Laird, Horace C.

Horace C. Laird, Jr. was born in Norfolk, Virginia on 29 December 1912. After graduating from Norfolk's Maury High School in 1930, he enlisted in the Navy. On 17 June 1931, Laird received a Special Order Discharge and entered the U.S. Naval Academy the following day. He completed the Academy in 1935. Laird was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1942. He left Jacob Jones the following month to join the new battleship USS Indiana then under construction at Newport News, Virginia. Following Indiana's commissioning in April, he served on board until January 1944. Detached from USS Bataan in March 1945, he reported to Treasure Island Receiving Station in San Pedro, California. Laird served at Treasure Island for two years, being ordered to Naval Operating Base at Midway Island in April 1947. In June 1948 he was promoted to Commander and assumed command of USS Grainger. Laird remained in that assignment for the next three years. In March 1951, Laird reported to Commandant Twelfth Naval District as Director of Discipline. He was transferred to the retired list on 1 February 1959. Commander Laird died on 16 December 1994 in Landstuhl, Germany.