Jameson nodded and walked out of the office under the glare of Lieutenant Commander Beck who had no idea what happened in the admiral’s office, but if it involved Jameson and his little team, he was not a happy man. He would love to get Lieutenant Brand into some trouble. He relished the idea of showing how smart he was and the best way to do this would be to discredit King’s boy genius.
32
3 May 1942
Captain Jameson’s House
Bethesda, Maryland
• Submarine Spearfish (SS-190) evacuates 25 military personnel from Corregidor, Philippines.
• Solomon Islands--Small Japanese force invades Tulagi, which is soon converted into a seaplane base. Learning of this, Rear Adm. Frank J. Fletcher, commanding naval force cruising the Coral Sea, heads for Tulagi in carrier Yorktown.
The gunny had finished attacking the lack of mental dexterity of Corporal Dillard for packing extra ammunition in the wrong case when he noticed Corporal Dean placing extra clips for the Thompsons in a duffel bag.
“What the hell are you doing, Dean; packing something for your mother? Don’t you know by now extra clips, empty or not, go in the metal ammo boxes with the big letters that say .45 Caliber Ammunition?” The gunny swore some unholy allegiances to the devil over this latest screw up by what he thought were experienced Marines, but he now had his doubts.
“Gee, Gunny, Captain told me to put some of the extra magazines in my duffel just in case we needed them and couldn’t get to the boxes.”
Corporal Dean looked like a confused man with two bosses. He was right, but this was the Marines, and gunnery sergeants know better than Marine captains. The gunny was going to win this small skirmish, but he looked at the confused corporal and said, “I’ll talk to Captain Flannigan and tell him what I told you to do. That way it’s my problem, not yours, okay?”
The corporal said, “Fine with me, Gunny. Now, what do you want me to check on next?”
“Go over to Chief Schmidt and see if you can help him. He seems to have bought out an appliance store or something. I don’t understand all the boxes of tubes and wires, but there must be a ton of it. Get going; we only have a few hours before the trucks come.” He turned around to find Corporal Dillard struggling with ammo boxes and said loudly to both, “And make sure you have your papers set up. Give them to Sergeant Laird before we leave for the airport. Don’t you dare screw up this movement.”
Both men quickly agreed, and the gunny left to find the captain or the doctor to see what else needed to go. As he walked into the kitchen, he was taken aback by two navy officers speaking with Captain Jameson. He quickly came to attention and said, “Sorry to intrude, Captain, but I was wondering if there were any other boxes we need to take with us on this movement.” He knew where they were going, but also knew well enough not to utter the location to those without proper clearance.
“I think we have everything we need, Gunny. Gentlemen let me introduce you to Gunnery Sergeant Jones, who keeps everything moving in the right direction. Gunny, this is Lieutenant Baker and Lieutenant Morris of Naval Intelligence.”
“Pleased to meet you, sirs. Is there anything I can help you with, Captain?”
“Well, you need to know that while we’re away, I have done a little favor for some admiral and ourselves. These two officers plus three more will be staying at our house until we return. They are cleared for most everything, so some of our files can stay here except the ones I had you transport yesterday. The navy will continue with the security arrangements, but they will not have a group of trained Marines to help them.”
“Gunny,” said Lieutenant Baker, the senior man, or so Gunny thought, “are there any concerns you have about our staying here in the captain’s wonderful house?”
The gunny knew when to be serious, so he charged ahead as a good Marine sergeant should.
“Sir, I can’t think of anything except the security files and papers left in the house. The FBI and Washington Police handle all outside security. We have had great cooperation with both since we moved in. The two ladies who run the house are loyal to the fault, and you will learn quickly from Missy Rains if you mess up anything or dare to put your feet on a chair. As long as you follow her orders, you will be fine, and you’ll eat extremely well.”
Jameson looked at the lieutenant and added, “The housekeeper, Missy Rains, has been with the family for several years and has taken a shine to the men in this command. I have explained the nature of your positions, and she will remain loyal to you as well. And I agree, do not put your feet on the couch. You thought a Marine gunnery sergeant had a bellowing voice, wait till you hear Missy Rains!”
Everyone laughed. Then the captain looked at the two young officers and repeated, “I’m serious, so just be gentlemen in the house, and you’ll live to see the sunrise.”
Both men had puzzled expressions. The gunny smiled knowing the captain had set the hook and was playing them. He thought having naval security people staying in the house would be much better than any other military personnel. This way the captain had a direct line through Admiral Willson to their commanding officers and the security of the building would be assured. There were few places in Washington for people to stay and the influx of new military and civilian workers grew each day turning the provincial town into a major world capital.
Jameson continued his tour with the officers. Gunny went searching for and found Flannigan in deep conversation with Doc and Mr. Brand. He walked up and asked a question.
“Sorry to bother you, Captain. We have almost everything ready to go except for the personal effects of the officers. Any other orders, sir?”
