Evening star., 1934-02-03
FLEET COMMAND
IS GIVEN REEVES
Changes in High Rank
Greatest in Number in
Naval History.

The greatest number of changes in
nag commands at sea and on shore
syer made at one time in the history
Of the American Navy has resulted
IN the first naval officer with active
aviation experience. Admiral Joseph
Mason Reeves, being singled out to
command an entire fleet.
Admiral Reeves will succeed Admiral
David Foote Sellers as commander in
chief of the United States Fleet on
the Pacific Coast and the announce
ment was made at the same time
that Admiral Sellers is to be ap-
pointed superintendent of the Naval
Academy at Annapolis. The transfer
of the fleet command to Admiral
Reeves will become effective late in
the Spring, probably subsequent to
the voyage of the United States Fleet
to Atlantic waters, where it will be
reviewed by President Roosevelt OIL
New York at the end of May.
The present superintendent of the
Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Thomas
~, WILL IClilAllloii LAO PooS es
the end of the academic year to be-
come commander of Cruiser Division
9, which will be formed of heavy
cruisers commissioned during the
next few months.
In Accord With Policy.
Thirty changes in all were an
nounced yesterday Acting Secretary
Of the Navy Roosevelt hastened to
explain away any other interpreta-
tion by saying that they are in &C
oordance with the policy of rotating
commands in the Fleet annually and
are normally announced at this time
Of the year" The reason so many
changes are involved at this time,
It was laid at the Navy Department,
was the chance to take advantage OF
the convenience afforded by the visit
Of the United States Fleet to the
East Coast in the Spring.
Admiral Reeves, whose flagship in
the fleet will be the U. S. S. Pannsyl-
vania, is now commander of the Battle
Force. He Is 81 and was appointed to
the Naval Academy "A years ago. His
career is one Of the most distinguish
ed and versatile in the Navy. During
the World War he was awarded the
Navy Cross After the war he served
as naval attache at London, return
ting to duty as captain Of the Navy
Yard, New York.
In 1925, after teaching at the
Naval War College. he qualified as a
naval aviation observer and was
ordered to command the Aircraft
Squadrons, Battle Fleet He assumed
his present command with the rank
Of Admiral in June, 1888.
Admiral Reeves will be succeeded
IN his present command as command
q Of the Battle Force by Vice Ad-
miral Frank H. Brumby, who will
have the accompanying rank Of ad-
miral. At present he is in command
Of the Scouting Force.
The newly-named superintendent
o6 the Naval Academy. Admiral Sell
lers, is q Texan, with A years ir
the Navy. He Is holder Of the Dis.
tinguished Service Medal for service
% special squadron commander dur
ing the Nicaraguan disturbances ir
1929. From 1921 to 1922 he served
- aide to the Secretary of the Navy
and Is we'll known in Washington
He has been decorated twice by Mica.
ragua and once by the government
Of Ecuador.
Naval Aide Il Moved.
A former Judge advocate genera
q the Navy. from June, 1929. to 1881
he went from that post to assume
command Of the battleship division
Battle Force, and last June he wa!
promoted to commander in chief o.
the United States Fleet.
Another important change involve.
the naval aide to the President, Capt
Walter Newhall Vernon. to command
q, Train Squadron /, Base Force
dagshtp q. s. s. Utah, relieving Real
Admiral Frederick j. Horne. No Sc.
lection Of q new naval aide to tht
President has been made at this time
Like all the other changes, his trans.
fer Of duties will be made in ths
epring.
Rear Admiral Henry v. Butler
formerly commandant Of the Wash.
ingt0 Navy Yard, from April, 1881
Hntn last December. is appointed
commander aircraft, Battle Force, ane
aircraft, United States Fleet, flag
ship q. 8. s. Saratoga, one of th'
three atrplane carriers. He will re-
Nsve Rear Admiral John Halligan
Admiral Butler now is commander o.
battleship division 3, Battle Force.
vice Admiral Walter R. Sexton
commander battleships, Battle Force
II was announced, will be ordered tt
Washington for duty as a member O.
The General Board.
Rear Admiral Hayne Ellis, director
Of naval intelligence, Navy Depart.
ment. y to become commander
Training Squadron, Scouting Force.
The new commander, battleShips
Battle Force, Is to be Rear Admira
Thomas T1ngley Craven, with ac'
oompanying rank Of admiral. Hi!
flagship will be the U. S. S. Wes
Virginia, and he will relieve Vice Ad
miral Walton r. Sexton. Admira
Sexton will be ordered to Washing
ton for duty as q member Of th'
General Board.
Vice Admiral Frank H. Brumby
now commander Of the Scouting
Force, Is to be the commander Of th'
Battle Force, United States Fleet. Hi
4asship viii be the U. 8. S. Cali
tc6nia.
The present judge advocate gen
eral Of the Navy, Rear Admiral OriI
q. Murfn, will return to sea duty a.
commander, battleship division 3
Battle Force. flagship U, s, S, Ari