Evening star., 1942-08-11
Admiral GhormIey Well Versed
In Tactics of Both Oceans
58-Yeor-OId Veteran
Has Seen Theory Put
To Test in War

Supreme commander OF United
States and Allied sea, land and
air forces in the South Pacific is
Vice Admiral Robert Lee Ghorm-
ley. Here's look at the COM
n,ander ,oho is leading the attack
on the Solomon Islands.
BY TRUDI MCCULLOUGH,
Wide World.
NEW YORK, Aug. 11.-He knows
the Atlantic. He knows the Pacific.
From recent tours of duty in the
Once OF the Chief Of Naval Opera
tions and the War Plans Division,
Vice Admiral Robert Lee Ghormley
knows naval strategy and tactics
for both oceans.
From his own tours of sea duty
and his assignment as naval OBJ
server to Britain during this war he
has seen theory put to test.
Time and again he has been forced
to say to newsmen that because he
knew SO much he refused to dis
cuss the Navy. The ability to make
that statement without being ac-
cused Of wearing size 40 cap is
an ability peculiar to Admiral
Ghormley.
It is also keyhole view into the
character Of the of1cer who, In Lon
don. was as welcome socially as
professionally. Said one acquaint-
ance, He had respect for the Brit
ish Navy and gave it. He expected
respect for himself and got It,"
Enjoyed Social Life.
There, when there was a recess
from his professional duties as
senior naval observer, Admiral
Ghormley was great party man" :"
A1able. approachable despite the
broad stripes on his sleeve, he was
asked everywhere and he enjoyed
going.
When, in May Of this year, he
was called from his London post
with its Atlantic focus-to the Pa
cific. he had to do no hurried cram
ming.
Half a dozen years before, he had
gone into Pacific study deeply
! enough to work out some OF the
first theory on the joint use Of Sing
apore as a British American base
In the event of war.
When he got to the Pacific in
May, as supreme commander of the
South Pacific for naval units. air
and land forces for the United
States and Allies "a job paralleling
General MacArthur's in the South
west Paciflc), Singapore was long
gone. But the threats Of the vast
ocean stretches were the same. And
oceans are no strangers to Robert
Lee Ghormley.
18 Years Of Sea Duty.
He has had 18 years OF sea duty
on battleships, cruisers and de-
stroyers.
Six years after he was graduated
from Annapolis he served as aide
and flag lieutenant to the COM
mander in chief Of the Pacific Fleet
during the Nacaraguan campaign
Of 1912.
During the first World War he
was aide and nag ofncer to the
commander of the first battle force
and received the Distinguished
Service medal for exceptionally
meritorious and conspicuous serv-
ice" in q field highly important in
today's war of supply: Naval over
seas transportation service"
Into the pattern OF his sea duty
were woven shore details in Wash
ington that took him ever farther
into the sanctum where the over all
picture is seen and plotted
He served in the Bureau of Navi-
CATION, was aide to two assistant
Secretaries of the Navy, was on the
Navy General Board.
A Sound Tactician.
He became assistant chief of staff
to the commander OF the battle
force (the bulk of the fighting Navy
under old organization then as
sistant chief OF staff for the entire
fleet.
But it was on the basis of his
next two jobs that Admiral Ghorm-
ley became known as the sound tao
tician that he is claimed to be to-
day.
! For three years he headed up the