Born in Lorain, Ohio. Graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy in 1901, fourth in a class of 67. Married Martha Rankin Egerton October 10, 1905. They had seven children.

He served as midshipman during the Spanish American War. He was appointed lieutenant commander in 1913 and commanded the destroyers Terry and Cassin. He was given command of submarine division 11 in 1922. In 1923 he took command of the submarine base at New London, Connecticut. He received flight training and served on carriers. In 1930 he took command of the Lexington. He advanced to rear admiral November 1, 1933. In January 1938 he took command of the Aircraft Battle Force. He was promoted to admiral in 1941. He was Chief of Naval Operations March 1942 to December 1945.

King reached the mandatory retirement age of 64 on November 23, 1942. The president retained him for additional service. He was promoted to fleet admiral in December 1944. On December 15, 1945, he was relieved by Nimitz and left the service. He died in the Naval Hospital at Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Congress honored King with a gold medal by act of March 22, 1946. The medal was designed by Brenda Putnam.

bio: DAB; EAB; NCAB 46; WAB; WWWA-3