Ernest King dies January 1942

If Ernest King died in say January 1942 who is likley to replace him and what, if any, changes would you expect?
 
The most likely replacements would be the other senior officers - the Commanders in Chief of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, namely Royal Ingersoll and Chester Nimitz. Both, however, were appointed only days or weeks before.

Of the two, I'd assme Ingersoll would be appointed instead because he was based in Washington, and FDR wouldn't want to appoint yet another new admiral for the Pacific Fleet (in one month there would have already been three - Kimmel, Pye as interim commander, and Nimitz) when it was vital for leadership there to be steady.

There are other candidates, but I don't know of any who would be stronger. I don't think FDR would want to reappoint Stark, Leahy was effectively Chairman of the JCS, and FDR was already angry at Pye. Who else could it be - Ghormley? Halsey is probably needed in the Pacific, and unlikely to be promoted ahead of Nimitz.
 
Blackfox5 said:
Ghormley? Halsey is probably needed in the Pacific, and unlikely to be promoted ahead of Nimitz.
Ghormley, maybe. Both he & Halsey are senior to Nimitz (by precedence), aren't they? There's also Edwards, who got sent to England (which raises the question, who replaces him? Kimmel?:p) Is Fletcher too junior? Kinkaid?

Could we see Edwards CinCUS & Fletcher or Halsey in London?:cool:
 
Top