Owenton in Owen County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Vice Admiral William A. “Mose” Lee Jr.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 12, 2019

1. Vice Admiral William A. “Mose” Lee Jr. Marker, side one

Inscription. Lee was born on May 11, 1888, in Owen County. In 1904, he entered the US Naval Academy. He earned a position on the Navy Rifle Team and eventually the National Rifle Team. Lee graduated in 1908 and served as an inspector of ordnance. While representing the Navy, he competed for the US Rifle Team in the 1920 Olympics in Belgium, where he won five gold medals for marksmanship. He was a commanding officer of three destroyers during the 1920s.

During the 1930s and early 1940s, Lee was assigned to the Fleet Training Division and commanded the light cruiser Concord. In August 1942, he was sent to the Pacific to command a battleship division. On November 14-15, Lee and his crew on the USS Washington sunk five Japanese ships in the battle at Guadalcanal, a turning point for the Allied Forces, for which he earned the Navy Cross. He suffered a heart attack and died on August 25, 1945, while serving in the Atlantic.

Erected 2017 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2521.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Sports • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients

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, and the Kentucky Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 11, 1888.

Location. 38° 32.177′ N, 84° 50.233′ W. Marker is in Owenton, Kentucky, in Owen County. Marker is at the intersection of Bryan Street and Thomas Street, on the right when traveling west on Bryan Street. It is at the courthouse lawn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Thomas St, Owenton KY 40359, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jacob Hunter (approx. 0.7 miles away); Old New Liberty / New Liberty, Contd. (approx. 6.7 miles away); First Rural Electric In County (approx. 6.8 miles away); Historic Gratz Bridge (approx. 7.7 miles away); Gratz, A Kentucky River Town (approx. 7.7 miles away); Earl New Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.7 miles away); Gen. Washington's Guard (approx. 8.1 miles away); Captain Samuel Sanders (approx. 8.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Owenton.

Vice Admiral William A. “Mose” Lee Jr. Marker, side two image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 12, 2019

2. Vice Admiral William A. “Mose” Lee Jr. Marker, side two

Vice Admiral William A. “Mose” Lee Jr. Marker at Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 12, 2019

3. Vice Admiral William A. “Mose” Lee Jr. Marker at Courthouse

Owen County’s Former Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 12, 2019

4. Owen County’s Former Courthouse

The historical marker can be seen on the right between the courthouse and the shop across Bryan street.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.