Robert Carney
Encyclopedia
Robert Bostwick Carney was an admiral
in the United States Navy
who served as commander-in-chief of the NATO forces in Southern Europe (1951–1953) and then as Chief of Naval Operations
(1953–1954) during the Eisenhower administration
.
, Carney graduated from the Naval Academy
in 1916. He served in World War I
, seeing combat against German
U-boat
s.
during the mid-1920s during de Steiguer's time in command of various battleship forces. Their relationship was not happy, mainly due to de Steiguer imperious manner described by Carney as "constant pressure, irascibility, criticism, and unpleasantness". Famously, Carney eventually marched into de Steiguer's cabin, snapped, "Admiral, I just want to tell you I think you are a goddamn rotten son of a bitch," and stormed out. After failing to retrieve Carney via Marine orderly, de Steiguer visited Carney's cabin in person, said, "Sonny, you've been working too hard. You and I are going ashore." Carney ultimately concluded that his three years with de Steiguer had been a valuable experience, but not one he would have chosen to repeat.
ese attack on Pearl Harbor
. From September 13, 1941, until April 1942, this Force, under its Commander, the Vice Admiral Arthur L. Bristol, Jr., established the remarkable record of escorting over 2,600 ships on the ocean lanes with a loss of only six ships.
From October 15, 1942, until July, 1943, he commanded the cruiser
USS Denver
in the Pacific Theater, and was twice decorated for engagements in the Solomon Islands
campaign. He earned the Bronze Star
with Combat "V" for meritorious service as Commanding Officer of Denver, attached to a task group of Admiral William Halsey's Third Fleet, during operations against the enemy Japanese-held Islands of Kolombangara
, Shortland
, and Bougainville
, in the Solomon area, the night of July 26, 1943. Proceeding through unfamiliar waters, he took advantage of adverse weather to lay a large quantity of explosive mines along sea lanes extensively used by the enemy and, in addition, delivered a smashing naval bombardment against Japanese shore installations on these islands.
On July 29, 1943, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and became Chief of Staff to Admiral Halsey, commander, South Pacific Force, which included all ground, sea, and air forces in the South Pacific area. Carney later wrote that "Admiral Halsey unfailingly gave credit to his subordinates for successes achieved, and took all blame for failures on his own shoulders."
While in this assignment, Rear Admiral Carney was awarded his second Distinguished Service Medal
for contributions which he made in the field of over-all strategy and the organizing of the logistic support of the Allied Forces in the South Pacific, the citation stating, in part:
When Admiral Halsey assumed command of the Third Fleet in the Central Pacific in June, 1944, Rear Admiral Carney accompanied him as Chief of Staff. He took part in the amphibious invasions of Palau
and Lingayen
, the naval Battle of Leyte Gulf
. Here he famously confronted the admiral when he was taken in a fit of rage. During Halsey's run to the north in tracking down the Japanese carriers, he received numerous calls from Admiral Kinkaid's Seventh Fleet, whose escort carriers were under attack from a Japanese battlegroup of battleships, cruisers and destroyers. Then, shortly after 10:00 hours, an anxious message was received from Admiral Nimitz: "Where is repeat where is Task Force 34? The world wonders". The tail end of this message, The world wonders
, was intended as padding designed to confuse enemy decoders, but was mistakenly left in the message when it was handed to Halsey. The inquiry appeared to be a rebuke. The fiery Halsey threw his hat on the deck of the bridge and began cursing. Finally Carney confronted him, telling Halsey "Stop it! What the hell's the matter with you? Pull yourself together." Halsey regained his composure, and later turned the fleet south to support Seventh Fleet.
Later, Carney continued to assist Halsey as Chief of Staff during his operations in the Okinawa campaign and the carrier air raids against Japanese air fields in Vietnam and Formosa
in the South China Sea
. In 1945 Third Fleet was striking targets in the Japanese homeland itself, launching attacks on Tokyo, the naval base at Kure
and the northern Japanese island of Hokkaidō
, as well as the bombardments of a number of Japanese coastal cities
in preparation for an invasion of Japan, which ultimately never had to be undertaken.
Rear Admiral Carney arranged with Japanese emissaries for the entry of the Third Fleet into Tokyo Bay
, accepted the surrender of Yokosuka Naval Base
and surrounding area from Vice Admiral Michitaro Totsuka
of the Imperial Japanese Navy
, and attended the ceremony for the surrender of Japan
held on board Admiral Halsey's flagship, the battleship USS Missouri
.
From 1951 to 1953, Carney served as commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces in Southern Europe, where he was responsible for the fleets of five countries and the armed forces of Italy, Greece and Turkey.
On May 13, 1953, President Eisenhower
announced his selection of Admiral Carney as the next Chief of Naval Operations. On completion of his appointment as Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Carney retired from active service.
Over the next several years, Admiral Carney’s various assignments, coupled with his personal interest in industrial participation in the defense effort, resulted in close contact with industry including the position of Chairman of the Board, Bath Iron Works
, Corporation.
Service Medals
Admiral Carney also held decorations from twelve foreign countries, many including highest military recognition.
