Evening star., 1940-04-27
New Assignments
Announced for
High Navy Officers
Vice Admiral BIokeIy
To Relieve Defrees at
San Dieoo Station

Changes in key commands of the
Navy were announced today by the
Acting Secretary of Navy, Lewis
Compton. These. include new as
signments for flag officers to become
effective during the summer and
fall
Vice Admiral Charles A. Blakely,
commander of the Aircraft Battle
Force, is made commandant of the
18th Naval District with station at
San Diego, Calf. relieving Rear
Admiral Joseph R. Defrees, who goes
into retirement because of age.
Rear Admiral William F. Halsey,
commander of Carrier Division /.
is given the position of vice admiral
in command Of the Aircraft Battle
Force, relieving Vice Admiral
Blakely.
Rear Admiral Arthur l.. Bristol,
In command of Patrol Wing 2, is
moved up to commander of Carrier
Division ! of the Battle Force. re-
lieving Admiral Halsey.
Capt Aubrey w. Fitch recently
detached from duty as commandant
of the Pensacola (Fla) Air Station.
is ordered to duty as commander of
Patrol Wing of the Aircraft Scout
ing Force, relieving Admiral Bristol
Capt. Fitch has been named for
promotion to the grade of rear
admiral.
Sexton To Be Retired.
Rear Admiral Walton R. Sexton,
chairman of the General Board
will be transferred to the retired
list in October on reaching the
statutory retirement age.
Rear Admiral John w. Greenslade,
a member Of the General Board,
will relieve Admiral Sexton as chair
man at the time of his retirement
Rear Admiral Edward B. Fenner,
commandant of the 18th Naval Dis
trict and the navy yard at Puget
Sound, Wash, will be transferred
to the retired list in September
because of age
Rear Admiral Charles S. Freeman.
member of the General Board, will
relieve Admiral Fenner as COM
mandant of the 18th District.
Rear Admiral Henry E. Laskey,
president of the General Court
Martial Board, is retired because of
age. Rear Admiral Forde A. Todd.
commander of Cruiser Division 8. is
ordered to shore duty. the post to be
announced later.
Pocr AIr,;roI
assistant to the chief OF naval opera
tions, is promoted 70 commander of
the 9Th Cruiser Division, replacing
Admiral Todd.
1ngersOll Moved Up.
Rear Admiral Royal E. Ingersoll,
commander of Cruiser Division 6.
Scouting Force, is moved up to be
an assistant to the chief of naval
operations. relieving Admiral Ghorm-
ley in August.
Rear Admiral David M. LIE Breton,
attending the Naval War College at
Newport. r. l., replaces Admiral
1ngersoll as chief of Cruiser Di-
vision 6.
Rear Admiral Cyrus w. Cole. COM
pandant of the Portsmouth On. h
Navy Yard. because OF the statutory
age limitation is retired. Rear
Admiral John D. Wainwright,
member of the General Board, re-
places Admiral Cole.
Rear Admiral Harry L. Brinser,
president of the Board of Inspection
and Survey. because of age is retired
and Rear Admiral John w. Wilcox,
jr,, commander of the Special Service
Squadron, takes his place
Capt. Henry K Hewitt, inspector
Of ordnance in charge of the Naval
Ammunition Depot, Puget Sound,
Wash, is ordered to duty as successor
to Admiral Wilcox. He will take the
rank of rear admiral.
Capt. Frederick l.. Reichmuth,
captain of the Washington Navy
Yard, is promoted to the grade of
rear admiral and next month enters
the advanced class at the Naval War
College NpUnort p