James Joseph Raby – Rear Admiral, United States Navy

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ADMIRAL RABY KILLED IN AUTO WRECK IN SOUTH

Aide and Wife Hurt as Car Turns Over

SAVANNAH, Georgia, January 15, 1934 – Rear Admiral James Joseph Raby, 59 years old, who took out the first merchant convoy under American escort in the World War, was killed today in an automobile accident 31 miles south of here.

Accompanied by Lieutenant E. B. Abernathy, his aide, and Mrs. Abernathy, he was on his way from Florida to Charleston, South Carolina, when the car turned over in attempting to pass another.  The three were thrown clear of the car as the machine, driven by Lieutenant Abernathy, went out of control.

The Admiral suffered a fractured skull and died within 15 minutes.  Mrs. Abernathy was brought to a hospital here suffering severe shock and undetermined injuries.  Lieutenant Abernathy was slightly cut over one eye.

The body of Admiral Raby was placed aboard a midnight train for Charleston.  A Navy Board of Inquiry assembled at Charleston and came here, opening its formal investigation at 8 P.M.  Its findings will be forwarded to Washington.

Admiral Raby has a distinguished record and had been transferred from command of the Sixth Naval District, with headquarters at Charleston, to San Francisco to assume command of the Twelfth District.

He held a commission as Air Pilot and often flew his own plane.

Born in Bay City, Michigan, September 17, 1874, he was graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1895.  He advanced through the grades to the rank of Rear Admiral in 1927.

He commanded successfully during the War the Albany, Missouri and Georgia and was later commander of the destroyer squadron.  He commanded the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, 1923 to 1926, and previously had seen service at San Francisco and as instructor in the Naval Academy as in the Naval Operations Office in Washington.

Admiral Raby left Miami, Florida, yesterday, where he had been attending the all-American air meet.  He was to have reported at San Francisco to assume his new command on February 1.

His wife was the former Miss Jane Callaghan of San Francisco.

NOTE: The Admiral’s son, John Raby, Rear Admiral, United States Navy, is buried in the same section in Arlington National Cemetery.

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RABY, JAMES JOSEPH

  • REAR ADMIRAL USN
  • DATE OF DEATH: 01/15/1934
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 6  SITE 9629
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

RABY, JANE CALLAGHAN W/O JAMES JOSEPH

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 12/20/1875
  • DATE OF DEATH: 10/31/1957
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 6  SITE 9629 N H
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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