Ships
- USS Tripoli (CVE-64) Captain from 31 October 1943 · Relieved on 20 June 1944
- USS Wasp (CV-18) Commanding officer from 7 June 1945 · Relieved on 4 March 1946
Source-limited.
Wendell Gray Switzer was born on 30 September 1898. He graduated from the Naval Academy with the Class of 1921-A and became a naval aviator. He was promoted to lieutenant commander on 30 June 1935, commander on 1 September 1940 and temporary captain on 20 June 1942.
From 1 September 1942 to 27 August 1943 he commanded the seaplane tender Tangier (AV-8). On 31 October 1943 he commissioned the escort carrier Tripoli (CVE-64). She had been laid down as Didrickson Bay and was renamed Tripoli on 6 November 1943. The live page dates his command to 20 June 1944 and uboat.net to 20 July 1944. On 7 June 1945 he took command of the fleet carrier Wasp (CV-18) for the last weeks of the war, and he kept her until 4 March 1946.
His last command was the Jacksonville air command. One source gives it as Commander, Fleet Air, Jacksonville, from July 1957 to February 1959. He retired in 1959 after 39 years of service, reportedly as a vice admiral. He died in 1970.
Sources
uboat.net, Allied Warship Commanders: Wendell Gray Switzer (born 30 Sep 1898; died 1970; USNA 1921A; ranks; commands; "Last command was Jacksonville Air Station Florida. Retired 1959 after a 39 year career.").
NHHC/DANFS, "Tripoli I"; NavSource CVE-64.
CNRSE history page (cnrse.cnic.navy.mil, Fleet Air Jacksonville commanders).