Damn the Torpedoes! Burke made reputation with high-speed tactics

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Subject: Burke made reputation with high-speed tactic

 
Damn the Torpedoes!

Burke made reputation with high-speed tactics

By Robert F. Dorr
Special to Navy Times
28 November 2005


Adm. Arleigh Albert Burke was the Navy’s most famous destroyer commander of World War II and will forever be associated with fast, flexible warship operations. He finished his career by becoming, at age 53, the youngest chief of naval operations.

Born in Colorado in 1901, Burke graduated from the Naval Academy in 1923. During the next 20 years, he was executive officer of the destroyer Craven (DD-70) and commander of the destroyer Mugford (DD-105), among other duties. On the Mugford, he proved that he was a superb mentor: The ship won the Destroyer Gunnery Trophy in 1939.But Burke’s real value to the Navy was as a technical expert.

After graduate work in chemical engineering and explosives, Burke served with the Bureau of Ordnance from 1935 to 1937. From 1940 to 1943, he was an ordnance inspector at the Washington Navy Yard.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Burke sought a command at sea.  In March 1943, he took charge of Destroyer Division 43 and, shortly thereafter, his ships sank a Japanese destroyer near the Solomon Islands.

Soon, Burke commanded Destroyer Squadron 23, and forged a reputation as a fine destroyer tactician.

In the Solomon Islands campaign, Burke’s squadron fought in 22 actions and destroyed one Japanese cruiser, nine destroyers and one submarine. Adm. William F. Halsey, impressed with Burke’s high-speed tactics, gave him the nickname “31-Knot.”

In March 1944, Burke became chief of staff to Vice Adm. Marc A. Mitscher and Fast Carrier Task Force 58.

He oversaw the battles at Leyte Gulf and Okinawa, two of the largest naval engagements ever fought. When World War II ended, Burke had 31 months of combat at sea. After more ordnance work in Washington, he served as chief of staff of Atlantic Fleet and, in 1949, he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

While in that job, Burke emerged as an outspoken critic of the Air Force’s plan to build the B-36 intercontinental bomber. Burke, who believed the Air Force plan would deprive naval aviation of resources, argued forcefully that funds should instead be spent on a new fleet of large aircraft carriers.

Burke’s participation in the “admirals’ revolt” did not harm his career.

He was promoted to rear admiral in July 1950 and given command of Cruiser Division 5 during the Korean War. President Eisenhower tapped him to be chief of naval operations in 1955.

During his tenure, Burke embraced new technologies for the Navy, including nuclear propulsion for surface ships and submarines and the Polaris missile system.

He oversaw the Navy’s Cold War engagements, including amphibious landings in Lebanon in 1958.

Burke retired in 1961. While he was alive, the Navy named a new class of guided-missile destroyers after him. Burke died on New Year’s Day 1996 at age 94.

Robert F. Dorr, an Air Force veteran, lives in Oakton, Va.

He is the author of “Chopper,” a history of helicopter pilots.