in accordance with governmental policy. Diplomacy is sometimes delicate, and improper expressions by any governmental officer could cause serious trouble. Referring to the last paragraph of your letter, I have no objection to this reply being placed in the record. Sincerely, NIMITZ BIOGRAPHY AND STATEMENT OMAR N. BRADLEY. Senator STENNIS. I also have here a response of like nature by Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz. Admiral Nimitz was perhaps best known as Chief of Naval Operations, but he later occupied many other responsible positions up until something like 10 years ago. Without objection I would like to put that statement in the record, together with a biographical sketch of the Admiral. (The biography and statement referred to are, as follows:) FLEET ADM. CHESTER W. NIMITZ, U.S. NAVY Chester William Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg, Tex., on February 24, 1885, son of Chester Bernhard and Anna (Henke) Nimitz. He attended Tivy School, Kerrville, Tex., before his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy from the 12th Congressional District of Texas in 1901. After graduation (with distinction, seventh in a class of 114) in January 1905, he joined the U.S.S. Ohio at San Francisco, Calif., and cruised in her to the Far East where she became flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. In September 1906 he was transferred to the U.S.S. Baltimore, and on January 31, 1907, after the 2 years at sea, then required by law, he was commissioned ensign. He subsequently advanced in rank to that of rear admiral, effective June 23, 1938. He was appointed admiral to date from December 31, 1941; and his nomination to be Fleet Admiral (a rank established by act of Congress) was confirmed by the Senate, to date from December 19, 1944. Remaining on Asiatic station in 1907, he successively commanded the U.S.S. Panay and the U.S.S. Decatur, and served in the U.S.S. Denver. He returned to the United States in the U.S.S. Ranger in December 1908 and reported in January 1909 for instruction in the first submarine flotilla. In May of that year he was given command of the flotilla, with additional duty in command of the U.S.S. Plunger (later renamed the U.S.S. A-1). He was transferred to command of the U.S.S. Snapper when that submarine was commissioned on February 2, 1910, and on November 18, 1910, assumed command of the U.S.S. Narwhal. In the latter command he had additional duty from October 10, 1911, as commander, 3d Submarine Division, Atlantic Torpedo Fleet. He assumed command of the U.S.S. Skipjack (later renamed U.S.S. E-1) on February 14, 1912. On March 20, 1912, he rescued W. J. Walsh, fireman, second class, U.S. Navy, from drowning. A strong tide was running and Walsh, who could not swim, was being rapidly carried away from his ship. When picked up, both men were exhausted. For his heroic service, Nimitz, then a lieutenant, was awarded the Silver Lifesaving Medal by the Treasury Department. After serving from May 1912 to March 1913 as commander, Atlantic Submarine Flotilla, he was ordered to duty in connection with the building of diesel engines in the tanker U.S.S. Maumee, under construction at the New London Ship & Engine Building Co., Groton, Conn. He had detached duty in the summer of 1913 to study engines at the diesel engine plants in Nuremberg, Germany, and Ghent, Belgium. Returning to the New York Navy Yard, where the Maumee was completed, he had duty as her executive officer and engineer from her commissioning on October 23, 1916, until August 4, 1917. After he was detached, the United States was at war with Germany, and he reported on August 10, 1917, for duty as aide on the staff of Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. On February 6, 1918, he was appointed Chief of Staff and was awarded a letter of commendation by the Secretary of the Navy, which stated: "He performed meritorious service as Chief of Staff to the Commander, U.S. Atlantic Submarine Fleet." On September 16, 1918, just before the armistice, he reported for duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C., and on October 25 was given additional duty as senior member, Board of Submarine Design. From May 1919 until June 1920 he served as executive officer of the U.S.S. South Carolina. When detached, he had orders to command the U.S.S. Chicago with additional duty in command of Submarine Division 14, based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Returning to the United States on board the U.S.S. Argonne, in the summer of 1922 he completed instruction at the Naval War College, Newport, R.I., on June 23, then had duty as aide and assistant chief of staff to commander, battle fleet, and later to the commander in chief, U.S. Fleet (Adm. S. S. Robinson). In August 1926 he was ordered to the University of California where he installed and taught in one of the first Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps units established in a university. In June 1929 he was ordered to command Submarine Division 20 (redesignated SubDiv 12, April 1, 1931). In June 