The United States has maintained a naval presence in East Asia since 1835 to protect American interests against the turmoil of the Chinese rebellions. By 1867 the naval force was called the Asiatic Station of the United States Navy, later the Asiatic Squadron. Vessels on this station were primarily involved in matters relating to U.S. commerce with China and Japan, although it engaged Spanish naval forces at Manila Bay in the Spanish-American War. The squadron subsequently became the Asiatic Fleet in 1902.
After an intermittent existence following its first establishment in August 1902, the U.S. Asiatic Fleet was reestablished on February 3, 1941, with Rear Admiral Thomas C. Hart as Commander in Chief. In June 1941 its headquarters was shifted from Shanghai to Manila, and later, during the defense of the Philippines, to Corregidor. After withdrawing from the Philippines, the Fleet was based on Surabaya, with Admiral Hart serving under the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA). On January 30, 1942, Vice Admiral William A. Glassford was appointed Commander of U.S. Naval Forces, Southwest Pacific. Five days later Admiral Hart was relieved of his duties as Commander in Chief, U.S. Asiatic Fleet and the Fleet ceased to exist under that name. Admiral Hart became the Allied Naval Commander under ABDA, while Admiral Glassford commanded the U.S. naval units assigned to the Southwest Pacific, which were designated as the Southwest Pacific Force and later as the U.S. Seventh Fleet.
Commanders in Chief of the Asiatic Fleet included Robley D. Evans, 1902 - 1904; Willard H. Brownson, 1906 - 1907; William S. Cowles, ca. 1908 - 1909; Albert Gleaves, 1920 - 1921; Joseph Strauss, 1921 - August 28, 1922; Edwin Anderson, Jr., August 28, 1922 - October 11, 1923; Thomas Washington, October 11, 1923 - October 14, 1925; C.S. Williams, October 24, 1925 - ?; Mark L. Bristol, 1927 - ?; Charles B. McVay, Jr., ? - September 1, 1931; Montgomery Taylor, September 1, 1931 - August 18, 1933; Frank B. Upham, August 18, 1933 - September 30, 1935; Orin G. Murfin, September 30, 1935 - October 30, 1936; Harry E. Yarnell, October 30, 1936 - July 24, 1939; and Thomas C. Hart, July 24, 1939 - Fenruary 15, 1942.
