Rowland G. Freeman III was born February 11, 1922. He attended the University of Massachusetts and received a master's in business administration from Harvard University in 1953. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and during World War II he was combat pilot and was shot down over the Pacific. Most of his career was in procurement for the Navy. He became a rear admiral in 1971. From June 27, 1974 to May 26, 1977, he served as commander at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station. On June 30, 1977, he became commander of the Defense Systems Management College at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In late March 1979, he was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to become administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA). Admiral Freeman accepted the nomination and announced his retirement from the U.S. Navy, effective April 30, 1979, after 37 years of service. He served as administrator of GSA from July 2, 1979 to January 14, 1981.
From the description of Freeman, Rowland Godfrey, 1922- (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10581193
