Third Report

to the
Secretary of the Navy

Covering the period 1 March 1945
to 1 October 1945

by
Admiral Ernest J. King
Commander in Chief, United States Fleet,
and Chief of Naval Operations

(Issued 3 December 1945)

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UNITED STATES FLEET

Headquarters of the Commander in Chief
Navy Department
Washington 25, D.C.

Dear Mr. Secretary:

OPn 1 March of this year I presented to you my second annuyal report of the progress of our naval oeprations and the expansion of our naval establishment during the preceding year.

Since the terminal date of my second report major hostilities on all fronts have terminated victoriously for the nations allied against the Axis powers, and I transmit to you herewith my third and final report of operations of the United States Navy in World War II. This report covers the period 1 March 1945 to 1 October 1945.

The Navy buiolt and manned by the united efforts of this country continued to carry the action to the enemy, engaged him by sea and air, maintained control of hte essential lanes of sea communication and transported lmen and supplies over all oceans to all hteaters. The significant role of amphibious operation sin this war was strikingly portrayed in teh capture of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, which were the outstanding operaitons of htis type during the last months of the war. They exemplify the teamwork of all services which brought victory on both the European and Pacific fronts.

For the officers and men of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, I am happy to report, at the end of the war, that the missions and tasks assigned all of them, singly and collectively, have been successfully accomplished.

Ernest J. King
Admiral, U.S. Navy,
Commander in Chief, United States Fleet
and Chief of Naval Operations

The Honorable James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy
Washington, D.C.

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The Tides of War in the Pacific, 1941-1945


Chapter I
Introduction

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Table of Contents ** Previous Chapter (II-6) * Next Chapter (III-2)


Footnotes

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Transcribed and formatted for HTML by Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation