Edward J. Noble of its two radio networks, he founded the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) when he purchased the Blue Network (formerly part of NBC) on October 12, 1943. He tried to build ABC into an innovative and competitive broadcaster, but was hampered by financial problems and the pressure of competing with long-established NBC and CBS. By 1951, he entered negotiations to merge the network with United Paramount Theaters, headed by Leonard Goldenson; Goldenson became chairman of the ABC network, while Noble sat on its board of directors for the rest of his life. Noble, 76, died at his home on December 28,
USS Edward J. McKeever Jr. (SP-684) M. F. Johnson in command. Assigned to the 4th Naval District, "Edward J. McKeever Jr." performed patrol, minesweeping, towing, and transport duties for the rest of World War I. On 21 May 1919, "Edward J. McKeever Jr." was decommissioned and sold to the Wilcox Fertilizer Company of Mystic, Connecticut. USS Edward J. McKeever Jr. (SP-684) USS "Edward J. McKeever Jr." (SP-684) was a United States Navy patrol vessel and minesweeper in commission from 1917 to 1919. "Edward J. McKeever Jr." was built as a commercial fishing vessel of the same name by Robert Palmer & Sons at Noank, Connecticut, in