The Career of a Naval Officer
- Thread starter Major Major
- Start date
Yup. A successful tour of duty as a wartime squadron CO (burnished by that MOH) would likely be followed in OTL by a stateside assignment selling war bonds, at least a brief period as an instructor and then tried out as an XO of a CAG. Assuming success at that, promotion to commander is virtually inevitable.
That's what I am thinking. Also for him the sooner he is not flying missions the longer he will serve most likely. Fighting Aces did not live that long
And many of the pre-WW I grads were in high USN commands around that time. Strauss was CinC Asiatic Fleet 1921-1922. Coontz was CinCUS 1923-1925. Eberle was CNO 1923-1927.
The wartime anti-German hysteria burned out very quickly after WW I ended.
USS Nicholas (DD-449), Bath Iron Works, Maine, June 4, 1942
USS Nicholas (DD-439), Bath Iron Works, Maine, June 4, 1942
She was the first ship of that class to be launched. Named for Major Samuel Nicholas, the first officer of the Continental Marines, she was a deadly weapon of war, with five 127-mm main guns and ten 530-mm torpedo tubes and a maximum speed of 67 kilometers per hour. (Her captain had been brought up by a father who used the metric system, and his son thought that way.)
Commander Heydrich, the new ship’s captain, had grudgingly accepted that a commander had to have had command of a surface ship. His career path would lead to command of a carrier air group, a cruiser, and an aircraft carrier, with higher commands to follow. His father-in-law admitted he would probably have retired by then, but he would dine with his successors and drop hints. He had been recruited for a war bond tour, but long and multiple letters to Admiral King had relieved him of that duty.
He read himself in. That done, he started interviewing the men; the officers first, then the petty officers, and finally the seamen. To each group he gave the same message: “We are a team. Every man has to know his assignment, and be able to take up another if necessary. Our fellow sailors are fighting in the Pacific, facing an implacable enemy, who is determined to destroy us.” Then they began working up.
In August, the Nicholas put in at Norfolk. COMINCH himself came down to inspect the ship. Admiral King left that day convinced that his daughter had made the right choice. The ship was training efficiently. Heydrich had commended several men, even though he realized that he was preparing to give up experienced men and take on new boots. They would be the experienced cadres of the many new destroyers that would follow.
He had things in common with his father-in-law. For example, they both were always right. King had not instituted convoys, even when the Germans got so brazen that they might as well have pulled into harbor in Atlantic City and confiscated all the beer (only to dump it over the side as being not much more than hop-flavored water). Commander Heydrich had crossed swords with some of his subordinates and the builders.
She was the first ship of that class to be launched. Named for Major Samuel Nicholas, the first officer of the Continental Marines, she was a deadly weapon of war, with five 127-mm main guns and ten 530-mm torpedo tubes and a maximum speed of 67 kilometers per hour. (Her captain had been brought up by a father who used the metric system, and his son thought that way.)
Commander Heydrich, the new ship’s captain, had grudgingly accepted that a commander had to have had command of a surface ship. His career path would lead to command of a carrier air group, a cruiser, and an aircraft carrier, with higher commands to follow. His father-in-law admitted he would probably have retired by then, but he would dine with his successors and drop hints. He had been recruited for a war bond tour, but long and multiple letters to Admiral King had relieved him of that duty.
He read himself in. That done, he started interviewing the men; the officers first, then the petty officers, and finally the seamen. To each group he gave the same message: “We are a team. Every man has to know his assignment, and be able to take up another if necessary. Our fellow sailors are fighting in the Pacific, facing an implacable enemy, who is determined to destroy us.” Then they began working up.
In August, the Nicholas put in at Norfolk. COMINCH himself came down to inspect the ship. Admiral King left that day convinced that his daughter had made the right choice. The ship was training efficiently. Heydrich had commended several men, even though he realized that he was preparing to give up experienced men and take on new boots. They would be the experienced cadres of the many new destroyers that would follow.
He had things in common with his father-in-law. For example, they both were always right. King had not instituted convoys, even when the Germans got so brazen that they might as well have pulled into harbor in Atlantic City and confiscated all the beer (only to dump it over the side as being not much more than hop-flavored water). Commander Heydrich had crossed swords with some of his subordinates and the builders.
