SERVICING U.S. FLEET

Grey River Argus, 27 November 1942, Page 1

SERVICING U.S. FLEET

Admiral Calhoun's Job AUCKLAND, Nov. 25. Vice Admiral William Lowndes Calhoun. U.S.N., has been in NewZealand during a visit’ to the South Pacific area as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Service Force. His task is to provide everything needed to keep the Naw running everywhere in the Pacific. Although his >v-isi t~-to:-riNew' --Zea 1 and-’- 1 -was ■ -cranimeti full of duty, Admiral Calhoun found time to meet civic as well as service chiefs, and to attend the Requiem Mass held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Auckland, for the repose of the soul of Rear-Admiral Daniel Callaghan, U.S.N., who was killed in action in the Solomons. Admiral Calhoun’s job is tremendous. He is responsible ior the maintenance- of all ships at every advance base. He has to attend" to the repair and alteration of damaged ships, airfields, hangars, oil tanks, barracks and docks; he has to anticipate repairs and replacements and to be ready to provide them every time a task force returns to port; he has to deliver all equipment invasion forces may need. Other duties are the delivery of mail everywhere in thp Pacific to Fleet and Marine Corps units, the refuelling and re-supplying of ships at sea, the provision of hospital ships during every action to take serious cases from warships and sick bays, and the establishment of complete hospitals ashore. He also heads the organisation which places police forces to maintain order in any captured hostile territory.

After graduating from the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Admiral Calhoun during the last war became a sub-base commander at Coco Solo in the .Canal Zone. Admiral Calhoun is credited with having everything not only under control but at his fin-ger-tips. He keeps his own index of Navy tankers, and knows any minute "where every one is. No man is said to dare ieli him the job is done if it has not been done, although it is possible that half an hour after detecting an offender Admiral Calhoun has him out to lunch. He does not drink or smoke, and lives on an athlete’s diet of pl(iin food. Every day he is said to be out for a walk, and every Sunday, except on December 7 last, to be in church.

USE BY AMERICANS. AUCKLAND INSTITUTION. AUCKLAND, Nov. 26. Arrangements have been concluded between the Auckland Provincial Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society for the lease of the Evelyn Firth Home to the American Red Cross. It is intended that the home should be used for the recuperative treatment of certain officers who have been on operations in the Pacific. Possession was taken to-day. The chairman of the Auckland Provincial Joint Council, Sir Ernest Davis, said yesterday that the home wks to be leased to the American Red Cross for six months, and termination would be subject to one month’s notice at the end of that time. , To safeguard returning New Zealand servicemen eligible for admission to the Evelyn Firth Home, said Sir Ernest, the Joint Council was acqu/.ring a iregjstered hospital at Mount Eden, which would be capable of meeting the estimated New Zealand requirements within the ensuing s ; x months.