The Adak Sun

ADM HOPWOOD RETIRES

The following message was received from Admiral Herbert G. HOPWOOD, U. S. Navy, Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet just prior to his retirement on 31 August 1960. "PERSONAL FROM ADMIRAL HOPWOOD TO ALL HANDS. TOMORROW (31 AUG 1960) I WILL RETIRE FROM THE ACTIVE LIST OF THE NAVY AND PASS COMMAND OF THE PACIFIC FLEET TO ADMIRAL JOHN H. SIDES. BEFORE DOING SO, HOWEVER, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO AND MY ADMIRATION OF ALL HANDS. IN THE FLEET.. TO THE PACIFIC FLEET FALLS THE TASK OF PROTECTING THE NATION FROM ATTACK · ACROSS THE PACIFIC. IT IS ALSO OUR TASK TO OFFER STRENGTH AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO OUR ASIAN ALLIES. THESE ARE RESPONSIBILITIES OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO ALL MANKIND. UPON THE EFFECTIVE DISCHARGE OF THESE DUTIES RESTS HISTORY'S VITAL DECISIONS: WILL MAN BE FREE OR WILL HE BE ENSLAVED BY YOUR DEDICATION TO DUTY AND SKILLFUL PERFORMANCE DURING THE TROUBLED YEARS SINCE WORLD WAR II, YOU HAVE STRENGTHENED FREEDOM'S CAUSE. I AM PROUD TO HAVE SERVED AS YOUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF. AND TO HAVE PARTICIPATED WITH YOU IN THE EXPLOITS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR MAGNIFICENT PACIFIC FLEET. NORTH AND SOUTH EAST AND WEST. WHEREVER THE FLEET HAS STEAMED, THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN MET. THE PROBLEM SOLVED: THE CAUSE OF PEACE HAS BEEN ADVANCED.

HOWEVER, THE JOB IS NOT DONE: A LOT OF WATER WILL PASS UNDER THE BRIDGE BEFORE WE CAN BE ASSURED OF CONTINUING PEACE WITH HONOR IN THE PACIFIC.

UNTIL THEN ALL HANDS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PURSUE THEIR TASKS WITH PROFESSIONAL SKILL, DILIGENCE, AND HEARTFELT DEDICATION. I KNOW THAT YOUR NEW COMMANDER IN CHIEF THE NAVY, AND THE NATION CAN DEPEND UPON YOU. I HERBERT G. HOPWOOD, ADMIRAL, U.S. NAVY, COMMANDER IN CHIEF, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET."