Remembering CAPT Lewis W. Comstock, 7th Commander to lead Naval Cryptologists

Captain Lewis Wells Comstock, USN
November 15, 1888 – June 8, 1975

Captain Comstock was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on 15 November 1888, the son of Jay Comstock and Mrs. Mary E. (Wells) Comstock. He attended Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, before his appointment to the Naval Academy from his native state in 1907. He was graduated from the Academy in June1911 and was commissioned an Ensign followed by his first assignment to the USS NORTH CAROLINA (ACR 12). Captain Comstock had duty on the USS CELTIC (AF 2), USS VERMONT (Battleship #20) and USS DELAWARE (BB 28).

From June 1916 until March 1917, Captain Comstock had further instruction in Engineering at the Postgraduate School, Annapolis, Maryland, after which he had duty in the USS LAMSON (DD 367), USS VEDETTE (SP 163) and the USS ISABEL (PY 10).

On 22 February 1919, Captain Comstock reported to the First Naval District, Boston, Massachusetts, in connection with fitting out the USS EDWARDS (DD 265), and reported aboard that ship as Executive Officer upon her commissioning on 24 April 1919. He assisted in the fitting out of the USS BELKNAP (DD-251), commanding that destroyer from her commissioning on 28 April 1919 until September of that year. He had duty aboard the USS FULTON (AS 1), and USS GAMBLE (DD 123) until she was placed out of commission in June 1922.