"For outstanding achievements in various technical phases of the work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, for leadership in the science of navigation, and for demonstrated administrative competence as Assistant Director."

Admiral Knox, who has been our Assistant Director since May 24, 1951, was born in Seattle, Washington, attended grammar and high schools in Montana. His boyhood in the northwest must have made a great impression on him, because if asked today where the Coast Survey should be located he will, without hesitation say, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Immediately upon graduation from the University of Washington in 1923, he entered the Coast and Geodetic Survey and was commissioned Ensign during that year. He had, however, interrupted his college education to serve during World War I in the 44th Infantry, United States Army for 2 years.

About 20 years of sea duty are included in his 33 years of service during which he spend 12 seasons in Alaska, one in the Hawaiian Islands, and seven along the Pacific coast.

Just prior to his appointment as Assistant Director of the Bureau he served as Chief of the Chart Division for a year. Other office assignments have been Chief of the Surveys Section, Chief of the Nautical Chart Branch, Chief of Aeronautical Chart Branch, and Assistant Chief, Chart Division.

Special assignments which he has accomplished with distinction have included technical advisor on two international scientific conferences, one at Caracas, Venezuela, and one at Monte Carlo, Monaco and head of delegation to the ICAO 4th Map and Chart Division Meeting at Brussels, Belgium in 1984.

Admiral Knox's hobby in music, and he plays the piano for , as he says "his own enjoyment." In fact, at one time he had two pianos in his home.

Everyone in the Bureau welcomes the news that on May 24, 1951, the United States Senate voted to confirm the appointment of commander Robert W. Knox to be Assistant Director of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, with the rank of Rear Admiral, effective June 1, 1951. He succeeds Rear Admiral K.T. Adams who retires on May 31, 1951.

Commander Knox, who first entered the Survey in June 1923, has served for the past year as Chief of the Division of Charts. Before returning here in 1950 he had carried out numerous important assignments both in the field and in the Washington office, including command of the PATHFINDER, one of the Bureau's largest survey vessels. His varied experience and skill as an administrator make him admirably suited to the performance of his new task. He approaches it with heartiest wishes of all his associates for success in his undertaking.

Mingled with the pleasure in Commander Knox' advancement is the deep regret at the retirement of Admiral Adams whose brilliant career in the Survey has been a great credit to the Bureau. More on this subject next week. The Senate, on the same day it voted confirmation of Admiral Knox, approved the permanent promotions of several other Coast and Geodetic officers which become effective at various dates beginning July 1, 1951.

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C&G BULLETIN, 2/1956
THE BUZZARD, Vol. 19, No. 22, 5/29/1951