Flannigan looked at both other officers and back at the gunny saying, “Nothing else comes to mind, so we just need to wait for the trucks. While you’re here, Gunny, sit down and let me run through the movement orders so you can inform the men of the plan and when it will hopefully happen.”
The gunny sat down, and Flannigan began his briefing. “We should be out to the airport at 0600 in the morning. Gunny, you will verify everything put on the trucks goes into the airplane. I have heard from our old friend Shoemaker that we are using the admiral’s R4D and he will want to be off by 0700. We will fly to either St. Louis or Memphis, depending on headwinds and weather and refuel there. We will spend the night in either location then head off to San Francisco early the following morning. He does not anticipate any problems with the weather. The plane is in top-notch shape, so we should arrive at Alameda Naval Air Station by the evening of May 5. The next step is to wait for the plane to take us to Hawaii. We are scheduled to go on a Coronado, not configured for VIPs so it will be full of equipment and men. We’ll have top priority, so this shouldn’t be a problem for us. If things go well, we’ll fly off on May 6 and then land in Pearl the next day. We’re being assigned temporary housing upon arrival, but I’m not too sure where yet. Captain Jameson said one of Admiral Nimitz’s aides would meet us and have this sorted out. Any questions so far?”
Dr. Feldman jumped into the conversation first. “Any news on my assignment once we hit Pearl? Am I going to be put in a pup tent somewhere without female company or do I stay with you good people?”
Flannigan smiled at the thought of Doc lying in some pup tent in the sand being eaten by fleas and crabs, but quickly dropped the idea of arranging the scenario. “No, Doc, nothing yet but again, the admiral’s aide will have your arrangements organized.”
The gunny asked about the enlisted men. “Sir, any ideas on how we’re going to be billeted? I know Pearl well, but I don’t have a clue how things have changed since December 7.”
“No, Gunny, again nothing so far but I know Admiral Willson wants the same kind of arrangements for security that we had in Britain. Close and always there were his words, so we’ll follow orders.”
Brand now looked up from his constant scribbling of numbers and ideas. “Captain, do you know any more of what we are going to be doing or who we are working for?”
“James, we are going to work for Admiral Nimitz and his staff. That’s all I can tell you right now, but I’m sure once we are in Pearl, we’ll get you some answers.”
Brand smiled but said nothing, and instead looked down at a report on the newest version of the proximity fuse using a newly designed third stage amplifier which would provide a narrower frequency shift and improve accuracy. No one else at the table had any idea what he was doing. He needed to get this last check done so he could send his notes back to the people at Johns Hopkins for testing.
He knew all about the orders Captain Jameson had been issued. These would allow the team to do what it needed to without a lot of questions being raised. Unknown to Jameson, Brand had another set of orders which were given him a few days ago by Admiral Willson. These were signed by the president of the United States and would allow James to do whatever was needed to accomplish his mission. He hoped he never had to use them.
Several other questions and ideas were floating around, but nothing that was a real problem. The supplies were boxed, including copies of several secret reports James needed to take for further review or analysis. He was being bombarded with papers for peer review or studies of how manufacturing plants could be turned into war production facilities which could turn out the new weapons of war. All of this could wait, he thought as he envisioned his trip to Hawaii where this war had begun, some five months ago.
33
6 May 1942
Office of Admiral Willson
Washington, D.C.
• Corregidor and Manila Bay Forts, Philippine Islands, surrender to the Japanese.
• United States naval vessels sunk: Riverboats Oahu and Luzon, and minesweeper Quail by scuttling, Philippine Islands.
• Rear Adm. F. J. Fletcher’s Allied force is steaming on course to intercept Japanese Invasion Group.
The meeting with the British liaison group had gone well, at least in Admiral Willson’s mind. The British were happy to have Admiral Stark replace Admiral Ghormley as the commander of United States Naval Forces Europe. The British had liked Ghormley but having the former chief of Naval Operations with access to the president of the United States and a strong understanding of global strategy, made them very happy indeed. Most of the meeting had been about the usual items—supplies, convoys, aircraft production, shipbuilding priorities and manpower—but there had been some discussion about expanding joint command responsibilities in the European Theater of Operations (ETO). General Marshall was hesitant to give his blessing after his most recent visit. He was sending his top planner, Eisenhower, to review the situation in Britain, including current American leadership and to find out how well the two Allied camps really got along.
Admiral King was not happy with any American vessel being lorded over by the Brits. The recent use of the aircraft carrier Wasp to deliver Spitfires to Malta had been a success, but the British admiral had all the support ships at their command, and he differed in his opinion on how the command structure would work. The resupply of Malta by the Wasp in three separate deliveries had been dangerous, but politically necessary and approved by the president, so King had to go along. He was unsure if the president would continue to let the Brits have their way, but King was sure he could drag his feet on any new initiatives like joint naval commands.
After the meeting, King had some private conversations with the staff and Adm. Sir Charles Little, who was the naval liaison in Washington and served with the Combined Chiefs of Staff. Willson stayed out of the meeting and went back to his office where he was surprised to see Field Marshal Sir John Dill waiting for him.