NotBigBrother
Monthly Donor
An experienced naval flyer sent to command a destroyer. What a waste! Blame Admiral King.
Fletchers class DDs were never on convoy duty. That was mostly Gold-Platers, Four-Stackers, and the like. USS Nicholas is a member of DESRON 21.
Well, if you want to command an American aircraft carrier, you will ordinarily have to have successfully commanded another ship first-usually a tanker or other support vessel. I believe this practice was first introduced during the later part of the Second World. It would be unusual to assign a career aviator to a destroyer as a CO, but it is entirely possible he had significant prior experience in the surface warfare community before becoming a flyboy. Ernie King was an extremely experienced ship handler himself, and son in law or not, he wouldn't knowingly assign command of a warship to someone who wasn't at least nominally qualified for the job. The only caveat I would offer is that this command tour would occur after Heydrich had already been a CAG, and not before. It would be the very last step on the ladder before they hand you the keys to an aircraft carrier!
He might not be on flight status yet. They would need a place to put him and having him do a command turn now instead of waiting until he is back on flight status to be the CAG makes sense to someone like King. It is also a way to have people from the black shoe navy evaluate him in a way that can be done without having him be in charge a a larger ship and the ability to command a surface ship that might be more suitable for his talents. Remember most of the Carrier admiral like King and Halsey did not start out as aviators and transferred into aviation by doing their stint and getting their wings . King's first command before he went into aviation was also a Destroyer, then onto submarines and then Adm Moffett asked him to join the aviation branch.
I am surprised that it wasn't the D. of the Navy that handled naval MoH.
Guess we are going down the Slot.
Also are you going for the same boatload of Battle Stars as OTL.
And could you enlighten us why the pendant number changed by ten compared to OTL.
Not necessarily. RAdm Dan Gallery's first command was the naval air station in Iceland. From there he went straight to command of USS Guadalcanal, a CVE.
Admiral Arthur Radford's first two commands were naval air stations (Seattle and Trinidad). In December 1941, he took charge of the Navy's Aviation Training Division, which expanded enormously in 1942. In 1943, he became commander of Carrier Division 11 in the Pacific Fleet. Later he served as Deupty CNO, commander of TG 38, Vice CNO, CinCPac, and Chairman of the JCS.
“Cactus Striking Force”, Tulagi, January 26, 1943
“Cactus Striking Force”, Tulagi, January 26, 1943
Captain Heydrich and the Nicholas had a vigorous war, conducting bombardments on various occupied places of the Solomon Islands. Then the order came.
He handed over command to his X.O. and caught a Catalina for Honolulu. After a tour of the repairs of the damage from the Pearl Harbor attack, he met with Admiral Nimitz, who announced his promotion to Commander and his new assignment as Commander, Air Group of the air wing of the carrier Essex.
By the end of the month he was in command of Air Group 9. The workup was grueling, as CAG Heydrich set an example by flying every day, including Sundays, and insisted that his fighter, bomber, and torpedo pilots emulate him. Naval Aviators who disagreed were transferred to CVE’s.
The Essex began with an attack on the Marcus Islands in May. She then attacked Wake Island and conducted a raid on the Gilbert Islands. Heydrich had flown over Wake Island at very low height, and strafed the occupying troops.
This led to a correspondent calling him “Send Me More Japs!” Heydrich. He appreciated the thought but not the expression. His performance was impressive, and he was relieved and promoted to Captain.
After a week’s leave, followed by a month’s unhappy consumption of rubber chicken and unidentifiable vegeables, Captain Heydrich finally got a new command. He would command the USS Wasp.
The shakedown was excruciating. Captain Heydrich reviewed the repair and refit program and sent long memoranda to Washington detailing the inadequacies of the dockyard personnel. Admiral Ingersoll of Tenth Fleet had to explain to him the need for skilled people ashore.
January 10, the Wasp sailed for the Pacific. She joined Admiral Montgomery’s task group and as part of the campaign, conducted air raids on Wake. Heydrich fretted at not being able to fly a raid himself.
