US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

66 Amphibians Came To Conquer
any question, His judgment is extraordinarily sound. Very tenacious of his
opinions. Which at times takes the appearance of intolerance of the opinions
of others,
By the time three more months slid under the forefoot, Vice Admiral
McCully’s opinion had further hardened and he wrote:
Individual ability too strong to make a good subordinate. With increased
rank and experience this defect undoubtedly will disappear, as his intelligence
is of too high an order for him not to see its advantages.
As Fleet Gunnery Officer, and with the exception mentioned in [paragraph]
12, and which was aggravated perhaps by a similar defect in Commander
Scouting Fleet, his work could hardly be excelled. . . . In actual
war, he would be invaluable . . being thoroughly capable, resolute and
bold.
Since the Navy Regulations required that any fitness reports containing
unfavorable statements or marks be referred to the officer reported on, this
fitness report was referred officially to Turner for statement. On 25 August
1924, he brought his side of the controversy to a quick official demise by
endorsing the report: “I do not desire to make a statement.”
But to make sure that Lieutenant Commander Turner got the point, as
well as the fitness report, Vice Admiral McCully sat down and penned the
following personal letter:
26 July, 192.4.
At Sea
My DEARTURNER:
I am forwarding you a Fitness Report to which you may take exception.
However, I wish you to know that I never failed to appreciate your really
extraordinary qualities and consider it quite as much my fault as yours that we
could not hit it off better.
I am under many obligations to you for the fine work you did while with
us, and always felt that anything turned over to you would be most thoroughly
worked out, and that the essence of the result could not be improved on by
anyone. I shall remember particularly your assistance during the Battle of
Panama, and your remarks to me “You will never get a better chance at
them” in the morning of the 18th.
In case of war this would make me desire to have you with me again. You
may attach this letter to the Fitness Report
be advisable.
if you see fit, and I think it might
With kind regards, and a sincere affection.
Very faithfully yours,
N. A. MC CULLY.
Fortunately for Kelly Turner’s peace of mind, this last fitness report was