United States Navy Rear Admiral. Virden's early education was at the Millsaps Academy in Jackson, Mississippi followed at the Marion Institute in Marion, Alabama. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1927. After graduation he served on the Battleship U.S.S. Arkansas, Destroyer's U.S.S. Billingsley and U.S.S. J. Fred Talbot, Cruiser U.S.S. Chester, U.S.S. Picas, U.S.S. Canopus and the U.S.S. Georgia. He next served as Assistant Professor of Naval Science at Northwestern University and attended the Sound School at Key West, Florida. He became the Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. Frazier on July 30, 1942, and the Destroyer U.S.S. Knapp on September 16, 1943. During World War II he commanded the U.S.S. Knapp during the Marshall Island operations, the Hollandia operation, and the battle of the Philippine Sea. During the last year of the war he served as Communications Officer on the staff of Commander Amphibious Group Five, and of Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific. In October 1945 he returned to the States and for a year thereafter, served as Communicagtions Officer, Eighth Naval District. From November 1946 until April 1949 he served in the Operational Readiness Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. In June 1949 he assumed duties as Commander Destroyer Squadron 19, with additional duties as Commander Destroyer Division 181. Between June of 1951 and January 1955 he attended the Naval War College and served in the Amphibious Training Command at Coronado, California as well as commander Transport Division 15, and Amphibious Squadron Seven. In February 1955 he returned to Washington D.C. and served on the staff of the Chief of Naval operations. On August 1, 1955 Vidren was promoted to Rear Admiral. In 1956 he commanded Destroyer Flotilla Six; served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations for Communications, and in September 1961 he assumed duties as Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. On April 12, 1962, Virden assumed duties as Commander First Fleet.