U.S. CHIEFS OF STAFF

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27669, 27 May 1955, Page 13

U.S. CHIEFS OF STAFF

Carney Dropped In Reshuffle

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 25. President Eisenhower reached far down the list today for a successor to Admiral Robert Carney, Chief of Naval Operations, who is the centre . a controversy over Communist China and the Formosa Strait. Mr Eisenhower nominated RearAdmiral Arleigh (“31-knot”) Burke tor the top Navy post. Admiral Burke was a storm centre in the “admirals’ revolt” of 1949 against emphasis being placed on the Air Force’s 836 bombers. In that controversy, Admiral Burke closely associated with Admiral Arthur Radford, who Mr Eisenhower today nominated for a new two-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The President completed a reshuffle of the military high command by naming General Nathan Twining for a second two-year term as Air Force Chief of Staff. Earlier in the month, Mr Eisenhower nominated General Maxwell Taylor to take over on July 1 from General Staff eW Rldgway as Arm y Chief of

General Ridgway, too, had been.in* volved in a controversy, disagreeing publicly with the Administration’s plans for a cut in the Army's strength.

His term would have expired in August with the other Joint Chiefs of Staffs, but he chose to request retirement on June 30.

Admiral Burke’s appointment will be effective on August 16. The White House denied, in answer to questions, that the controversy over what Admiral Carney did or did not say about the likelihood of an early Communist Chinese attack in the Formosa Strait had anything to do with his replacement. The Presidential press secretary, Mr James Hagerty, said Mr Eisenhower had praised Admiral Carney’s “distinguished and outstanding record.” Mr Hagerty said Admiral Carney was 60 and could not finish another twoyear term before he reached the normal retirement age. I Admiral Burke will take over His new post at a time when the .emphasis is on aircraft-carriers and submarines, but he is not a naval aviator. He is 53 and only a two-star admiral, ninetythird on the Navy’s list of line admirals. The new post carries full admiral rank.

Admiral Burke picked up the nickname “31-knot” as commander of a destroyer division. In a South Pacific night foray he dashed through a Japanese formation and left the enemy ships so confused that they fired on each other.