US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

Naval Aviation, 1932-1940 129
standing contributions Admiral Turner had made to the course of instruction.2
1
TO STAY OR NOT TO STAY IN AVIATION
Captain Turner was aware of the fact that he had trod on many toes in
getting his fellow aviators “up on the step” and in line abreast with the
seagoing capabilities of the rest of the general Line officers during his duty in
the Saratoga and on Aircraft Battle Force Staff. He had never been a popularity
hound and never intended to be one, but he was keenly aware of
criticism, even when he refused to let it temper his actions. He was aware
that on a Flag Selection Board, the opinions of the naval aviator members
carried great weight with the non-aviator as to which naval aviators should
or should not be selected.zz
He also longed to get back to a ship where guns were the first order of
importance and not the last. He also thought that if he had a large non-
aviation combatant command, he would be a better Flag officer if he should
be selected and later have a command in the top echelons of the Navy. He
looked at the Navy List and saw that Captain Patrick N. L. Bellinger, Naval
Aviator Number 18, was just two numbers senior to him, Newton H. White,
a designated naval aviator since 1919 only one number senior to him,
and Albert C. Read, Naval Aviator Number 24, not too much further up
the Navy List. A Johnny-come-lately naval aviator might not fare too well
in that competition. So he made up his mind to seek a non-aviation detail
on his next sea cruise, as indicated in the following correspondence:
DEAR TURNER:
NAVY DEPARTMENT
BUREAU OF AERONAUTICS
Wtibington, 31 A~~gust1936.
In connection with preparation of the Captain’s slate for several years in
the future, I would like to recommend to the Bureau of Navigation that you
remain on your present duty until about June 1938. The WuJ~ should be
completed in the Fall of 1938 and it is my present intention to recommend
you for command. However, it appears practicable to assign you to the ILmger
in June ‘38 if that would be preferable from your standpoint. Please advise
me which assignment would be most agreeable to you.
n Interview with Admiral John Leslie Hall, USN (Ret.), 2–3 Nov. 1961.
= Richardson.