US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

302 Arnpbibians Came To Conquer
But there was no bitterness in the discussion. Plenty of opinions vigorously
expressed as to what or could be done.
One thing I remember particularity well and have been telling it ever since
the Battle of Savo Island. I said: ‘Now Kelly, you are making plans to take
that island from the Japs and the Japs may turn on you and wallop the hell
out of you. What are you going to do then?’ Kelly said: ‘I am just going
to stay there and take my licking.’
Kelly was tough, a brain, and a son-of-a-bitch, and that’s just what he did.”
Vice Admiral Fletcher’s appraisal of the logistical aspects of the conference
is borne out by Rear Admiral Callaghan’s notes. Fourteen of his
23 numbered paragraphs of notes were under the heading of “Logistics.”
In Admiral Ghormley’s “The Tide Turns” he states:
I was desirous of attending this conference, but found it impossible to give
the time necessary for travel with possible attendant delays. I, therefore, sent
my Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Callaghan and my Communication Officer,
Lieutenant Commander L. Hardy.”
There is always the possibility that had Vice Admiral Ghormley attended
the conference, he would have sided with the Commander of the Amphibious
Forces and overruled Vice Admiral Fletcher. But in view of Vice
Admiral Ghormley’s generally cautious approach to operational problems
and operational commanders, this does not seem a likely possibility. In fact
his absence from what should have been a “must” conference, dealing with
the first major naval offensive of the war, and the first in his command
area, is a straw in the wind of his stand-off approach to operations in the
South Pacific Area.
And Rear Admiral Turner did not appeal the decision. When asked
nearly 20 years after the event why he did not, his answer was:
Whom to, and who was I to do so? Fletcher was my old boss, and at that
moment the most battle experienced commander in our Navy. It was his judgment,
and it was my job to live with it. A4
Vice Admiral Fletcher had expected that Vice Admiral Ghormley would
be with him in his flagship Saratoga during the operation.” This was in
accordance with Admiral King’s expressed desires in his message of 022100
July 1942, which stated:
It is assumed Ghormley will be made Task Force Commander at least for
4’Interview with Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, USN (Ret.), 25 May 1963. Hereafter Fletcher.
e Ghormley manuscript, p. 64.
44Turner.
MFletcher,