Nathan Sonenshein (August 2, 1915 – April 13, 2001) was a rear admiral in the United States Navy. He served as commanding officer of the Naval Ship Systems Command from 1969 to 1972.

Early life and education

thumb|150px|left|Sonenshein as a Naval Academy midshipman

Born in Lodi, New Jersey, Sonenshein moved with his family to Passaic, New Jersey, while he was in grade school. After graduating from Passaic High School in 1933, he began his four-decade naval career in 1934 by entering the United States Naval Academy, having received an appointment from U.S. Representative George N. Seger. On June 2, 1938, Sonenshein graduated with a B.S. degree and received his commission as an ensign.

After initial sea duty, Sonenshein took courses at the Naval Postgraduate School. He was sent to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he completed an S.M. degree in naval construction in 1944. His thesis advisor was William M. Murray. Sonenshein would later attend the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business in 1964.

Career

After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1938, Sonenshein served on the pre-commissioning crew of the light cruiser for two months. He was then transferred to the pre-commissioning crew of the light cruiser . After her commissioning, Sonenshein served aboard the Phoenix from October 1938 to June 1941. From 1960 to 1962, he served as Fleet and Force Maintenance Officer for the United States Pacific Fleet. In August 1962, Sonenshein became director of the Ship Design Division at the Bureau of Ships. Promoted to rear admiral in May 1965, he became assistant chief of the bureau for Design, Shipbuilding and Fleet Maintenance in June.

In November 1965, Sonenshein was reassigned as project officer for the Fast Deployment Logistics Ship Project. Although the project was discontinued before implementation in 1967, he was awarded the Legion of Merit for his efforts. From 1967 to 1969, Sonenshein served as Deputy Chief of Naval Material for Logistics Support. From 1972 to 1974, he served as head of the Shipbuilding Council for the Navy Material Command.

Personal life

He was an uncle of political science professor Raphael Sonenshein and a brother of Israel L. Sonenshein, who was general counsel of the Federal Security Agency in Washington in the late 1940s and early 1950s and helped draft federal laws on Social Security and child support.

Death

Sonenshein died at a Kaiser Permanente facility in San Rafael, California, aged 85. He was buried at Oakmont Cemetery in Lafayette, California.

See also

  • USNS Lynn

References

  • Genealogical info on extended family
  • 1982 Harold E. Saunders Award: RADM Nathan Sonenshein, USN (Ret.) - American Society of Naval Engineers