Captain Heydrich and the Nicholas had a vigorous war, conducting bombardments on various occupied places of the Solomon Islands. Then the order came.
He handed over command to his X.O. and caught a Catalina for Honolulu. After a tour of the repairs of the damage from the Pearl Harbor attack, he met with Admiral Nimitz, who announced his promotion to Commander and his new assignment as Commander, Air Group of the air wing of the carrier Essex.
By the end of the month he was in command of Air Group 9. The workup was grueling, as CAG Heydrich set an example by flying every day, including Sundays, and insisted that his fighter, bomber, and torpedo pilots emulate him. Naval Aviators who disagreed were transferred to CVE’s.
The Essex began with an attack on the Marcus Islands in May. She then attacked Wake Island and conducted a raid on the Gilbert Islands. Heydrich had flown over Wake Island at very low height, and strafed the occupying troops.
This led to a correspondent calling him “Send Me More Japs!” Heydrich. He appreciated the thought but not the expression. His performance was impressive, and he was relieved and promoted to Captain.
After a week’s leave, followed by a month’s unhappy consumption of rubber chicken and unidentifiable vegeables, Captain Heydrich finally got a new command. He would command the USS Wasp.
The shakedown was excruciating. Captain Heydrich reviewed the repair and refit program and sent long memoranda to Washington detailing the inadequacies of the dockyard personnel. Admiral Ingersoll of Tenth Fleet had to explain to him the need for skilled people ashore.
January 10, the Wasp sailed for the Pacific. She joined Admiral Montgomery’s task group and as part of the campaign, conducted air raids on Wake. Heydrich fretted at not being able to fly a raid himself.
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USS Wasp. Task Group 38.1, October 23, 1944
USS Wasp, Task Group 38.1, October 23, 1944
“Sir, we should head for the Philippines. The submarine reports say that the Japanese battleship force is headed for Sibuyan Strait.”
Admiral McCain seemed dubious at first, but Captain Heydrich finally persuaded him, and the group headed back towards the Philippines. The next day, there was word of the attack on the Japanese Center Force. At sundown, the reconnaissance plane Heydrich had sent out reported the staggering news that the Japanese had reversed their withdrawal and were headed for the strait again. McCain put on speed and sent a message to Admiral Halsey with the news.
Halsey evidently decided to divide his forces. Task Group 38.3 headed north with the two faster battleships, while Task Groups 38.2 and 38.4 joined McCain.
The subsequent battles were a slaughterhouse. The carrier planes damaged the Yamato and sank the Haruna and two heavy cruisers. Admiral Lee with TF 34.2 was waiting at the opening of the strait and deluged the Japanese ships, finishing the sinking of the Yamato and sinking the other two surviving battleships, the Nagato and the Kongo.
Halsey destroyed the Japanese carrier force, such as it was, sinking the Zuikaku, last survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack force, and the remaining Japanese carriers.
Captain Heydrich ordered a final strike on the remnants of the Center Force, sinking all the large ships. The carrier attack of TG 38.1 was augmented by the escort carriers, which provided fighter cover.
TG 38.1 then withdrew for refueling. Two groups of TF 38 remained off Leyte to provide extra air support.
“Sir, we should head for the Philippines. The submarine reports say that the Japanese battleship force is headed for Sibuyan Strait.”
Admiral McCain seemed dubious at first, but Captain Heydrich finally persuaded him, and the group headed back towards the Philippines. The next day, there was word of the attack on the Japanese Center Force. At sundown, the reconnaissance plane Heydrich had sent out reported the staggering news that the Japanese had reversed their withdrawal and were headed for the strait again. McCain put on speed and sent a message to Admiral Halsey with the news.
Halsey evidently decided to divide his forces. Task Group 38.3 headed north with the two faster battleships, while Task Groups 38.2 and 38.4 joined McCain.
The subsequent battles were a slaughterhouse. The carrier planes damaged the Yamato and sank the Haruna and two heavy cruisers. Admiral Lee with TF 34.2 was waiting at the opening of the strait and deluged the Japanese ships, finishing the sinking of the Yamato and sinking the other two surviving battleships, the Nagato and the Kongo.
