Evening star., 1949-11-19
CroI1lme|in Case
-
Closed, Sherman
Bars Navy Trial
Captains New Attock
On Unificution Policy
Added to His Record
By John A. Giles

martial and marked the case of
the Navy's outspoken unif1cation
critic as closed.
Capt. Crommelin yesterday de-
manded that a reprimand which
Admiral Sherman gave him No
vember 7 be expunged from his
record and that he be tried by
court-martial for having released
confidential Navy documents to
the public.
A spokesman for Admiral Sher-
man. Chief of Naval Operations
pointed out that the reprimand-
ing letter advised the captain that
he was free to make a reply be-
fore it became part of his off,
cial personnel record.
That reply has been made and
considered and no further action
will be TAKEN" the spokesman de-
clared. ..
Made Part of Record.
Thus both the reprimand and
the captains caustic reply Of yes
terday in which he renewed his
attack on national defense poll
cies, will become a part of Capt
Crommelin's record and will come
up for consideration when he Is
again considered for promotion
After Admiral Sherman made
his announcement, Capt. Crom-
melin indicated that he was not
yet through with his campaign
to bring about a change In the
Nations defense setup.
Il would just like to say that
my personal welfare is completely
unimportant and 1t is my fervent
hope that the Defense Establish
ment will be further investigated
by Congress.
"And hope that Congress will
restore the system Of checks and
balances so necessary for the
operation of our defense estab-
lishment."
Not Detached From Duty Here.
The captain said he could not
say at this time when he would
leave Washington for San Fran
cisco. where he has been ordered
as aviation officer Of the Western
Sea Frontier. He added that he
had two weeks in which to report
to the West Coast and that he
had not yet been detached from
duty in Admiral Sherman's office
in the Pentagon.
Admiral Sherman appears to
have been well covered by naval
in releasing the stiff
which he handed Capt
Crommelin. An aide yesterday
cited q restricted letter Of last
January Z in which the then Sec
retary Of the Navy. John L. Sulli-
van, ruled that "a public repri-
mand may be issued by a fleet
commander, by a force commander
or by higher authority"
In his reply to the reprimand,
Capt. Crommelin took a clout
at a small group Of men,
who, he said, have "com-
plete and full control of the De-
tense Department and q care
fully prepared plan" to take over
its civilian operations. He told
reporters he was referring to Army
and Air Force officers.
Their plan is very. very close
to a scheme drawn up by Heinz
Guderian, the last chief Of staff
Of Hitlef. In fact. It's so close
this is It,"
Charges Shrewd Propaganda.
He said in the letter that these
men have used "shrewd propa-
ganda methods" and sharp po-
litical maneuvers" to give an i'm
preston that "a small powerful
military group. whose decision.
are sacroscant. is the only answer
to inter-service disagreements."
He added that "the real truth
had been concealed from the pub
lie and that therefore 1t was neces.
sary for the security Of the coun-
try for him to release last October
3 confidential letter in which
Vice Admiral Gerald r. Began
complained to Mr.. Matthews that
Navy morale was going to pieces
The admiral said the reason wa,
that present defense policies give
too much emphasis and funds te
the Air Force and not enough te
the Navy.
Two members OF Congress, SEN
ator Mccarthy, Republican, o1
Wisconsin, and Representative
Sutton, Democrat. of Tennessee
have offered Capt. Crommelin any
help they can give. That include.
legal advice should there be .
court martial.
Senator Mccarthy was Marine
captain In the war. Representa-
tive Sutton was q wounded, much
decorated member Of q Navy un-
derwater demolition outfit.