Gearing family

Three generations of the Gearing family served in the United States Navy.

Henry Chalfant Gearing (9 June 1855 – 16 August 1926) was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1876. Gearing served on various ships of the Navy during his early years, including Lackawanna, Tuscarora, and Essex. He spent tours of duty at the Naval Academy and on board Glacier. After being promoted to Commander in 1905, Gearing commanded the naval stations at Cavite and Olongapo, Philippines, until his retirement in 1909. He died 16 August 1926 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Henry Chalfant Gearing, Jr., (22 January 1887 – 24 February 1944) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1907. He served on California, Illinois, and other ships besides commanding a long list of destroyers, among them Woolsey, Dobbin, and Maury. He was appointed Captain in 1934. Subsequently, he commanded Destroyer Squadron 4 and Naval Training Station, San Diego, California before his death 24 February 1944 in San Diego Naval Hospital.