Evening star., 1945-12-15
Top Ranking Officers
See Nimitz Take Oath
As Operations Chief
ForrestuI Praises
King, Who Is Retiring
About January !
BY WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY.

Admiral Chester w. Nimitz
assumed the Navy's top COM
mand as Chief of Naval Opera
tions today in ceremony in the
conference room at the Navy
Department. Secretary of the
Navy Forrestal and the chiefs of
all Navy bureaus and their aides
witnessed the event.
Secretary Forrestal paid tribute to
the retiring Chief of Naval Opera
tions, Admiral Ernest j. King, and
to Admiral Nimitz for their war
service.
Admiral Nimitz does not become
commander in chief of the fleet, as
that office has been abolished by
executive order of the President.
However, all of its functions, which
were carried out by Admiral King
during the war, have been transfer
red to the Office of Chief of Naval
Operations.
King May Retire January l.
Admiral Nimitz was sworn in by
Rear Admiral Oswald S. Colclough,
judge advocate general. Admiral
King, who is 81 and who has been
kept on duty three years beyond the
statutory retirement age, was or
dered to report to the Secretary of
the Navy for duty until he is placed
on the retired list, expected about
January /. .-.-
Secretary Forrestal, in paying
tribute to the retiring fleet COM
mander, said he could find no better
language than that which appeared
on the degree of doctor of laws given
Admiral King by Howard University
six months ago. 1t read:
"A strategist, unshaken by ad-
versity, determined organizer of
final victory, we honor his brilliant
leadership of our Navy and pay
tribute to the fighting men whom
he commands"
The Secretary said Admiral King
brought to his task an intellectual
grasp of the principles of war in
general and of naval warfare in
particular which he had acquired
during A years of service. He
added that Admiral King gave full
play to the possibilities of air war
fare while keeping the principle that
every part of the Navy had to con-
form to the concept of action as a
team.
King Reads Statement.
I'm Admiral Nimitz he has a sue
cessor who brings to his responsible
lties the experience gained in exer-
else of overall command in the Pa
cific theater of war for three years
where he upheld the high traditions
of the United States naval service" :"
Mr.. Forrestal added.
Admiral King read brief state
ment which is being dispatched to
the Navy's fleets and shore stations
throughout the world, expressing
my deep and abiding appreciation
for the whole-hearted efforts and
devotion to duty which have enabled
us to defeat our enemies"
II wish also to express to our sis
ter service-the Army-in all of its
arms and branches, my best thanks
for the cooperation and team work
which made unity of effort the real
tty without which the war certainly
could not have been won," the state
ment added.
In assuming his new post, Ad-
mlral Nimitz said: II have Just
taken on a great responsibility. I
will do my utmost to meet it,"
Admiral King was honored for his
service yesterday when President
Truman decorated him with a Gold
Star in lieu of third Distinguished
Service Medal.
The ceremony was held in the
east room of the White House with
members of the cabinet and other
officials present. In the group were
Admiral Nimitz, Gen. George C.
Marshall and Gen. Dwight D. Eisen-
hover.
The decoration was given "for ex-
ceptionally meritorious service to the
Government of the United States in
duty of great responsibility as
commander in chief of the United
States Fleet from December 20.
1941, and concurrently as Chief of
Naval Operations from March 18,
1912, to October 10, 1945."
Grindo,