Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-10
ADMIRAL MOFFETT
TENURE NEAR END
Chief of Naval Bureau of
keronautics Term Expires
{ Wednesday.


The term of office OF Rear Admiral
Wlliam A. Moffett, chief of the Bureau
of Z Aeronautics. Navy Department, is
SCHEDULED to end Wednesday. Secretary
Adams, as one of the first of his most
important decisions relating to the Serv-
icef may reappoint this first and only
chtef OF the aeronautics branch of the
Navy or may pick his successor from
the tour admirals who are now actively
engaged in aviation or from other Of
flcers considered available.
Naval aviation under the regime of
Admiral Moffett has made notable prog
ress. Listed among its achievements,
naval officers point out are: The COM
misSioning of the first experimental air
craft carrier and later the carriers y. S.
S. Lexington and Saratoga; the placing
ofS catapults on all battleships and
crEisers, thereby putting planes with the
feet earlier than would otherwise have
been practicable; the acquisition of fly
ing fields; the development of air-cooled
engines. used by Lindbergh and other
famed airmen; Standardization OF types
off airplanes; developed large flying
boats to a point never reached pre-
viously; encouraged amphibian type air.
planes and various material develop
ments that have had and are still hav-
ing marked effect on industry; metal
prppellers; improved engine cowling;
slotted wings: fiotation gear; airship de-
veIopment, including the building of the
Shenandoah and the acquisition of the
Los Angeles and the contracting for two
new giant airsllips; mooring mastS de-
yeloped including the first floating
mast on the U. S. S. Patoka; the incor-
p0ration of aeronautics in the Naval
Academy course; tenfold gain in flight
hours with marked increase in safety:
encouraged commercial aeronautics and
encouraged high morale among the
aeronautical personnel.
Reappointment Favored.
There is a feeling in some quarters
of. the Navy that Admiral MoHett
should be reappointed at this time,
citing as reasons the points that the
service is now in the midst of its five
year building program; that he was re-
sponsible in the main for the airshlp
program which is now forging ahead
With the construction of the two giant
dirigibles in Ohio and that with his
experience he will be able to lend val
liable assistance in the projected coast
defense inquiry.
In addition to Admiral Moffett, the
admirals now engaged in naval avia-
ton are Rear Admiral James j. Raby,
Who has been a patient at the Wash
iagton Naval Hospital since the middle
OF last month and was formerly COM
riandant of the Naval Air Station at
Pensacola, Fla; Rear Admiral Albert
w. Marshall, commander aircraft
sduadrons Scouting Fleet, aboard U. S.
Ter, chief of staff of the commander
chief. United States Fleet, aboard U. S.
s. Texas. and Rear Admiral Joseph M
Reeves commander aircraft squadron,
Battle Fleet, aboard u S. S. Langley.
Fan impression prevails in some cir
ctes In the Navy Department that
should Rear Admiral Moffett not be re-
APPOINTED, Rear Admiral Reeves will be
chosen to head the Bureau OF Aero
nAutics.
admiral Moffett will not be retired
from the service because of reaching
the statutory age limit of 81 years for
four years more, for he was born IN
charleston, S. c., october 81, 1863.
Biring the Spanish-American War, as
IN ensign, he served with Admiral
Dewey at the Battle OF Manila Bay,
and in April, 1914, he was in command
of<the cruiser Chester during the occu-
patton of Vera Cruz, Mexico, by United
States naval forces. For skilfully
Ringing ms snip through Tie ulIlcA
harbor at night without pilot or navi-
gational lights, he received the Con-
Qressional Medal of Honor, for his ships
Guns, used at a critical time, had a
marked effect upon the opposition.
World War Service.
During the World War he COM
raanded the Naval Training Station at
Great Lakes, Ill, and for this service
he was awarded the Distinguished Serv-
ire Medal Later he commanded the
T. S. S. Mississippi.
president Harding appointed Admiral
Moffett as the first chief of the Bureau
IL Aeronautics on July Is, 1921, and
he has held that post continuously
since President Coolidge re-appointed
Him to the post in March, 1925, and
this four-year tour Of duty is now draw
ing to close.
: Naval officers say that he is quail
fed naval aviation observer, and has
more air experience in all types of air.
ples, seaplanes and big airships than
any admiral in any navy in the world"
The law creating the Bureau of
Aeronautics provides that its chief shall
be appointed by the President by and
Fith the advice and consent of the
Senate, from among the officers of the
&ctive list of the Navy or Marine Corps,
Who shall within one year after his APP
continent qualify as an aircraft pilot
ar observer for period of four years"