Name: Kenneth Paul Maley
Born: February 11, 1906, at Canandaigua, New York
Early Education: Graduated from Canandaigua Academy in 1924
USCG Academy: He was appointed a Cadet at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., on April 17, 1925, and was graduated with a commission of Ensign on May 15, 1928.
Appointments in Rank: Subsequently he was promoted to Lieutenant (jg), May 15, 1930; Lieutenant, May 15, 1932; Lieut. Commander, May 25, 1941; Commander, September 15, 1942; Captain, March 25, 1945; Rear Admiral on the retired list following retirement June 30, 1958.
Assignments
June 1928: First tour of duty was on board the Cutter Seneca out of New York. While assigned there, he completed a course of the Sperry Gyro Compass School in 1929.
April 1931: Assigned briefly to the Destroyer Cummings of the New London division of the old Destroyer Force used by the Coast Guard in an all-out suppression of smuggling during the rum-war era.
October 1931: Assigned to flight training at the Naval Air Stations at Hampton Roads, Va., and at Pensacola, Fla.
March 1932: His flight training was interrupted with a temporary duty assignment on board the Cutter Gresham, based at Mobile, Ala., followed by duties as Communications Officer of the Gulf Division and of the Southern Area, January 1933 to May 1934. During the remainder of that year he was stationed on board the Cutter Champlain, based at Stapleton, N.Y.
November 1934: He returned to flight training at Pensacola and was designated Coast Guard Aviator No. 37 on October 8, 1935.
January 1936: Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Air Station, Port Angeles, Wash.
April 1938: Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Air Station, Charlesoton, South Carolina.
May 1940: Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Air Station, Miami, Fla., with collateral duty as Captain of the Port both in Miami and Charleston.
December 1943 (WWII): Became Executive Officer of the Coast Guard-manned attack cargo ship USS Cepheus (AKA-18) when that vessel was commissioned for war service in December 1943. With that vessel he participated in the assault on Southern France and the assault and capture of Okinawa, Ryukyus. For heroic service during that tour of duty he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
June 1945: Assumed command of the USS Centaurus (AKA-17) and with that vessel continued in the Pacific operations during the V.J. surrender and then made two trips to China with Marine Occupation Forces.
January 1946: Returned to stateside duty as liaison officer on the Coast Guard Patrol Frigate decommissioning detail, after which he was assigned as Director of the Auxiliary, 8th Coast Guard District, New Orleans.
October 1947: Designated Chief, Operations Division, 7th Coast Guard District, Miami.
September 1950: Assigned as student to the National War College, Washington, D.C.
June 1951: Assigned as Director, Coast Guard Institute, Groton, Conn.
September 1954: He became Chief, Operations Division, 5th Coast Guard District, Norfolk, Va.
June 1956 (until retirement): Transferred back to New Orleans to the post of Southern Inspector, his last tour of duty until he retired on June 30, 1958, with 30 years of service.
Awards
In addition to the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" device, RADM Maley has the following World War II campaign medals and ribbons: American Defense with sea clasp; American Area; European-African-Middle Eastern Area; Asiatic-Pacific Area; Navy Occupation Service; China Service; World War II Victory.
Family
RADM Maley was married in 1934 to the former Alice Barclay H. of Mobile, Ala. They had two children, son Martin Paul, and daughter Anne Harrison.
Death
Rear Admiral died at the age of 66 at Baptist Hospital at New Orleans, La. Burial was held with military honors at Pine Crest Cemetery, Mobile, Ala., 1:00 P.M., Monday, February 5, 1973.
He was survived by his wife Alice and his two children, Martin and Anne.