James Meredith Helm – Rear Admiral, United States Navy

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Rear Admiral James Meredith Helm (16 December 1855-28 October 1927) was an officer in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War.

Born at Grayville, Illinois, Helm graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1875. He served in various ships and abroad until the Spanish-American War, when he commanded gunboat Hornet. In the blockade of Cuba, he captured a Spanish steamer and three contraband schooners, and was advanced five numbers in grade for outstanding performance at the Battle of Manzanillo 30 June 1898. Helm subsequently commanded Idaho and Wabash.

During World War I, Rear Admiral Helm was Commandant of the 4th Naval District and received the Navy Cross for his achievements.

He retired 16 December 1919 and died 28 October 1927.

The destroyer USS Helm (DD-388) was named for him.

HELM, JAMES MEREDITH
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy
Commandant, Fourth Naval District
Date of Action: World War I

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to James M. Helm, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as commandant of the Fourth Naval District.

Editor Ray Long published in Cosmopolitan the letters of Miss Edith Benham, social secretary to President Woodrow Wilson and his second wife, written to her fiance Rear Admiral James M. Helm. Social Secretary Benham reported almost daily to her Admiral the progress of the Paris Peace Conference as she observed it from the Wilson’s Paris headquarters, the ornate Bischoffsheim house at 11 Place des Etats Unis.

HELM, JAMES MEREDITH
REAR ADMI USN RET

  • DATE OF DEATH: 10/28/1927
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 15  SITE LOT 34
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

HELM, EDITH BENHAM WIDOW OF JAMES MEREDGTH

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 10/06/1874
  • DATE OF DEATH: 08/06/1962
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 15  SITE 34 N.S.
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF JM HELM, R/ADM U. S. N.

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