Admiral Crowe says

his farewells

Wearing a gift straw hat and ilima lei, Admiral William J.

Crowe, Jr. (left) bid a warm goodbye to members of the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council, the Navy League, the Japan-American Society, and the Association of the U.S.

Army at a Honolulu luncheon in August.

Crowe will shortly take over his new position as senior U.S. military leader, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Washington, DC. Looking back on his Pacific command, Admiral Crowe stated that the U.S. has made a major contribution to peace, progress and freedom in the Pacific through its military security umbrella across the Western Pacific. Crowe also credits U.S. influence for the “mushrooming of political maturity and progress” in the area. Although recognising “a number of clouds on the horizon”, notably the Philippines unrest, according to Crowe the number one short-term U.S. problem was increased Soviet strength. There was also New Zealand’s position on nuclear shipping, and trade problems with Japan. However, the Admiral was optimistic in his overall view of conditions in the Pacific region.

Admiral Ronald J. Hays will succeed Crowe as comman der of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Caroline Yacoe in Honolulu.