Charles Filmer collection of Low family papers

Admiral Francis S. Low was born on August 15, 1894 to Navy Commander William Franklin Low and Anna (Stuart) Low. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Low served as a submariner on the USS Connecticut, USS Montana, USS D-3, USS O-9 USS L-1, USS L-2, and USS S-12. Low then completed junior coursework at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and became an instructor for the U.S. Naval Academy under the Department of Seamanship. After graduating, he also served on the USS New Mexico and USS Paul Jones.

Low served twice in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations respectively under Admiral William H. Standley and Admiral Harold R. Stark. He acted as Operations Officer and Assistant Chief of Staff under Admiral Ernest J. King. During World War II, Low provided logistical plans for the Doolitte Raid following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He also commanded the cruiser USS Wichita, which operated in North Africa and the Pacific. Low was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1943 and subsequently Vice Admiral in 1947. Following the war, he directed the surrender and neutralization of Japanese naval ships.

Admiral Low received many distinctions for his contributions to the U.S. Navy, including the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and American Campaign Medal. He retired from U.S. Navy service in 1951. He died on January 22, 1964 in Oakland, California.