NOMINATIONS AND BILLS NOMINATION OF VICE ADM. GEORGE W. ANDERSON TO BE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1961 U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES, Washington, D.C. The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:30 a.m., in room 212, Old Senate Office Building. Present: Senators Russell (chairman), Stennis, Symington, Jackson, Ervin, Thurmond, Bartlett, Cannon, Byrd of West Virginia, Saltonstall, Bridges, and Smith of Maine. Also present: William H. Darden, T. Edward Braswell and Gordon A. Nease of the professional staff; Harry L. Wingate, Jr., chief clerk; and Herbert S. Atkinson, assistant chief clerk. Chairman RUSSELL. The committee will come to order. The first nomination for consideration this morning is that of Vice Adm. George W. Anderson, to be Chief of Naval Operations for 2 years, with the rank of admiral. (The nomination reference and report and the biographical sketch of Admiral Anderson follow :) NOMINATION REFERENCE AND REPORT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, June 22, 1961. Ordered, That the following nomination be referred to the Committee on Armed Services: Vice Admiral George W. Anderson, United States Navy, to be Chief of Naval Operations in the Department of the Navy for a term of two years with the rank of admiral, under the provisions of title 10, United States Code, section 5081 VICE ADM. GEORGE W. ANDERSON, JR., U.S. NAVY George Whelan Anderson, Jr., was born on December 15, 1906, in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of George W. and Clara (Green) Anderson. He attended Brooklyn Preparatory School, and entered the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., from his native State in 1923. Graduated and commissioned ensign on June 2, 1927, he subsequently advanced in rank to that of rear admiral, to date from August 1, 1954. He served in the rank of vice admiral from May 1, 1957, until January 18, 1958, and on September 14, 1959, he again assumed the rank of vice admiral. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1927, he remained there for the short course in aviation, before joining the U.S.S. Chaumont, for transportation to the U.S.S. Cincinnati, in which he served as a junior officer until 1930. He was then ordered to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., for flight training and, designated naval aviator in October of that year, was ordered to the Atlantic Fleet for duty in the aviation units of the U.S.S. Concord and U.S.S. Raleigh, successively. 1 Between 1933 and 1935 he was assigned to the Flight Test Division of the Naval Air Station, NOB, Norfolk, Va., after which he had duty afloat with Fighting Squadron TWO, based on the U.S.S. Lexington. He was detached from that squadron with orders to the Newport News (Va.) Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., where the U.S.S. Yorktown was building, and joined that aircraft carrier on her commissioning on September 30, 1937. From the fall of 1939 until early 1940 he was attached to Patrol Squadron 44, Patrol Wing 4, based at Seattle, Wash. He was next assigned to the Plans Division, Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, Washington, D.C., and while there participated in the formulation of the American aircraft program for World War II. This included association with wartime agencies charged with production and allocation of all U.S. aircraft, and planning the aircraft aspects of the expansion of naval aviation. For his liaison work with the Army Air Force while in that assignment, he received a letter of commendation from the War Department, with authorization to wear the Army Commendation Ribbon. In March 1943 he again reported to the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., this time to assist in fitting out the new U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-10), and became navigator and tactical officer when she was commissioned on April 15, 1943. He was aboard that aircraft carrier during her early action in the Pacific, and received a letter of commendation, with authority to wear the Commendation Ribbon, from the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, for outstanding services from August 15 to November 1, 1943, while attached to the U.S.S. Yorktown. He is also entitled to the ribbon for, and a facsimile of, the presidential unit citation awarded the U.S.S. Yorktown for "extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the air, at sea, and on shore in the Pacific war area from August 31, 1943, to August 15, 1945 * * * Daring and dependable in combat, the Yorktown with her gallant officers and men rendered loyal service in achieving the ultimate defeat of the Japanese Empire." He next had duty as plans officer on the staff of Commander Aircraft, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and for "exceptionally meritorious conduct *** as head of the Plans Division of the staff of Commander Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during the period from November 1943 to March 1944 *** " he was awarded the Legion of Merit. The citation further states: "In this capacity it was his grave responsibility to prepare plans for the activation and employment of Air Force, Pacific Fleet aircraft units and ships, and to supervise the preparation of plans for the establishment and initial logistic support of advanced airbase. The ultimate success of these plans may be attributed, in large measure, to the highly efficient manner in which he contributed to the compiling and evaluating of the mass of details upon which these plans were based, and to his sound judgment in estimating future requirements and availability of Pacific Fleet aviation units * * *." On March 28, 1944, he reported as Assistant to the Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean areas. