Arthur Ageton Papers

Arthur A. Ageton was born October 25, 1900 in Montana and brought up in Pullman, Washington. He was educated at Washington State College and graduated from the Naval Academy on June 7, 1923. In 1931 the United States Naval Post Graduate School awarded him his certificate. In 1953, Ageton received a Master of Arts degree in Modern Writing from the John Hopkins University. He later taught at the George Washington University as an associate professor of creative writing.

During his naval career, he served extensively overseas, having tours on the European Station and the Asiatic Station just before World War II. He also visited many other parts of the world in the course of his duties. In World War II Admiral Ageton served as an Executive Officer of amphibious task groups and retired on December 1, 1947 in the rank of rear admiral.

Following this, Ageton worked for several years as an author, journalist and lecturer. He had a varied writing career, being the author of several military guides, manuals and a novel, The Jungle Seas (1954). His most widely known book is The Naval Officer's Guide (1943) which has been published in six editions, but he is also known for his juvenile book Mary Jo and Little Liu, published in 1945. This book was written for his daughter, Mary Jo, while he was on active duty and was included with his letters to the family. Rear Admiral Ageton died on April 23, 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland.

Sources:

Contemporary Authors New Revised Version, vol. 1, pp.11-12.

Correspondance from Rear Admiral Arthur Ageton