Evening star., 1945-10-07
Navy Still Needed
Despite Atom Bomb /,
|Nimifz Tells Press
By CARTER BROOKE JONES.


The atomic bomb will not NEAR
the end of the Navy 'in your life-
time or mine," Admiral Chester w
Nimitz declared yesterday.
Discussing the weapon at a press
conference in the Navy Department
the chief of the Pacific feet saiC
the bomb is just another weapon
which must be brought close enough
to the scene of action to be used
see no way to get them there ex-
cept by ships until we can project
them from this continent to an
other"
During your lifetime and mine
we will have the Navy" the admiral
added emphatically.
At his press conference, Admiral
Nimitz disclosed for the first time
how his submarines were able to
slip through gauntlets of mines and
patrols, into Japanese waters anc
sink so many enemy ships.
Planes Were Subs Eyes.
1t was, Admiral Nimitz explained,
because the submarines were in con-
stant touch with scouting seaplanes
which made daily flights from the
Marianas and Okinawa.
The sub commanders were told
where to find the ships and they
sunk them in such numbers that
their loss helped terrify Japan into
surrender.
There was very close liaison
between the planes and the SUBJ
Marines" the admiral commented
and added laconically: THE SUBJ
marines would intercept the jap
anese ship"
These daring forays took place of
the China coast, in the Yellow Sea
and the Sea of Japan.
The submarines in the course of
their duties rescued about 80 per
cent of the American flyers who
were forced down in those waters.
They were not all Navy flyers, the
admiral emphasized. Many were
Army pilots and bomber crews.
Helped Flyers Morale.
''It made all the difference In the
morale of our flyers when they
started out from those islands," the
admiral said. They knew our SUBJ
marines were spotted all around and
they knew where, and they knew
that If they had to make forced
landing at sea the submarines would
save them If humanity possible"
How many submarines did we
have in Japanese waters?" asked a
reporter.
"A large number" replied the adj
miral, smiling.
The press conference was one of
the last events on a thrilling pro-
gram that began Friday when the
quiet, bronzed feet admiral was
honored by Congress and President
Truman and welcomed tumultuously
by an estimated million citizens
along the streets and at the Monu-
ment grounds and was feted at a
banquet that night.
uets fn1nppfne Medal
Another honor reserved for YES
terday was the Philippine Medal of
Valor, highest decoration of the
island government. presented by
President Sergio Osmena at the
Philippine Commonwealth Building
here.
The citation said the admiral's
service to the people of the Philip
pines has evoked their lasting graft
tude and friendship" 1t spoke of
how he hurled the power Of ships,
men and aircraft against the
enemy" Mr.. Osmena added:
I'VE want you and the whole
world to know that we are grateful
to you. to your country and to the
brave men who fought under your
command for your magnificent
share in the great victory which
restored our freedom"
Reception in New York.
Admiral Nimitz announced his
immediate plans. He will 60 to New
York Tuesday for another big re-
ception, returning to Washington
the next day. He hopes then to
visit Annapolis for the Naval
Academy centennial celebratio
After that he will fly to Texas for
two or three days, visiting several
cities in his home State. Then, he