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
who served as commander-in-chief of the NATO forces in Southern Europe (1951–1953) and then as Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
(1953–1954) during the Eisenhower administration
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
.
Early years
Born in Vallejo, CaliforniaVallejo, California
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay...
, Carney graduated from the Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1916. He served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, seeing combat against German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
U-boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
s.
Between wars
Carney served as Flag Secretary to Admiral Louis R. de SteiguerLouis R. de Steiguer
Admiral Louis Rodolph de Steiguer was an officer in the U.S. Navy. He was Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Battle Fleet from 1927 to 1928.-Early career:...
during the mid-1920s during de Steiguer's time in command of various battleship forces. Their relationship was not happy, mainly due to de Steiguer imperious manner described by Carney as "constant pressure, irascibility, criticism, and unpleasantness". Famously, Carney eventually marched into de Steiguer's cabin, snapped, "Admiral, I just want to tell you I think you are a goddamn rotten son of a bitch," and stormed out. After failing to retrieve Carney via Marine orderly, de Steiguer visited Carney's cabin in person, said, "Sonny, you've been working too hard. You and I are going ashore." Carney ultimately concluded that his three years with de Steiguer had been a valuable experience, but not one he would have chosen to repeat.
World War II
In February 1941, then Commander, Carney was recalled from duty in the Pacific Fleet to assist in organizing, equipping, and training of a special Surface-Air Force, having as its mission the protection of shipping against submarine and air attack. This force became fully involved in convoy escort prior to the JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
. From September 13, 1941, until April 1942, this Force, under its Commander, the Vice Admiral Arthur L. Bristol, Jr., established the remarkable record of escorting over 2,600 ships on the ocean lanes with a loss of only six ships.
From October 15, 1942, until July, 1943, he commanded the cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
USS Denver
USS Denver (CL-58)
USS Denver was a Cleveland-class light cruiser. Denver launched on 4 April 1942 by New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.; sponsored by Miss L. J. Stapleton, daughter of the Mayor of Denver; and commissioned on 15 October 1942, Captain Robert Carney in command...
in the Pacific Theater, and was twice decorated for engagements in the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
campaign. He earned the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Combat "V" for meritorious service as Commanding Officer of Denver, attached to a task group of Admiral William Halsey's Third Fleet, during operations against the enemy Japanese-held Islands of Kolombangara
Kolombangara
Kolombangara is an island in the New Georgia Islands group of the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean...
, Shortland
Shortland
-Geography:* Shortland Island* Shortland Islands* Shortlands, a ward of the London Borough of Bromley* Shortland, New South Wales* Shortland's Bluff, an old name for Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia-People:...
, and Bougainville
Bougainville Island
Bougainville Island is the main island of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea. This region is also known as Bougainville Province or the North Solomons. The population of the province is 175,160 , which includes the adjacent island of Buka and assorted outlying islands...
, in the Solomon area, the night of July 26, 1943. Proceeding through unfamiliar waters, he took advantage of adverse weather to lay a large quantity of explosive mines along sea lanes extensively used by the enemy and, in addition, delivered a smashing naval bombardment against Japanese shore installations on these islands.
On July 29, 1943, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and became Chief of Staff to Admiral Halsey, commander, South Pacific Force, which included all ground, sea, and air forces in the South Pacific area. Carney later wrote that "Admiral Halsey unfailingly gave credit to his subordinates for successes achieved, and took all blame for failures on his own shoulders."
While in this assignment, Rear Admiral Carney was awarded his second Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
for contributions which he made in the field of over-all strategy and the organizing of the logistic support of the Allied Forces in the South Pacific, the citation stating, in part:
"Displaying sound judgement and distinctive tactical ability, he conceived and correlated the many offensive operations carried out in the Solomon IslandsSolomon IslandsSolomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
and Bismarck ArchipelagoBismarck ArchipelagoThe Bismarck Archipelago is a group of islands off the northeastern coast of New Guinea in the western Pacific Ocean and is part of the Islands Region of Papua New Guinea.-History:...
areas. Through his comprehensive knowledge of logistics and his expert planning, he enabled our Forces to exert their greatest strength against the enemy and administer a series of crushing defeats on the Japanese."
When Admiral Halsey assumed command of the Third Fleet in the Central Pacific in June, 1944, Rear Admiral Carney accompanied him as Chief of Staff. He took part in the amphibious invasions of Palau
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
and Lingayen
Invasion of Lingayen Gulf
The Liberation of Lingayen Gulf was an Allied amphibious operation in the Philippines during World War II. In the early morning of 9 January 1945, an Allied force commanded by Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf began approaching the shores of Lingayen. U.S...
, the naval Battle of Leyte Gulf
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly known as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.It was fought in waters...
. Here he famously confronted the admiral when he was taken in a fit of rage. During Halsey's run to the north in tracking down the Japanese carriers, he received numerous calls from Admiral Kinkaid's Seventh Fleet, whose escort carriers were under attack from a Japanese battlegroup of battleships, cruisers and destroyers. Then, shortly after 10:00 hours, an anxious message was received from Admiral Nimitz: "Where is repeat where is Task Force 34? The world wonders". The tail end of this message, The world wonders
The world wonders
"The world wonders" was a phrase used as security padding in an encrypted message sent from Admiral Chester Nimitz to Admiral William Halsey, Jr. on October 25, 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf...
