VOLUME 5 NUMBER 36
5 SEPTEMBER i960
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ADjV] 1JOPWOOD
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The following message was received from Admiral Herbert G. HOPWOOD, U. S.
Navy, Commander in Chief, H. S« Pacific Fleet just prior to his retirement on
31 August I960. "PERSONAL FROM ADMIRAL HOPWOOD TO ALL HANDS. TOMORROW (31 AUG
I960) 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 HISTCRYS VITAL DECISIONS:WILL MAN
BE FREE OR WILL HE BE ENSLAVED BY YOUR DEDICATION TO DUTY AND SKILLFUL PERFORM
ANCE DURING THE TROUBLED YEARS SINCE WORLD WAR II, YOU HAVE STRENGHTSNED FREE
DOMS CAUSE. I AM PROUD TO HAVE SERVED AS YOUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF, iiND 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 r THE>-*PROBLBM-SOLVED.j*^TMS. CAUSE-<)F. PEaCE-HaS .SEfiN-AaVANCEDv
HOWEVER, THE JOB"IS'NOT DONE:"A LOT OF WATER WILL PASS UNDER THE BRIDGE BE
FORE WE CAN BE ASSURED OF CONTINUING PE^CE 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. HERBERT G. HOPWOOD, ADMIRAL, U.S.
NAVY, COMMANDER IN CHIEF, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.
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