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for "meritorious achievement (in that capacity) *** during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific war area, from March 28, 1944, to April 16, 1945, *** The citation further states: "Intelligently planning and estimating for the needs of naval aviation in the Pacific, [he] contributed materially to the improvement in organization, training, and logistical support ***" In June 1945 he became aviation officer in the Strategic Plans Section on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, with headquarters at the Navy Department, Washington, D.C. As such, he also had duty as Deputy Navy Planner on the Joint Planning Staff. Ordered to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, he was appointed a member of the Permanent Joint Board of Defense (Canada-United States) in November 1946; was also one of the Navy members of the Brazilian-United States Defense Commission and served with the Joint War Plans Committee of the Joint Staff. In July 1948 he returned to sea as commanding officer of the U.S.S, Mindoro, and when detached from that antisubmarine carrier in August 1948, reported for instruction at the National War College, Washington, D.C. Completing the course there in July 1950, he joined the staff of the Commander 6th Fleet as fleet operations officer. In December 1950 he transferred to the staff of the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (SHAPE), and remained there until July 1952 as the senior U.S. officer in Plans and Operations. He served as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt for a year, and when detached from command of that aircraft carrier in June 1953, reported for duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department. In July 1953 he became Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., continuing to serve in that capacity until July 1955. On August 3, that year, he assumed command of the Formosa Patrol Force with additional duty as Commander, Fleet Air Wing 1 (his title was changed late in 1955 to Commander U.S. Taiwan Patrol Force). He was Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Commander in Chief, Pacific, from July 1956 until May 1957 when he reported in the rank of vice admiral as chief of staff and aide to the Commander in Chief, Pacific. He was Commander Carrier Division 6 from July 1958 until September 14, 1959, when he became Commander 6th Fleet and Commander Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe, with the accompanying rank of vice admiral where he served until June 24, 1961. In addition to the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Commendation Ribbon (Navy), the Commendation Ribbon (Army), and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with one star, Admiral Anderson has the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two stars; the World War II Victory Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal. He has also been awarded the Order of the British Empire, rank of honorary officer, from the Government of Great Britain. Admiral Anderson's official address is Brooklyn, N.Y., but he makes his home in Washington, D.C. He is married to the former May Lee Lamar Sample, of Pensacola, Fla., and has two sons, Lt. George W. Anderson III, U.S. Navy (class of 1957) and Thomas Patrick; a daughter, Mary Annette; and stepdaughter, Miss Carolyn Sample. Chairman RUSSELL. Admiral Anderson has had a distinguished career in the Navy. At the time of his selection as the next Chief of Naval Operations he was serving as commander of the 6th Fleet, an assignment that undoubtedly brought him in contact with members of this committee, and enabled them to know him personally. I happen to have known Admiral Anderson personally for a number of years. Admiral Anderson, will you be seated at the end of the table? We are very happy to welcome you here. On behalf of the committee, I congratulate you on your selection for this very important and responsible position. I am sure you know that you can depend upon the cooperation of this committee in the discharge of your duties, and that you have our very best wishes as you enter upon this new assignment. The Chair would be glad to recognize any member of the committee who desires to make a comment or to address questions to Admiral Anderson. Senator Saltonstall. Senator SALTONSTALL. Mr. Chairman, I came in time to hear the last of your remarks, and I have the same feeling. I saw Admiral Anderson yesterday for a few moments and we had a very pleasant talk together, and I told him just what you said. We want to cooperate with him to make our Navy the best and the strongest in the world, and keep it that way. I congratulate you for undertaking the job. You come after a very worthy predecessor and, as I told you yesterday, if you live up to the job that Admiral Burke has done, I know we will have a fine Navy. Chairman RUSSELL. Senator Stennis. Senator Stennis, do you care to ask any questions of the admiral? Senator STENNIS. Mr. Chairman, I certainly share your feeling of congratulations to the admiral for being chosen for this most honorable and responsible position. I