, was intended as padding designed to confuse enemy decoders, but was mistakenly left in the message when it was handed to Halsey. The inquiry appeared to be a rebuke. The fiery Halsey threw his hat on the deck of the bridge and began cursing. Finally Carney confronted him, telling Halsey "Stop it! What the hell's the matter with you? Pull yourself together." Halsey regained his composure, and later turned the fleet south to support Seventh Fleet.
Later, Carney continued to assist Halsey as Chief of Staff during his operations in the Okinawa campaign and the carrier air raids against Japanese air fields in Vietnam and Formosa
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
in the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
. In 1945 Third Fleet was striking targets in the Japanese homeland itself, launching attacks on Tokyo, the naval base at Kure
Bombing of Kure (July 1945)
The bombing of Kure and surrounding areas by United States and British naval aircraft in late July 1945 led to the sinking of most of the surviving large warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy . The United States Third Fleet's attacks on Kure Naval Arsenal and nearby ports on 24, 25, and 28 July...
and the northern Japanese island of Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, as well as the bombardments of a number of Japanese coastal cities
Allied naval bombardments of Japan during World War II
During the last weeks of World War II, warships of the United States Navy, Britain's Royal Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy bombarded several cities and industrial facilities in Japan. These bombardments caused heavy damage to several of the factories targeted, as well as nearby civilian areas...
in preparation for an invasion of Japan, which ultimately never had to be undertaken.
Rear Admiral Carney arranged with Japanese emissaries for the entry of the Third Fleet into Tokyo Bay
Tokyo Bay
is a bay in the southern Kantō region of Japan. Its old name was .-Geography:Tokyo Bay is surrounded by the Bōsō Peninsula to the east and the Miura Peninsula to the west. In a narrow sense, Tokyo Bay is the area north of the straight line formed by the on the Miura Peninsula on one end and on...
, accepted the surrender of Yokosuka Naval Base
United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka
U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, or Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka is a United States Navy base, in Yokosuka, Japan. Its mission is to maintain and operate base facilities for the logistic, recreational, administrative support and service of the U.S. Naval Forces Japan, U.S. 7th Fleet and...
and surrounding area from Vice Admiral Michitaro Totsuka
Michitaro Totsuka
-Notes:...
of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
, and attended the ceremony for the surrender of Japan
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
held on board Admiral Halsey's flagship, the battleship USS Missouri
USS Missouri (BB-63)
|USS Missouri is a United States Navy Iowa-class battleship, and was the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state of Missouri...
.
Post war
After the war, he was promoted to Vice Admiral in 1946, and until February 1950, served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations. Next he assumed command of the Second Fleet operating on the East Coast of the United States. On October 2, 1950, he was advanced in rank to Admiral.From 1951 to 1953, Carney served as commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces in Southern Europe, where he was responsible for the fleets of five countries and the armed forces of Italy, Greece and Turkey.
On May 13, 1953, President Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
announced his selection of Admiral Carney as the next Chief of Naval Operations. On completion of his appointment as Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Carney retired from active service.
Over the next several years, Admiral Carney’s various assignments, coupled with his personal interest in industrial participation in the defense effort, resulted in close contact with industry including the position of Chairman of the Board, Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works is a major American shipyard located on the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, United States. Since its founding in 1884 , BIW has built private, commercial and military vessels, most of which have been ordered by the United States Navy...
, Corporation.
Awards Received by Admiral Carney
Decorations
Navy CrossNavy CrossThe Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
Navy Distinguished Service MedalNavy Distinguished Service MedalThe Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
with three Gold Stars
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with Combat "V"
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Combat "V"
Service Medals
World War I Victory Medal, Destroyer Clasp (USS FanningUSS FanningThree ships in the United States Navy have been named USS Fanning for Nathaniel Fanning.* The first USS Fanning was a Paulding-class destroyer launched in 1910 and served in World War I. She served in the United States Coast Guard from 1924 to 1930...
)
American Defense Service MedalAmerican Defense Service MedalThe American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:...
, Fleet Clasp (USS CaliforniaUSS California (BB-44)USS California , a Tennessee-class battleship, was the fifth ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 31st state. Beginning as the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, she served in the Pacific her entire career. She was sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor at her moorings in Battleship Row,...
)
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign MedalEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign MedalThe European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with nine Battle Stars
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Stars.
Admiral Carney also held decorations from twelve foreign countries, many including highest military recognition.
Legacy
- USS Carney (DDG-64)USS Carney (DDG-64)USS Carney is 14th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. The ship is the first to be named after Admiral Robert Carney who served as Chief of Naval Operations during the Eisenhower administration. She was laid down 3 August 1993 at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. She was...
was named in his honor. - Carney ParkCarney ParkCarney Park is a United States military recreational facility located in the extinct volcano Campiglione, in the Phlegraean Fields near Naples, Italy. The site is located approximately west of Naples. It is named after Four Star Admiral Robert B...
was named after Admiral Carney.