Bygones

From the White House last week came news that cheered the U.S. Navy: the name of Captain Arleigh ("31-Knot") Burke was on the list of 23 naval officers nominated for promotions to rear admiral.

It was proof that bygones were bygones, for it was battle-seasoned Captain Burke who ran Operation 23, propaganda center of the Navy's unsuccessful revolt against Defense Secretary Louis Johnson and the 6-36. His name had been scratched off the promotion list a month ago--reportedly by Louis Johnson. That it got back on was a victory for Admiral Forrest Sherman, the new Chief of Naval Operations.

Arleigh Burke's promotion was deserved; it was also wise. It firmed the revolters' increasing respect for "Fuzz" Sherman, who had been moved in over them to put the Navy back on an even keel. "This is a dark day for the Navy," one rebel had said when Sherman was appointed. Last week the same officer jerked his thumb in the direction of Sherman's office in the Pentagon, said: "That guy is going to town. The Navy hasn't seen anything like him in a long time."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.