feel like the U.S. Navy, to a great degree the world's policeman, and a mighty good one, represents the very best traditions of the armed services, as well as of our great country, and I am sure the President has chosen well. Admiral, you have had other rough assignments. This will be storm tossed, too, I am sure. I certainly wish you well. Chairman RUSSELL. Senator Smith. Senator SMITH. Well, Mr. Chairman, I concur with all that has been said by the chairman, Senator Saltonstall, and Senator Stennis, and I wish the admiral well. Chairman RUSSELL. Senator Symington. Senator SYMINGTON. Admiral, I would like to also join in the remarks made about you. I would like to ask-I do not want this to be entirely a eulogy instead of a hearing-I would like to ask a couple of questions. You, as a member of the Joint Chiefs, will be interested in the future of all services as well as the Navy's, will you not? STATEMENT OF VICE ADM. GEORGE W. ANDERSON, NOMINEE TO BE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS Admiral ANDERSON. Yes, sir. Senator SYMINGTON. I might say that I asked that question of Admiral Radford when he came up to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 1953, and his answer was the same as yours, and he certainly proved it in the magnificent record he had as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. You have no preconceived ideas of how we should handle the new and different nature of aggression, have you? Admiral ANDERSON. No, Senator. Senator SYMINGTON. I think you know what I am getting at as I asked the question? Admiral ANDERSON. Yes, sir. I think we have got to recognize as a Nation that we are up against tough opposition who carry out a masterful strategy. They create and exploit situations where all the courses of action posed to us are characterized by unpleasantries and disadvantages. It is a tough, tough job to cope with each one of these situations, particularly so because the Communist group can always retreat to the "status quo" without losing face. Senator SYMINGTON. And you would feel that we should be more than ever before in our history probably in a position to adjust our own situation from the standpoint of security-I do not like to constantly use the word "defense" but I suppose that is the best word. Admiral ANDERSON. I think we have got to be very alert, very imaginative, very flexible, and very, very determined, sir. Senator SYMINGTON. Well, I congratulate you on that reply. Now, I have done a little homework about you, and although our relationship has been pleasant since you got this job, I believe the record here shows that you reverted to the permanent rank of rear admiral in 1958. That was because you desired to broaden the scope of your experience, is that not correct? Admiral ANDERSON. That is correct, sir. I was very fortunate to have been promoted relatively young for the Navy to the rank of vice admiral while I was Chief of Staff and aide to Admiral Stump, Commander in Chief, Pacific, and I felt it was very desirable for an officer to have operational experience in command of operating forces afloat. Ithink it was the best move I ever made. Senator SYMINGTON. And so you applied for reduction in rank in order to get the additional experience, is that correct? Admiral ANDERSON. Yes, sir. Senator SYMINGTON. No further questions, Mr. Chairman. Chairman RUSSELL. Senator Thurmond. Senator THURMOND. Mr. Chairman, Admiral Anderson has a very outstanding and fine record, and I think the President and the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy are to be commended upon his selection. Chairman RUSSELL, Senator Cannon. Senator CANNON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I certainly join in the remarks that have been made here concerning Admiral Anderson. I look forward to working with him and to seeing him perform an outstanding job in this new position for our country. I congratulate the admiral. Chairman RUSSELL. Senator Byrd. Senator BYRD of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I associate myself with the words that have been spoken by others in congratulating Admiral Anderson. I listened very carefully to his statement a little while ago, and I am very pleased at his reaction to the questions propounded by the distinguished Senator from Missouri, Senator Symington. I was more than pleased to hear him say that we must be very, very determined. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. I do not know any words that could be more fitly spoken than those words spoken by the admiral, and I certainly share in the belief that we must be very, very determined. Admiral Anderson, I wish you well in your work. As long as you attempt to live up to this statement I will attempt to hold up your hand. Chairman RUSSELL. Any further comments or questions of Admiral Anderson. Senator SALTONSTALL. Mr. Chairman, I think if it would not embarrass the admiral, to show what the people whom he served abroad felt about him. It would be very interesting to hear the little story about when he went ashore after he came up in command of the 6th Fleet. Admiral ANDERSON. I mentioned to Senator Saltonstall yesterday the very heart-warming experiences, one of them that I had had, in the last few weeks in the Mediterranean. One which I did not tell the Senator was when I visited the island of Patmos in the eastern Aegean. I had my flag in a destroyer for the visit, and I went ashore. The whole of this little island was down 72385-612 |