Vice Admiral Alfred Melville Pride
Commander of the United States Seventh Fleet
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Vice Admiral's Flag
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Alfred Melville Pride was born in Somerville, Massachusetts, on September 10, 1897. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force early in 1917 as a machinist mate second class. On September 17, 1918, he was appointed Ensign in the Naval Reserve Flying Corps. He transferred to the regular service in 1921
During the period 1932-34, Admiral Pride commanded Bombing Squadron FIVE and Fighting Squadron THREE on the USS Langley. He assumed command of the new aircraft carrier USS BELLEAU WOOD in March 1943. He commanded the light carrier until March, 1944, serving in nearly every major combat area in the Pacific.
In March, 1944, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and ordered to duty as Commandant Naval Air Center, Fourteenth Naval District, at Pearl Harbor. He remained there until April of 1945, when he became Commander Air Support Control Unit, Amphibious Force Pacific Fleet.
Admiral Pride assumed command of Carrier Division SIX in December of 1946, and in January, 1947, transferred in the same capacity to Carrier Division FOUR. Relieved of that command, he assumed duty in May, 1947, as Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics in the Navy Department, continuing to serve in that capacity until May 1952. At that time he became Commander of Carrier Division TWO.
In February, 1952, he became Commander, Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland.
He assumed command of the Seventh Fleet with the rank of Vice Admiral on 1 December, 1953, relieving Vice Admiral Joseph J. Clark.
The following information has been copied from page 3 of the 1955 "Welcome Aboard USS Helena CA-75" pamphlet.
EXEMPLAR OF THE FLEET
Upon the completion of the ship's recent tour of duty in Westpac as Seventh Fleet Flagship, Vice Admiral A. M. PRIDE, USN, Commander Seventh Fleet, commended the ship for her fine performance of duty as his flagship. He said:
"Of the various vessels in which I have had my flag in this and previous cruises, none has excelled the HELENA in the smartness of appearance and performance encumbent upon the flagship as exemplar of the fleet, and on none has the flag complement been so obviously welcome and "at home" and facilitated in its work
At all times HELENA has made a smart and impressive appearance, and has set a worthy example for the fleet. Her schedule has been precisely carried out and her proficiency has been maintained at high level. At the same time, all hands have taken pains to accomodate the flag personnel and make them feel at home. Flag functions have been cheerfully and effectively aided in a spirit of 'can do' ".