1931 he was transferred to command of the U.S.S. Rigel and the destroyers out of commission at the destroyer base, San Diego, Calif. In October 1933 he assumed command of the U.S.S. Augusta and cruised in her to the Far East, where in December she relieved the U.S.S. Houston as flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. Detached from command of the Augusta in April 1935, he returned home to serve for 3 years as Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. He was then designated commander, Cruiser Division 2, battle force, and in September 1938 was transferred to command of Battleship Division 1, battle force. He remained in command until May 1939, and on June 15, that year, was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, for a term of 4 years. Before the term was completed however, the United States was at war, and on December 17, 1941, he was designated commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, with the rank of admiral, effective from December 31, when he assumed that command. He was presented the Distinguished Service Medal by the President, awarded in the name of Congress, with the following citation: "For exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet since December 31, 1941. At the most critical period of the present war in the Pacific, Admiral Nimitz assumed command in that area and, despite the losses at Pearl Harbor and the tragic shortage of vessels, planes and supplies, organized his forces and carried on defensive warfare which halted the Japanese advance. As rapidly as ships, personnel, and material became available, he shifted from defensive to offensive warfare and, by his brilliant leadership and outstanding skill as a strategist, enabled the units under his command to defeat the enemy in the Coral Sea, off Midway, and in the Solomon Iislands; and to capture and occupy the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. * * *" He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the Navy Department, for “exceptionally meritorious service as commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. ***" The citation states that "His conduct of the operations of the Pacific Fleet, resulting in successful actions against the enemy in the Coral Sea, May 1942, and off Midway Island, June 1942, was characterized by unfail ng judgment and sound decision, completed with skill and vigor. ***" On October 7, 1943, he was redesignated commander in chief, Pacific Fleet a id Pacific Ocean areas. By act of Congress, approved December 14, 1944, the gr le of Fleet Admiral of the U.S. Navy-the highest grade in the Navy-was established for certain officers of the active list, and the next day the President of the United States nominated and, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appointed Admiral Nimitz to that rank. He accepted the appointment and took the oath of office on December 19, 1944. On September 1, 1945 (Washington, D.C., time), Fleet Admiral Nimitz was one of the signers of the United States when Japan formally signed the surrender terms aboard the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay, On October 5, 1945, which had been officially designated as "Nimitz Day" in Washington, D.C., Admiral Nimitz was personally presented a Gold Star in lieu of the third Distinguished Service Medal by the President of the United States "For exceptionally meritorious service as commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean areas, from June 1944 to August 1945. * * The citation further states: "Initiating the final phase in the battle for victory in the Pacific (he) attacked the Marianas, invading Saipan, inflicting a decisive defeat in the Japanese Fleet in the First Battle of the Philippines and capturing Guam and Tinian. In vital continuing operations, his fleet forces isolated the enemy-held bastions of the central and eastern Carolines and secured in quick succession Peleliu, Angaur and Ulithi. With reconnaissance of the main beaches on Leyte effected, approach channels cleared and opposition neutralized in joint operations to reoccupy the Philippines, the challenge by powerful task forces of the Japanese Fleet resulted in a historic victory in the three-phased Battle for Leyte Gulf, October 24 to 26, 1944. *** Fleet Admiral Nimitz culminated long-range strategy by successful amphibious assault on Iwo Jima and Okinawa * * * finally placed representative forces of the U.S. Navy in the harbor of Tokyo for the formal capitulation of the Japanese Empire. *** He demonstrated the highest qualities of a naval officer and rendered services of the greatest distinction to his country." On November 26, 1945, his nomination to be Chief of Naval Operations, for a term of 2 years was confirmed by the Senate. He had hauled down his flag at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he had hoisted it in December 1941 on board the submarine Grayling, in a harbor littered with wreckage of American warships, and on December 15, 1945, relieved Fleet Adm. Ernest J. King, U.S. Navy, as Chief of Naval Operations. He was awarded