Hugh S. Knerr was born in Port Townsend, Washington on 30 April 1913. In February 1938, he applied for the U.S. Naval Reserve, but due to professional concerns, he was not accepted until October of 1940. The Navy commissioned Knerr as a Lieutenant (junior grade) in November. In June 1942, Knerr was promoted to Lieutenant, USNR, and then to Lieutenant Commander, USNR, in July 1943. He helped supervise the construction of seventy submarines serving as a Hull Superintendent and the Progress and Scheduling Officer. At the end of the war, he was appointed Officer-in-Charge of dismantling four surrendered German U-boats. He was promoted to Commander, USNR in July 1945. Due to the glut of workers in the post-war civilian shipbuilding industry, Knerr elected to join the Regular Navy in December 1945, as he began a three and a half year tour in Shore Division, Bureau of Ships. Captain Knerr retired in July 1963. Captain Knerr died in Charleston on 24 August 1978, after suffering a heart attack.
From the description of Papers, 1908-1978. (Navy Department Library, Naval History & Heritage Command). WorldCat record id: 51494810