Halsey destroyed the Japanese carrier force, such as it was, sinking the Zuikaku, last survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack force, and the remaining Japanese carriers.
Captain Heydrich ordered a final strike on the remnants of the Center Force, sinking all the large ships. The carrier attack of TG 38.1 was augmented by the escort carriers, which provided fighter cover.
TG 38.1 then withdrew for refueling. Two groups of TF 38 remained off Leyte to provide extra air support.
It looks really well done. and no battle off Samar. And the battleships get one last hurrah as well as potentially a post war use as an escort vessel. We might see the last two Iowa's completed ITTL.
Pentagon, Alexandria, Virginia, May 15, 1948
Pentagon, Alexandria, Virginia, May 15, 1948
Captain Heydrich fretted. He was a man of action, not a staff clerk. He had sent in a proposal for the organization of the new Central Intelligence Agency. They had ignored him.
Now, he was furious. The Jews had established a country, and the United States had recognized it. This forfeited the good will of the Arab countries, and endangered the security and resources of the country. Captain Heydrich began looking for an assignment to Sixth Task Fleet, in the Mediterranean. After a review of his performance, he was assigned as Commander Destroyer Squadron 67.
DesRon 67 aggressively patrolled off the course of the Levant. The destroyers stopped Israeli-flagged ships and searched them for contraband. They also inspected other ships. One destroyer stopped a ship with parts for Messerschmidt fighters, and under interrogation a cargo officer admitted that they were for the Israelis. Captain Heydrich declared them contraband and had them jettisoned over the side.
Meeting with other officers, he repeated his assertion that the United States had damaged its relations with the Arab countries. “Egypt can control the Suez Canal. The countries of the Arabian Gulf can provide petroleum at a low price, and having it raised would damage the economy.”
His promotion to Rear Admiral (lower half) may have been to get him away from the Sixth Fleet. He was given command of Task Force 77 with USS Boxer. The force exercised off the California coast, with the admiral himself occasionally flying in practice raids. In 1950 Heydrich was promoted to Rear Admiral (upper half).
Then the Korean War broke out. Task Force 77 was sent to Korea, where the Boxer and the Valley Forge carried out airstrikes against the advancing North Korean troops. The carriers provided support for Operation CHROMITE, the landings at Inchon, and General MacArthur commended Admiral Heydrich for his performance.
Captain Heydrich fretted. He was a man of action, not a staff clerk. He had sent in a proposal for the organization of the new Central Intelligence Agency. They had ignored him.
Now, he was furious. The Jews had established a country, and the United States had recognized it. This forfeited the good will of the Arab countries, and endangered the security and resources of the country. Captain Heydrich began looking for an assignment to Sixth Task Fleet, in the Mediterranean. After a review of his performance, he was assigned as Commander Destroyer Squadron 67.
DesRon 67 aggressively patrolled off the course of the Levant. The destroyers stopped Israeli-flagged ships and searched them for contraband. They also inspected other ships. One destroyer stopped a ship with parts for Messerschmidt fighters, and under interrogation a cargo officer admitted that they were for the Israelis. Captain Heydrich declared them contraband and had them jettisoned over the side.
Meeting with other officers, he repeated his assertion that the United States had damaged its relations with the Arab countries. “Egypt can control the Suez Canal. The countries of the Arabian Gulf can provide petroleum at a low price, and having it raised would damage the economy.”
His promotion to Rear Admiral (lower half) may have been to get him away from the Sixth Fleet. He was given command of Task Force 77 with USS Boxer. The force exercised off the California coast, with the admiral himself occasionally flying in practice raids. In 1950 Heydrich was promoted to Rear Admiral (upper half).
Then the Korean War broke out. Task Force 77 was sent to Korea, where the Boxer and the Valley Forge carried out airstrikes against the advancing North Korean troops. The carriers provided support for Operation CHROMITE, the landings at Inchon, and General MacArthur commended Admiral Heydrich for his performance.