Badger was promoted to rear admiral on March 8, 1911,[1] and given command of the 2nd Division, U.S. Atlantic Fleet with his flag on the battleship USS Louisiana.

[3] During the Tampico Affair, Rear Admiral Badger commanded the U.S. Atlantic Fleet with his flag on the battleship USS Wyoming.

[2] Because of World War I, he remained on active duty until February 28, 1921, having received special authorization through a naval appropriation bill provision.

Their son was Oscar Charles Badger II (1890–1958) who received the Medal of Honor for heroism at Vera Cruz in 1914 and went on to serve in both world wars.

[9] A resident of Washington, D.C.,[3] Rear Admiral Badger died September 8, 1932 in Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania,[4][11] and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.