“Sir John, I’m sorry, but I didn’t know you wanted to meet with me.” Admiral Willson was truly sorry for this breach of protocol, especially because Dill was very pro-American and often sided with the Yanks during heated discussions. He had a long and proud history serving Britain and had developed a close working relationship with General Marshall as well as the president. He served as the personal representative of the British prime minister and had open access anywhere he wanted to go.
“Admiral Willson, no need to be sorry, I just wanted to stop by to tell you something in private.”
Willson opened his door and escorted the field marshal into the office and invited him to sit down.
“No bother about sitting, I have to go over to Fort Meade for a session with General Marshall about a few things that I don’t think went well today, but that is not the reason for my visit.” He pulled out an envelope and gave it to the admiral. Willson looked at it closely because it had no stamp and was addressed to LTJG James Brand.
“Admiral, what you now possess, I believe, is a love letter from a young woman to a young lad in your command, whom I had the privilege of meeting only once. I was sent this letter in the diplomatic pouch so there would be no misunderstanding or prying eyes. Adm. Lord Louis Mountbatten sent it to me with a note which I will not give you. I will give you the gist of the note. Then you may see fit to deliver the letter.”
Willson was now very puzzled and looked at the English field marshal waiting for his next words. “Lord Mountbatten reported that Lady Margret Bagley, daughter of Baron Bagley is smitten with your Lieutenant Brand. They appeared to have a deep affection for one another and spent as much time as possible on his recent whirlwind trip to my country. There appears to be several romantic types in high positions, which I take to mean at the highest levels of the government and military engaged in matchmaking. So, what I am here to tell you is the young woman in question has now been commissioned in the Women’s Royal Navy Service as a third officer and has been posted to Washington to support the war effort. Lord Louis has assured me that she is extremely qualified to do analytical work on behalf of my office and has two years at Cambridge to prove it.”
The admiral then checked his watch noticing he was late for the next round of talks with the American War Production Board.
Admiral Willson stared at the envelope with Brand’s name on it and said, “Sir, I am aware of the relationship between our Mr. Brand and the young lady. I will make sure he receives the letter soon. When is Lady Bagley due to arrive in Washington?”
“She is on the Queen Mary heading this way next week. She should be in Washington shortly after that. Perhaps we can arrange for a meeting of the two young people?”
“Field Marshal, that will not be possible for some time. Lieutenant Brand and his unit are now on their way to the Pacific, and I’m unsure of when they’ll return.”
The field marshal reached for his briefcase then looked at the American admiral. “It is hard to be in love during a war, Admiral. We should make a good effort to get these young people together soon. I think it does us all good to see that life does indeed go on even in the face of all this tragedy. Please keep me posted on how he is doing, and I shall inform Lady Bagley upon her arrival that their love affair will have to wait.” The field marshal walked out of the office.
Admiral Willson placed the envelope on his desk and pondered when Brand and the rest of the team would return to Washington. But, he also wondered, what adventures would they share.
Appendix
Historical Figures Found in This Book
American Civilian Leadership
Franklin D. Roosevelt President of the United States
John G. Winant Ambassador to Great Britain
United States Navy
Capt. Wilder DuPuy Baker Commander,
Anti-submarine Warfare Operations Research Group
Prof. Lloyd Berkner Bureau of Aeronautics radar development
Rear Adm. Frank J. Fletcher Commander of Task Force Seventeen (Yorktown)
Vice Adm. Robert L. Ghormley Presidential Observer to Great Britain Named Commander of South Pacific Area 20 April 1942
Vice Adm. W. F. Halsey Commander of Carrier Division Two
Adm. Ernest J. King Chief of Naval Operations and Commander in Chief United States Fleet
Rear Adm. R. T. McIntyre Chief of Bureau of Medicine
Adm. Chester Nimitz Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet
Rear Adm. John H. Tower Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics
Rear Adm. R. K. (Kelly) Turner Head of War Plans Division
Prof. Merle Tuve Director, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Capt. Albert Cushing Read Commander, Pensacola Aviation Training Base
Lt. Comdr. Joseph Rochefort Commander of Cryptanalysis, Station Hypo
Capt. R. O. D. Sullivan The first man to make one hundred flights across the Atlantic.
Rear Adm. Russel Willson Chief of Staff to Admiral King
United States Marines Corps
Lt. Col. Evans Carlson Commander, Second Raider Battalion
Maj. Walker I. Jordan Commander of Marine Guard, American Embassy, London
Maj. James Roosevelt Executive Officer, Second Raider Battalion (son of FDR)
United States Army
Maj. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower Head of War Plans
Maj. Gen. James E. Chaney Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces in the British Isles
Gen. George Marshall Chief of Staff, United States Army
United States Army Air Force
Gen. H. H. Arnold Chief of Staff, United States Army Air Forces
Brig. Gen. Harold George Commander of the Air Transport Command
Brig. Gen. Laurence S. Kuter Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Mission to Britain Page 34
