Henry Porter (Canadian admiral)


Henry Allan Porter CMM, CD was a Canadian Forces officer who served as Commander Maritime Command from 1970 to 1971.

Career

Porter joined the Royal Canadian Navy as an ordinary telegraphist in 1939 and underwent seamanship training before serving as communications officer in HMCS Kootenay during the Second World War. He became Commanding Officer of the frigate in 1952, Commanding Officer of the frigate in 1953 and officer in charge of the Communications School on the East Coast in 1954. He went on to be Director of Naval Communications at Naval Headquarters in 1955, Commander Fourth Canadian Escort Squadron in 1958 and Naval Advisor to the Chief of Personnel at the National Defence Headquarters in 1964. After that he became Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier in 1965, Director-General Maritime Forces in 1966 and Director-General Equipment Requirements in 1968. He continued his career becoming Senior Canadian Officer Afloat Atlantic in 1968, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific in 1969 and Commander Maritime Command in 1970. His last appointments were as Comptroller General Canadian Armed Forces in 1971 and Assistant Deputy Minister in 1972 before retiring in 1974. He retired to Chester, Nova Scotia and died on 13 March 2016.

Awards and decorations

Porter's personal awards and decorations include the following:


RibbonDescriptionNotes
1939–1945 Star
  • WWII 1939-1945
Atlantic Star
  • WWII 1939-1945 with France & Germany Clasp
  • Defence Medal
  • WWII 1939-1945
  • Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
  • WWII 1939-1945 with Overseas Service bar
  • War Medal 1939–1945
  • WWII 1939-1945
  • Canadian Forces Decoration
  • with two Clasp for 32 years of services