George Partridge Colvocoresses

George Partridge Colvocoresses, born in Norwich, Vermont, April 3, 1847, to Greek immigrant George Colvocoresses and Adeline Maria Swasey. He was a graduate of the NU Class 1866 and led a distinguished military career. Colvocoresses had served under his father, Captain George M. Colvocresses on the U.S.S. Supply on South Atlantic blockade duty. The younger Colvocoresses eventually rose to the rank of Rear Admiral and was Commandant of Cadets at the United States Military Academy at Annapolis; he was a member of the District of Columbia and New York Commanderies.

Biography

The son of George Colvocoresses, he was named for his father's benefactor, Alden Partridge, and served under then-Commodore George Dewey in the Asiatic Fleet. He distinguished himself in service as a junior officer on the cruiser Concord at the Battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898 in the Spanish-American War, where the US won a decisive victory over the Spanish Armada, helping to end the Spanish Naval Threat and establish the US as one of the world's military "super powers." Asa Walker, Commander, U. S. N., Commanding Asiatic Fleet, had the following to say: "Each and every one of my subordinates did his whole duty with an enthusiasm and zeal beyond all praise. I am particularly indebted to the executive officer, Lieut. Commander George P. Colvocoresses, for the cool, deliberate, and efficient manner with which he met each phase of the action, and for his hearty cooperation in my plans."[1] Colvocoresses served on most of the foreign naval stations, and in the hydrographic office at Washington, and in 1886 was assistant instructor in drawing at the United States naval academy. In 1890 the officers and men of the U.S. Navy dedicated a granite-and-marble monument to the memory of Lieut. George Washington De Long and the crew of the Jeannette. Lieut. George P. Colvocoresses designed the monument -- a cross with carved icicles hanging from it that sits atop a cairn. The 24-foot-high structure is in the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery overlooking the Severn River.[2] In 1919 Adm. Colvocoresses, whose name appears on the Centennial Staircase at Norwich, delivered an address about Capt. Alden Partridge on the 100th anniversary of the founding of NU.

Adm. Colvocoresses had two sons: Harold, and George M. (II) Colvocoresses. The son of George M. (II) Colvocoresses, Col. Alden Partridge Colvocoresses, USA (Ret.), went on to develop the first satellite map of the United States.