal (Europe-Asia Clasp) and the National Defense Medal with Bronze Star.
He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross “For heroism and extraordinary achievement as Commander of a patrol plane during actions against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area from Sept. 1 to Oct. 23, 1942”. The citation continued “By means of flares Lieutenant Commander Cobb illuminated Japanese Naval Unit which bombarded Guadalcanal on the night of Sept. 5, 1942. Meeting Aerial torpedo raid against strong hostile force in the night of Oct 15, he not only scored direct hits himself, but also remained in contact with the enemy and directed other attacking planes to target. On the night of Oct. 18 he led successful bombing assault in Japanese shore installations on island Guadalcanal. His superb flying skill and courageous devotion to duty maintained with utter disregard of personal safety were in keeping with highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.”
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal “For exceptionally meritorious service as Deputy Director Joint Chiefs of Staff from Jan. 1967 to Sept. 1968 in this assignment which embraces the development and prosecution of U.S. national, political and military policy he has displayed inspiring leadership and superb professional competence in supervising, coordinating and guiding Joint Staff and other agencies of the organization of Joint Chiefs of Staff. During a period of recurrent serious international crisis he made significant contributions of the effectiveness and responsiveness of staff support provided to Director, Joint Staff, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of Defense. Rear Admiral Cobb was highly instrumental in the review of automation within the organization of Joint Chiefs of Staff and in the planning, budgeting, developmental growth, and efficient use of automatic data processing in organization. “
He has the ribbon for Presidential Unit Citation awarded First Marine Division reinforced with which he served on several occasions while flying with Patrol Squadron 11 and 91 and the ribbon for Navy Unit Commendation awarded Patrol Squadron 91 “Black Cats”, “Dumbo” “Night Fighting” missions in Pacific.
Shortly after retirement he devoted himself to his favorite hobbies which included sailboating and long distance running. He and a partner established “Cobb & Stokes Offshore Yachts” in Annapolis, MD. During the next 15 years (until his late 70's) while participating in boating related activities, he ran 13 Marathon races including the Marine Marathon in Washington, DC. He frequently won 1st place in his age group. He then replaced running with walking an average of 5 miles a day until his early 90's.
James Cobb is remembered as a man of great integrity, generosity, patriotism, can-do attitude and optimism.
He is survived by Yvonne Keller, his loving wife of 53 years, three sons from his first wife Enid (deceased), David Ayrton (Bunny), Peter Carroll (Donna), Michael Sherman (Mary Lou) two children from his second marriage to Yvonne, James Monte (Robyn), Claudia Ann (Ray), one sister Mary, 10 grandchildren and 7 great grand children.
A full honors burial service took place on September 26, 2008 at the Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.
For video highlights, please visit:http://www.youtube.com/JamesOCobb
