Posted on 01/30/2023
Vice Admiral Edward S. Briggs, USN (Retired) died peacefully at his home in Escondido, CA in the presence of his family on November 22, 2022.
Born in St. Paul Minnesota, he was the second of three sons of Charles W. Briggs, prominent attorney and member of the Briggs and Morgan Law Firm, and Lois Johnson Briggs. He committed his lifetime to his family, naval service, and the nation. He was a Pacific Fleet sailor for most of his career with wartime experience as both a naval aviator and surface warfare officer; intervening assignments in England, the Pentagon, and the Atlantic Command punctuated his 39 years of service. An advocate of superior education for the nation's youth and an apprentice author, he dedicated his retirement years to both avocations. As an avid golfer (MN HS Champion 1944), he was known to smell the roses on the links along the way.
Briggs attended the University of Minnesota High School and Sullivan School in Washington DC before entering the United States Naval Academy in 1945. Upon graduation in June, 1949, he married his high school sweetheart, movie actress Nanette Parks, daughter of Superior Court Judge Clayton and Evelyn Parks of St. Paul. Ed and Nan began their 35 years of Navy life together as he entered naval flight training in Pensacola, Florida, earning his wings there in 1951.
A member of Fighter Squadron 192, Briggs flew the F4U-4 Corsair and the F9F-5 Panther jet during and following the Korean War, operating from the aircraft carriers Princeton and Oriskany. His naval aviation career continued in 1954 with subsequent tours as a basic and advanced flight instructor, Air Intelligence Officer in the carrier Ranger, and Heavy Attack Squadron 124 for training and qualification in the nuclear capable A3D Sky Warrior in 1961.
Then a Lieutenant Commander, Briggs left naval aviation in 1962 and began a new naval career as Executive Officer of the destroyer USS Harry E. Hubbard (DD 748). Following assignments in England at the Joint Services Staff College and U.S. Naval Forces Europe Command, he took command of the destroyer USS Turner Joy (DD (951) during two deployments to the Vietnam War Theater, 1966-1968. Immediately upon relief as Commanding Officer was a tour as Surface Operations Officer for Commander Attack Carrier Striking Force, U.S. Seventh Fleet. After a Pentagon assignment, Captain Briggs became Commanding Officer of the guided missile frigate USS Jouett (DLG/CLG 29) in 1971 and then Deputy Commander and Chief-of-Staff U.S. Seventh Fleet. Beginning in 1973 he served as Fleet Operations Officer for the Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet. He was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in 1975.
In flag officer billets Vice Admiral Briggs served as Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Group Three, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Commander Navy Recruiting Command; Commander Naval Logistics Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Commander Naval District Pearl Harbor; and Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Chief of Staff U.S. Pacific Fleet. His last assignment was as Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, retiring in 1984.
In retirement, Admiral and Mrs. Briggs made their home in Escondido, California where he was soon engaged as a member of the county school districts' Curriculum and Instructional Development Committees at San Diego Unified and Escondido Elementary and High School levels. He was chairman of the latter committee for four years, 1985 to 1998. At the same time and until his death he remained an active supporter of the Navy and Armed Forces through the Navy League, San Diego Military Advisory Council, the Recruiting District Advisory Council, and as a mentor of the NJ ROTC Unit at Orange Glen High School in his hometown.
As an apprentice author he wrote his family history and a series of dissertations that included A
Return To Liberal Education, The War We Are In, The Promised Land, A Case For National Security, A Civics Lesson --- The Constitution, and The Afghanistan Challenge. In 2014 he co-authored the policy paper Climate Change, Energy Policy, and National Power published by Heartland Institute of Chicago.
Vice Admiral Briggs is survived by his wife Nanette, son Jeffrey, grandchildren Kathryn Lee Daly and Edward Shannon Briggs, and two great grandchildren.
Please write jbriggs@jbriggslaw.com for memorial information.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jan. 29, 2023.