the Gold Star in lieu of a fourth Distinguished Service Medal, the citation stating in part: "For exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in duties of great responsibility as commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean areas, from August 1945, and as Chief of Naval Operations from December 1945 to December 1947. With his primary and immediate objective the difficult task of reducing the most powerful Navy in history to a fraction of its wartime peak (he) administered not only the rapid demobilization of vast numbers of personnel and vessels, but also the programs for the establishment and maintenance of active and reserve fleets with the potential strength and readiness required to support our national policy. ***” On December 15, 1947, he was detached as Chief of Naval Operations and ordered to San Francisco, Calif., for duty as directed by the Secretary of the Navy. On January 1, 1948, he reported as special assistant to the Secretary of the Navy in the western sea frontier, and serves in an advisory capacity, assisting in other matters pertaining to the Navy when called upon. On March 23, 1949, the Secretary of State announced the nomination by the United Nations Secretary General, of Fleet Admiral Nimitz as Plebiscite Administrator for Kashmir, India and Pakistan having both previously agreed to the plebiscite. However, when it appeared that the plebiscite mission would be postponed indefinitely, Admiral Nimitz asked to be relieved, agreeing that if the two disputing states would come to terms he would again take up his duties. He accepted, alternately, an assignment as a roving "good-will ambassador" of the United Nations, and from over a hundred speakers' platforms explained the major issues confronting the world organization. In addition to these duties, having remained on continuous active duty in the Navy, he has been available for frequent consultation by leading defense figures. On January 23, 1951, Admiral Nimitz was appointed chairman of a nine-man Commission on Internal Security and Individual Rights, established by President Truman to consider how best to protect the United States from subversion without endangering the freedoms of American citizens. However, the Commission was not established due to the failure of Congress to pass appropriate legislation. The admiral takes an active interest in community affairs, and has done considerable service for the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. For 8 years he served as regent for the University of California. In addition, he has been active in restoring good will with Japan-the nation he did so much to defeat in the war-by helping raise funds for the restoration of the battleship Mikasa, Admiral Togo's flagship at Tsushima in 1905, and by helping recover ceremonial swords and other items of sentimental value to the Japanese now in the possession of ex-servicemen. In addition to the Distinguished Service Medal awarded by Congress, the Distinguished Service Medal with two Gold Stars in lieu of like awards by the Navy, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, and the Silver Lifesaving Medal, Fleet Admiral Nimitz has the Victory Medal with Escort Clasp and Star; the American Defense Service Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal. Decorations and awards from foreign governments include: Britain: Order of Knight Grand Cross of the Bath, August 10, 1945. China: Order of the Grand Cordon of Pao Ting (Tripod) Special Class, March 8, 1947. Guam: La Cruz de Merito de Primera Clase, May 27, 1947. The Netherlands: Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords in the Degree of the Knight Grand Cross, December 1, 1947. France Grand Officer in the National Order of the Legion of Honor, December 9, 1947. Cuba: Grand Cross of the Order of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, December 13, 1947. Argentina: Order of the Liberator, December 11, 1947. Belgium: Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator, December 11, 1947; Grand Cross, Order of the Crown with Palm; Croz de Guerre with Palm, May 26, 1948. Italy: Knights of the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Italy. Ecuador: Star of Abdon Calderon (1st Class), July 6, 1944. Honorary degrees from the following universities and colleges have been conferred upon him: University of California, University of Notre Dame, Columbia University, University of Hawaii, Northwestern University, Seton Hall College, Southwestern University, Syracuse University, Lafayette College, Tulane University, University of South Carolina, Princeton University, University of Richmond, Williams College, Fordham University, Harvard University, Wayne University, Loras College, University of Alabama. He and Mrs. Nimitz, the former Catherine Vance Freeman, of Wollaston, Mass., reside at 728 Santa Barbara Road, Berkeley, Calif. They have a son, Rear Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, Jr., USN, retired, and three daughters: Catherine Vance, wife of Capt. James T. Lay, USN; Anne Elizabeth (Nancy) Nimitz, and