(neos a series of changes in the Navy high command, Honolulu, Feb. 2.
Rear-Admiral Husband E. Kimmel yesterday became Commander-in-Chief of the United States Fleet, with the rank of Admiral.
In a brief, nationally-broadcast ceremony, which lacked the pomp and glitter usually attending a transfer of the Fleet Command, Admiral Kimmel relieved Admiral James O. Richardson as Commander-in-Chief of the United States Fleet before high-ranking naval officers assembled on the quarter-deck of the flagship U.S.S. Pennsylvania in Pearl Harbour.
Admiral Kimmel was piped aboard the Pennsylvania shortly after 10 am. to be greeted by Admiral Richardson. Together, they proceeded to the quarter-deck, where the various flag officers of the Fleet were assembled with Admiral Richardson's staff and Admiral Kimmel's newly-appointed staff.
Standing beside an aeroplane cata-poult beneath six shiny 14-inch guns, Admiral Richardson read the orders relieving him of command of the Fleet. ordered his flag lowered and made his brief speech.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.