Captain, USS WISCONSIN  2/22/52-9/24/52

Bruton was born in Bellville, Arkansas and was appointed to the US Naval Academy from the 6th Congressional District of Arkansas. His first billets following his graduation in 1926 were aboard the battleships USS CALIFORNIA and USS MISSISSIPPI. Captain Bruton entered the submarine service and later took command of the S-39. From 1941 to 1943 he was the commanding officer of the GREENLING, one of the first four ships in the Navy to be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. For successfully completing two war patrols aboard the GREENLING off Truk, Captain Bruton received a Navy Cross medal and a Navy Commendation ribbon. A second Navy Cross was awarded to him for a patrol off the east coast of Japan between October and November 1942. A patrol in the Solomon Islands earned him this third Navy Cross. While commanding the GREENLING, his submarine was responsible for sinking twelve enemy ships and damaging an aircraft carrier. Later Captain Bruton commanded Submarine Division 82 and Submarine Squadron 2. He also served as Chief of Staff, Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet. During his tours of shore duty, Captain Bruton completed post graduate courses in radio and law. Prior to his assignments as commanding officer of the WISCONSIN, Captain Bruton served as Director, Legislative Division, in the office of the Judge AdvocateGeneral, Washington, DC. In addition to the three Navy Crosses and Navy Commendation ribbon, Captain Bruton’s decorations included two Legion of Merit medals and a Presidential Unit Citation. He also wore a Submarine Combat Insignia and the respective area campaign ribbons.