Mary Manson Nimitz. STATEMENT OF FLEET ADMIRAL CHESTER W. NIMITZ, U.S.N. Hon. JOHN STENNIS, Chairman, Special Preparedness Subcommittee, November 10, 1961. DEAR SENATOR STENNIS: It has long been my conviction that the naval officer's role in relation to the national security of our country is fixed by his overriding duty and responsibility of so training and perfecting himself and the personnel and material entrusted to his command that he can make a maximum contribution to the defense and security of our country. It goes without saying that I write as a naval officer, with a point of view that reflects the customs, and, as you suggest, the unwritten laws of the Navy and the sea. I believe my views are shared by all mature naval officers. To insure a uniform and predictable performance of his duties—a must in any military organization-he should be guided by the policies and general instructions established by higher authority which leads upward through the chain of command to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, whose duties and responsibilities regarding our national security are defined by our Constitution. Should an officer, at any level in the chain of command, question the wisdom of any policy or order under which he is operating, it is his duty to bring such question immediately to the attention of his immediate superior, and thereafter to be guided by the decisions of those placed above him. In no other way can he live up to his sworn duty to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic”—an oath which all naval officers, I assure you, take very seriously. Officers called before committees of the Congress should be free to answer all questions to the best of their ability, but they should not maneuver or conspire to plant questions to be asked by committee members. Only the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and head of the executive branch of the Government, should have the authority to direct an officer witness before a congressional committee to refrain from giving testimony. The cold war in which we now find ourselves is a real war even though there may be no shooting or bloodshed. Officers of the Military Establishment, particularly those of experience, can be most valuable and useful in educating and training the public in meeting the menace of communism. However, such employment must be organized and must operate in accordance with established policies and general instructions, and, as in the case of military operations, those policies and instructions must come from higher authority. Without control and coordination such educational efforts will not obtain optimum results and may even cause confusion. Failure to make use of our military personnel and facilities in cold war education activities is to neglect a very important weapon against the cold war menace. Such an activity is truly a military operation and must be coordinated and supervised by higher authority. While I have no objection to having my views as given herein publicized or being placed in the record of your hearings, I will be grateful if you will let the Secretary of the Navy, Mr. John B. Connally, see your letter and my reply thereto, before publication in the hearings or elsewhere. Sincerely. CHESTER W. NIMITZ, Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy. Senator STENNIS. Members of the subcommittee, if there are no other matters to be disposed of, Colonel Smith has already been sworn and he may proceed. RADFORD AND ARNOLD STATEMENTS WILL GO IN RECORD Senator THURMOND. Mr. Chairman, I understood that you had written to Admiral Radford and General Arnold. Would you please put their statements in the record? Senator STENNIS. I do not know that they are available at this moment. We certainly expect to put them in the record, Senator Thurmond. We have been taking two or three of these statements at a time and placing them in the record as we have them ready for distribution. Senator THURMOND. I move that those two be put in the record, Mr. Chairman. Senator STENNIS. May I finish my statement? I say we will put them in the record when they are available for distribution to the press. I think there is some public interest in them now, and the Chair does not have any particular objection to them going in now, but it would be more orderly if we could have them ready for distribution to the press. Senator THURMOND. That would be all right. I just wanted to be sure they would be in the record. Senator STENNIS. They will go in. All right, anything further? REFERENCE TO SMITH'S DUTIES Our first witness today is Lt. Col. F. A. Smith, Jr. Colonel Smith, you had some duties in connection with General Trudeau and the preparation of some of the material for his speeches, is that correct? TESTIMONY OF LT. COL. FREDERICK ADAIR SMITH, JR., CHIEF OF THE TECHNICAL LIAISON BRANCH, AND INDUSTRIAL LIAISON OFFICE, CHIEF OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Colonel SMITH. That is correct, sir. Senator STENNIS. You were summoned here because of that work. Do you have a prepared statement? |