Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-10-30
Navy Units Role
Under Scrutiny
Documents Are Seized:
3, 300 Middies Cheer
DenfeId at Come
BY John A. Giles

An investigation has been
launched into activities of a Navy
office which has been reported as
having been active in precipitating
the recent House unification hear
ing, it was learned last night.
This disclosure came as Admiral
Denfeld considered Navy Secre-
tary Matthews offer of high de-
Tense job and Vice Admiral For
rest P. Sherman, Mediterranean
Fleet commander, continued to be
prominently mentioned for ap-
pointment as Chief of Naval OPP
erations.
Admiral Denfeld attended the
Navy-Notre Dame game in Balti-
more yesterday and sat just below
the brigade of midshipmen. The
admiral's arrival at the Babe Ruth
Stadium was heralded by a Navy
cheer from the 3,300-man brigade
and applause from the 62,413 pay
ing spectators.
Secretary Matthews, who rec
commended the custer of Admiral
Denfeld as chief of naval opera
tons, had expected to attend the
game and occupy an adjoining
box, but pressure of work kept
him away.
Some Documents Seized
Rear Admiral Allen R. Mccain,
Navy Inspector General. has been
investigating the "Organizational,
Research and Policy Division" Of
the Office of the Chief of Naval
Operations and has seized some
OF its documents. it was. learned.
The division. known in Navy
parlance as "Op 49," meaning OPP
erations Division %, is headed by
Capt. A. A. Burke, who testified
at the recent House Armed Serv-
ices Committee hearing on the
bitter uniflcation row which has
already resulted in the ousting of
Admiral Denfeld.
There have been reports that
Capt. Burke's division, comprising
Is officers and II enlisted person.
mel, organized the Navy presenta-
tons before the committee and
that it was instrumental in pre-
pairing and distributing transcripts
OF what the ad1nirals had to say
about the Air Force in the hear
ings.
Office Reported to be Task Force.
The implication of these re-
ports has been that "Op %" was
in reality the nucleus of a Navy
task force established to fight
any de-emphasis of the service in
defense planning.
From time to time during the
House Armed Services Commit
tee hearing on the Air Forces
B-36 intercontinental bomber,
Air Force spokesman had COM
planned of what they called a
"well-organized" campaign to dis
credit the big plane and the stra-
tegic bombing strategy it repre-
SentS.
They did not accuse the Navy
directly, however, of organizing
the attack.
The units listed duties are so
large and broad that it might
go into almost any activity. It
was set up Ito conduct research
and study involving organiza tionals
units and principles now in use
or proposed in the National Mill
tary Establishment in order to as
sist in formulation of policy by
advising the Chief of Naval Opera
lions regarding relationships Of
units, functions and policies to ex-
listing legislation and Navy De-
partment procedures,
Denfeld Decision Awaited.
Aides to Admiral Denfeld said he
might announce his decision to-
morrow on whether he will retire
or take another job which Mr..
Matthews said would not mean
any demotion in rank.
Mr.. Matthews has steadfastedly
refused to disclose who he plans
to recommend for Chief of Naval
Operations, although he admitted
having talked several times
with Admiral Sherman when the
latter was here during the uni
f1cation hearings. He did not tes-
tify before the committee.
Admiral Sherman was detailed
by the late Navy Secretary For
restal in 1916 to work out a COM
promise in the bitter battle over
the unif1cation law along with
1t. Gen. Lauris Norstad of the
Air Force.
The fact that Admiral Sherman
was then active in favor of uni
f1cation and that he also has re-