Vice Admiral Morton Lyndholm Deyo (1 July 1887 – 10 November 1973) was an officer in the United States Navy, who was a naval gunfire support task force commander of World War II.

Born on 1 July 1887 in Poughkeepsie, New York, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1911, and served over a career of 38 years.

His classmates at the Naval Academy included Harry W. Hill, George D. Murray, John W. Reeves, and Frederick L.

In the Atlantic, he commanded the destroyers which provided the first American escort assistance to allied convoys to England just prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

At the war's end, he accepted the surrender of Japanese forces at Sasebo, Kyushu and directed the Allied Occupation of Western Japan.

[6] In 1914 and 1915, Deyo served aboard the armored cruiser USS Washington under Captain Edward W. Eberle, commanding.

[7] Deyo's last tour in the Caribbean before marriage and World War I was aboard the destroyer USS Jenkins.

The District acquired its own full-time staff, gained new operational functions, and expanded administrative and logistical responsibilities.

Mahan had written, "deficient coast protection reacts unfavorably upon the war fleet, which in all its movements should be free from any responsibility for the mere safety of the ports it quits.

Service aboard one ship and command of another prepared Deyo for duty ashore in a politically and diplomatically sensitive role.

In 1914–1915, Deyo had served on the armored cruiser USS Washington during service related to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Vera Cruz, Mexico, and Cape Haitien, Haiti.

The military governor at the time was Warren Harding's appointment to fulfill his campaign promise to end the Wilson occupation of the Dominican Republic.

The crews of harbor and pilot boats, inshore scouts and patrol craft, new merchantmen, escorting vessels, all required training.

Deyo was attached to Admiral Samuel Robison's personal staff of ten officers aboard the USS Seattle in 1925–1926.

His exemplary promise as a commander at sea resulted in an appointment to the Naval War College staff immediately following his study there.

The convoy could not sit in the water, so it made numerous course changes to buy time for at-sea overhaul of those falling behind.

On return to the U.S., "Captain Deyo made a number of adversely critical comments in his report" relative to the demands of anti-submarine warfare, "leadership, seamanship and marksmanship.

[26][27] Admiral Deyo's crowning achievement in the Pacific was command of gunfire and covering force for the assault and occupation of Okinawa.

[31] Morton Deyo's last duty station, from 1946 to 1949, was as Commandant of the First Naval District, headquartered at the Boston Navy Yard.

The First Naval District exercised administrative supervision of all Navy activities in the New England states, except for Connecticut.

[32] With a background of local relationships, technical expertise, leadership and diplomatic skills, Morton Deyo was the man chosen to make it happen.

[34] Milestones[35] 1887, July 1 Born, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 1916 Married Maria Ten Eyck Decatur Mayo 1949 Retired from navy as vice admiral 1973, Nov. 10 Died, Portsmouth, N.H.