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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

          54-1-1

54-1-1

              COPY.                   July 07117 RES <1918>

Origin:   Opnav Washington.                      8604

CS        17 July.

48 ADR

SECRET

Simsadus.

8604.     When I agreed to principle of the establishment [of] a Joint plan section in London, England I consented at the same time to send you immediately 2 officers who were undertaking planning work in Navy Department namely Captain Schofield and Captain Knox.1 Since that time there has been no planning section in the Department and the need of it is so great that any further delay in re-establishing it on broad lines and as a permanent part of this organization cannot be considered.

          I feel that in carrying this work along it is most necessary to keep the ideas developed in Europe and those developed here working along the same lines. I therefore desire to order Captain Yarnell2 from your office to Operations for duty with other Captains in this work and to replace him I propose sending you Captain McNamee3 who has continued planning with administration work in this office.

          I realize the importance of permanent personnel in your organization as well as in the Navy Department but I feel that the work of a planning section here is equally as essential to the success of your operations as to the success of any other work which we may undertake.

          This policy is in accordance with your own and my view regarding an interchanging of personnel. 19016. 8604.

BENSON.

Source Note: Cy, DLC-MSS, William Sims Papers, Box 24.

Footnote 2: Henry E. Yarnell.

Footnote 3: Luke McNamee.

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