Claude Bloch (U.S.) admiral; commander in chief of the United States Fleet. Bloch was a graduate of the naval academy and fought in both the Spanish-American war where he was decorated and in the Chinese expedition to suppress the Boxer rebellion. Bloch became a Rear admiral in 1923 and in 1927 he commanded the battleship California. In 1938, Bloch was made commander in chief of the United States Fleet and although he did play a significant role in the battle of Pearl Harbor he did serve as the commander of shore installation there. Though Bloch retired a year later (he was 64), he continued to serve on the naval Board until 1946.