Evening star., 1950-01-29
Formal Resignation
As Operations Chief
Submitted by Denfeld
By John A, Giles

By John A. Giles
Admiral Louis e. Denfeld now
has formally resigned as Chief of
Naval Operations-the post from
which he was fired last October 27
by Navy Secretary Matthews with
President Truman's approval.
The resignation was received by
the Navy Department Friday, It
was learned yesterday.
Meanwhile, MIR. Matthews pre-
pared to appear before the Senate
Armed Services Committe at II
am. tomorrow to give a further
explanation of his differences
with Admiral Denfeld which cul-
minated in the dramatic custer.
Navy sources said that the resig-
nation would be acknowledged in
routine fashion Admiral Denfeld
has announced his retirement
from active duty effective March l.
Faces Quiz on Differences.
Senator Mccarthy, Republican,
of Wisconsin, in a Senate speech
made a point of the fact that Ad-
miral Denfeld actually held a COM
mission for a two-year term of
Office beginning last December IS,
signed by President Truman and
Mr.. Matthews. 1t was his conten-
tion that this made the Office
occupied and that the Senate
should not act favorably on the
confirmation of Admiral Forrest P.
Sherman as Admiral Denfeld's
successor.
However, the Senator later told
the Senate that Admiral Denfeld
had agreed to submit resigna-
ton from the post to clear up any
doubt. The Senate then con-
firmed Admiral Sherman unan-
imously on voice vote.
1t was Senator McCarthys
blistering attack on Mr.. Matthews
for having told the committee that
the commission had not been
ISSUED" to Admiral Denfeld that
finally resulted in the Secretary's
recall before the committee for an
explanation tomorrow. Mr.. Mat
thews later wrote Chairman Tyd-
ings of the committee that the
commission actually was delivered
to Admiral Denfeld by Rear
Admiral Robert L. Dennision, Mr..
Truman's naval aide, without the
knowledge of either the President
or Mr.. Matthews. This did not
constitute a legal issuance of the
document, he contended.
But the questioning of Sec
retary Matthews at a closed, ses-
sion is expected to go deeper into
the Denfeld matter than the mere
issuance Of a commission.
The Secretary is likely to be
asked to lay before the group the
full background of his differences
with his erstwhile operations chief
and to explain in detail his state
ment that the custer was not a |
reprisal for the admiral's testi-
mony critical of unif1cation poll
cies before the House Armed
Services Committee last year.
Predated Testimony.
The Secretary's letter to Mr.. |
Truman asking Admiral Denfeld's
removal indicated that their Diff
ferenceg predated the testimony.
He wrote that on October 4-in
advance Of the testimony-he had
told the admiral he feared his
usefulness as Chief Of Naval OPP
erations had terminated" That
was shortly after Capt. John G.
Crommelin released to the press
copies Of confidential correspond
ence, including Admiral Denfeld's
Endorsement. which criticized uni
f1cation. The custer was not a
reprisal, both Mr.. Matthews and |
Defense Secretary johnson have
said.
But the Navy Secretary told the
Senate committee when it was
considering the Sherman appoint
ment that officers high in the
chain Of command" who express
ideas at variance with their supe-
riors-no matter before what
forum-should be prepared to-
take the consequences" He said
he could not run the department.
otherwise. Senator Mccarthy and
other Republicans declared this
attitude affected Congress ability
to get unbiased opinions