Harry Dixon Sturr – Captain, United States Navy

From a contemporary press report:

Walnut Creek, California — Henry Sturr, a decorated career Navy captain who commanded World War II submarines, has died. He was 88.

Sturr died in Walnut Creek on Wednesday, August 19, 1998,  from complications following heart surgery, family members said.

Born in Sturgis, Michigan, Sturr graduated from the Naval Academy in 1933. Three years later, he joined the submarine service at Pearl Harbor.

He spent much of World War II aboard submarines patrolling the Pacific. In 1942, he received his first command, the Stingray. In 1944, he served as commander of the USS Becuna.

After commanding destroyers, attack transports and a destroyer squadron, Sturr led the Far East Military Sea Transport Service based in Yokohama, Japan.

He retired in 1961, becoming assistant director of the Museum of Science and Industry at the University of Southern California.

Sturr moved to Rossmoor, California,  in 1984.

Sturr is survived by his wife, Jane; his son, Henry Dixon Jr. of Maryland; his daughters, Mary Stuart of Orinda and Bette Nelson of Martinez; a sister, Margaret, of Wisconsin; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

 A memorial service is planned for September 12 at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. Sturr will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

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