Vincent Paul de Poix (August 13, 1916 – February 3, 2015) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy. He began his career as a naval aviator and fighting in World War II aboard . A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he became the first captain of the newly commissioned in November 1961. He later participated in the Vietnam War, and commanded the United States Second Fleet. He was Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from August 1972 to September 1974.
Early life
De Poix was born as Vincent Paul De Poix in Los Angeles, California, on August 13, 1916. De Poix's father was Elzear Paul de Poix and his mother was Grace L. (née Howard) de Poix.
De Poix attended Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, New York. De Poix attended Severn School, a prep school for U.S. Naval Academy, in Severna Park, Maryland.
Education
De Poix attended Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. In 1939, De Poix graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with distinction and ranked 26th in a class of 581.
De Poix was trained as a naval aviator at NAS Pensacola. In March 1944, he began ordnance engineering (aviation) instruction at the Naval Postgraduate School, Annapolis, Maryland. In August 1946, the admiral attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Cambridge Massachusetts, and received a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering. In 1959-1960, he studied nuclear power operations, receiving certification in 1960. From 1963-64, the admiral attended the National War College, Washington, D.C.
Career
After being commissioned an ensign on 1 June 1939, de Poix joined ; then, a year later, . After naval aviator training, he was attached to the Advance Carrier Training Group at San Diego County, California. From June 1942 to August 1943, he served in the South Pacific; this time frame included tours with Fighter Squadron 6 (VF-6) on board and , along with a shore based tour on Guadalcanal, and subsequent operations in the Solomon Islands campaign.
Subsequent assignments included a tour with the Aviation Fire Control Unit at the Naval Ordnance Test Station, Inyokern, California. From January 1948 to June 1950, he was commander of Fighter Squadron 172 (VF-172) based in Florida. From 1950 to 1952, he served with the Bureau of Ordnance Research and Development Division Aviation Ordnance Branch, Washington, D.C. From 1952, he served as aviation readiness and aviation ordnance officer for the commander-in-chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He served in leadership positions in the Naval Operation Office Guided Missiles Division until June 1957, when he assumed command of Air Development Squadron 4 (VX-4), Point Mugu, California.
In March 1959, he became commanding officer of the seaplane tender , which was followed by training with the Atomic Energy Commission Reactor Development Division Office of the Assistant Director for Naval Reactors.
In September 1960, he was ordered to duty as prospective commanding officer of the (later redesignated CVN-65). Launched on 24 September 1960, she was at the time the largest naval warship ever constructed and was the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. When the vessel was commissioned on 25 November 1961, de Poix became her first captain.
In July 1963, he was detached for instruction at the National War College, Washington, D.C.
de Poix was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in 1964, followed by a tour as assistant director for administration and management in Defense Research and Engineering, and as assistant director of operational test and evaluation.
In August 1966, he reported as commander Carrier Division 7, bound for Vietnam.
In September 1967, de Poix became assistant deputy chief of naval operations (Development), and then in February 1969, Deputy Director of Defense Research and Engineering (Administration, Evaluation and Management), Office of the Secretary of Defense. In August 1971, he assumed command of the Second Fleet.
Defense Intelligence Agency
de Poix reported as deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency in July 1972, and became director the next month.
de Poix continued the reorganization of the Agency begun by his predecessor, General Donald V. Bennett. Streamlining the organization had become critical since severe manpower cutbacks had taken a major toll on the agency. DIA manpower had been cut by one third after Vietnam. By 1973, nearly all elements had been consolidated and realigned.