Evening star., 1942-02-28
Pearl Harbor
Commanders
Are Retired
DereIiction of Duty
Charge Must Be
Answered by Officers

Courts-martial on allegations
of dereliction of duty have been
ordered for Rear Admiral Hus-
band E. Kimmel and Mai. Gen.
Walter C. Short as the out
growth of the japanese surprise
attack on Pearl Harbor Deem
ber 7, the Navy and War Depart
ments disclosed simultaneously
today.
Trial of the former United States
and Pacific Fleet commander in
chief and the officer who COM
manded the Army defenses at
Hawaii at the time of the Japanese
sneak" raid will not be held until
"the public interest and safety" per-
mits, it was pointed out.
The announcement that prepara.
tionS for the trials had been Or
dered was made by Secretary Of
the Navy Knox and Secretary Of
War Stimson. with their statements
being timed to coincide.
Based on Roberts Report.
Findings of the commission head
ed by Supreme Court Justice Owen
J. Roberts resulted in the decision
to determine the guilt or innocence
of Admiral Kimmel and Gen. Short
by court martial. it was explained.
At the same time it was revealed
that the Navy and War Depart
ment chiefs are accepting the re-
tirement applications of Admiral
Kimmel and Gen. Short. The ac-
ceptances, it was stated, are being
granted without conformation of any
offense or prejudice to any further
disciplinary action"
Gen. Shorts application for re-
tirement has been accepted as Of
today, while that of Admiral KIM
mel becomes effective tomorrow.
Gen. Short and Admiral Kimmel
have been without assignment since
they were ordered relieved from
their posts by President Roosevelt
10 days after the surprise air raid
on the Pacific outpost.
Kimmel Announcement.
The Kimmel action was an
rounced in Navy communique No.
Al, which follows:
The Secretary of the Navy an
nounced today the acceptance, eff
fective March /, 1912, of the applica-
ton for retirement of Rear Admiral
H. E. Kimmel, United States Navy,
without conformation of any offense
or prejudice to any future discipline
ary action
The Secretary of the Navy an
nounced at the same time that,
based upon the findings of the re-
port of the Roberts Commission, he
had directed the preparation Of
charges for the trial by court mar
tial of Rear Admiral Kimmel al
leging dereliction of duty. The Sec
retary of the Navy made it clear.
however, that the trial upon these
charges would not be held until
such time as the public interest and
safety would permit"
Army Statement Identical.
The War Departments announce
ment said:
The Secretary of War announced
today the acceptance, effective Feb
ruary %, 1912, of the application for
retirement of Maj. Gen. Walter c.
Short without conformation of any
offense or prejudice to any future
disciplinary action
The Secretary of War announced
at the same time that, based upon
the findings of the report of the Rob-
erts Commission, he had directed the
preparation Of charges for the trial
by court of Gen. Short. AL
leging dereliction of duty. The Sec
retary of War made it clear, how
ever, that the trial upon these
charges would not be held until such
time as the public interest and safety
! would permit"
Admiral Kimmel. so, was born in
Henderson, KY. Under naval retire.
ment regulations he will receive re-
tirement pay of $4,000 year, pend.
! ing the outcome of the trial. Gen.
Short, a native of Fillmore, Ill, will
be 81 on March 80 and his rank and