Evening star., 1937-11-10
ADMIRAL BLOCH
TO HEAD FLEET
Commander in Chief Change
One of Many in Navy's
Top Ranks.

Admiral ClauQe T.. Bloch, former
oommandant of the Washington Navy
Yard. later budget officer and Judge
advocate general Of the Navy. and now
commander of the Battle Force, will
become the commander in chief Of the
United States Fleet about February l.
This was announced today by Secre-
tary Swanson, who at the same time
revealed that Admiral Arthur ]. Hep
burn, present commander in chief,
will head Selection Board convening
At the Navy Department on November
29 to pick about q dozen prospective
new rear admirals and an undeter-
mined number Of new captains. Ad-
miral Hepburn's new duty will be COM
mandant of the 18th Naval District,
with headquarters At San Francisco.
June "a, 1896.
The shift in the Understanding
offcer afioat was one of q number of
changes made by Secretary Swanson
in the list of "tOp-siders." Relieving
Admiral Bloch As commander of the
Battle Force will be Vice Admiral Ed
ward c. Kalbfus, who will have the
full rank of admiral.
Rear Admiral John w. Greenslade,
commander Of Battleship Division 2
of the Battle Force. will relieve Vice
Admiral Kalbfux, who il now COM
mander Of battleships, Battle Force,
assuming the rank OF vice admiral.
King Takes Horne's Place.
Vice Admiral Frederick Joseph
Horne, commander, aircraft. Battle
Force, will come to Washington rs 1
member of the General Board at the
Navy Department His place afloat
will be taken by Rear Admiral Ernest
j. King, now commander, aircraft,
Scouting Force. who has been chief OF
the Navy Bureau Of Aeronautics. Ad-
miral King will have the rank Of vice
admiral and this change will occur
about January l. Vice Admiral Horne
has been in his assignment afloat
since April l, 1885.
Rear Admiral Arthur ST. Clair Smith,
commandant of the 18th Naval Dis
trict, retires January /. and his
place will be taken temporarily by
Rear Admiral Clarence S. Kempff on
November Is, until Admiral Hepburn
takee over in February
Rear Admiral Charles Russell Train
will relieve Admiral Greenslade as
commander, I'd Battleship Division OF
the Battle Force. Admiral Train is
now president Of the Naval Examining
Board at the Navy Department and
makes his home here at 30l5 @ street.
Rear Admiral Charles A. Blakely,
commander, I'd Carrier Division, Air
craft, Battle Force, will relieve Admiral
King as commander, aircraft, Scouting
Force, about January l.
Selection Board Members.
Serving with Admiral Hepburn on
the Selection Board will be: Vice Ad-
miral Kalbfus, Rear Admiral George
T. Pettengill, commandant of the
Washington Navy Yard; Rear Admiral
Clark H. Woodward, commandant of
the Sd Naval District. New York;
Rear Admiral Charles Philip Snyder,
president of the Naval War College,
Newport, r. l.; Rear Admiral Joseph
r. Defrees, who is coming to the Navy
Department Is director of shore estab-
lishments: Admiral Train, Admiral
King and Rear Admiral julius c.
Townsend, commander, cruisers. Bat
tie Force and Cruiser Division T.
The boards recorder will be Comdr.
Walter A. Hicks.
Under the law, the Selection Board
will be in session secretly for at least
10 days. Its recommendations will be
sent to Secretary Swanson. II the
cabinet officer approves, he will trans
nit the list to President Roosevelt,
who, If he is satisfied, will send the
names to the Senate as his nomina-
tions, for confirmation.