Naval History and Heritage Command

9^th Chief of Naval Operations; 26 March 1942 – 15 December 1945

Appointed Commander In Chief, U.S. Fleet (CINCUS), in December 1941, as the United States went to war in two oceans, President Roosevelt decided that for efficiency of operations, he preferred to have one officer serve as CNO and CINCUS.  The CINCUS was given operational command of all Navy fleets and forces.    As Commander In Chief, Atlantic Fleet, King had stated his philosophy, “We will make the best of what we have.”