Sea Power and MaritimeSea Power and Maritime Affairs Affairs

Lesson 13: The Navy in the Early Cold War,

1945-1953

                                             

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives Know the reasons for the post World War II decline of the

U.S. Navy. Comprehend the impact of the defense reorganizations in

1947 and 1949 on the role of the U.S. naval service. Know the impact of the balanced force strategy on the role of

U.S. naval service. Know the factors which provided the impetus for change in

national military strategy in 1950. Know the major contributions of the Navy and Marine Corps

during the Korean War.

Yalta ConferenceYalta ConferenceFebruary 1945

The Cold WarThe Cold War

The Cold WarThe Cold War1947-19891947-1989

Constant global confrontation between the Soviet Union and United States. Avoidance of direct armed conflict between the two “Superpowers”.

End of World War IIEnd of World War II United Nations established

MacArthur commands U.S. army of occupation in Japan

Germany divided into zones of occupation– Federal Republic of (West) Germany - 1949

U.S. initially enjoys atomic bomb monopoly– Neglect of conventional military forces begins

Communist control of Eastern Europe.– “Puppet” states dominated by the Soviet Union.

U.S. Naval Forces after WW IIU.S. Naval Forces after WW II Rapid demobilization begins. Postwar tasking:

– Return troops, POWs, and refugees to the U.S.

– Minesweeping.

Must make do with still-new World War II equipment. Drastic reduction in size of force - 1945 to 1950:

– Personnel: 4 million to less than 500,000

– Ships: 1,200 to less than 250

Small numbers of ships stationed in the Far East and Mediterranean.

Truman Truman inspects Navy inspects Navy

Ship, 1945Ship, 1945

Reduction in Force: Navy and Reduction in Force: Navy and Marine CorpsMarine Corps

Personnel: Navy Personnel: Marines Major Combatants Aircraft

1945 1950

3,400,000 5,000

475,000 75,000

1,200 237

40,000 4,300

Search for New RolesSearch for New Roles Austerity

– No weapons systems except nuke– Navy makes do with WWII equipment

Instability– Pacific

U.S. ambivalence toward China Role of 7th Fleet and Naval forces Far east

– Europe Instability in Turkey, Greece, Italy and France Gradual withdrawal of Brits Groundwork for U.S. role in Med.

National Security Act of 1947National Security Act of 1947

Created DOD as cabinet-level agency– SECDEF with SECNAV underneath

Added Air Force to Armed ForcesCreated Joint-Chiefs-of-StaffCreated Unified Geographic CommandsCreated CIA

Effects for Navy and USMCEffects for Navy and USMC

Preserves naval aviation and the Marine Corps

Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal becomes Secretary of Defense

Defense Reorganization Act - 1949: Department of Defense – Strengthens Secretary of Defense: Johnson replaces

Forrestal.

Unified CommandsUnified Commands

The Air ForceThe Air Force

“Massive Retaliation” Strategy Deterrence Air Force strategic bombing:

– New first line of defense to replace Navy– No need for naval air (carriers) or Marines

Massive reduction of the Department of the Navy proposed

B-36 introduced– Air Force long-range atomic bomber.

Revolt of the Admirals - 1949Revolt of the Admirals - 1949 SECDEF Louis Johnson cancels construction of USS United States.

– First “Super Carrier” of the fleet.– Secretary of the Navy John Sullivan resigns in protest.

Marine Corps squadrons cut

CNO Admiral Louis Denfeld relieved of duties by Truman.

Balanced forces strategy eventually accepted.– Soviets detonate atomic bomb - 1950.

Containment of CommunismContainment of Communism

“I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are

resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressure.”

- Harry S Truman evincing the Truman Doctrine

Geographic ConcernsGeographic Concerns Pacific

– China - Civil War between Communists and Nationalists.Leaders: Mao Tse Tung and Chiang Kai Shek.

– Japanese Constitution adopted - relies on U.S. for defense.

Europe– Communist threat to Turkey and Greece– Economic and Military aid to Greece and Turkey.

Non-communist governments secured.

Containment Scorecard 1947-49Containment Scorecard 1947-49 Marshall Plan - June 1947

– U.S. economic aid to rebuild western Europe

Berlin Airlift: June 1948 - May 1949

Communist Coup in Czechosolovakia - February 1948

1949 - Chinese Nationalists evacuate to Formosa.– Communist People’s Republic established on mainland China under Mao– Pact signed with Soviet Union– U.S. supports Chiang’s Nationalist government on Formosa (Taiwan) as legitimate

government of China

NATONATO Established in 1949.

– Military Alliance between U.S., Canada, and western Europe with a formal command structure.

– Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (Brussels, Belguim) U.S. Commander in Chief, European Command

– Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic (Norfolk, Virginia) U.S. Commander in Chief, Atlantic Command

– Warsaw Pact established by the Soviet Union to counter NATO in 1955 - includes eastern European communist states.

The Korean WarThe Korean War

The Korean WarThe Korean War 25 June 1950 -- North Korea invades South Korea

– Truman orders U.S. troops from Japan to defend S. Korea

United Nations Security Council Resolution - 27 June– Called upon member nations to “render such assistance to the Republic of

Korea as may be necessary to repel the armed attack and to restore international peace and security to the area.”

– No veto - Soviet Union boycotts Security Council meeting

General Douglas MacArthur– Commander in Chief - United Nations Command.

Includes ships of the U.S. Seventh Fleet.

Course of the War - 1950Course of the War - 1950 Fall of Seoul to North Korean Army.

– U.S. conventional forces inadequate to stop advance.

Truman orders U.S./U.N. military response– 2-3 July 1950 Navy first on the scene

USS Juneau USS Valley Forge and HMS Triumph Establishes control of SLOC Watched Taiwan/PRC straits

General Douglas MacArthur is United Nations Commander– Conceives of Inchon landing

Pusan Harbor Pusan Harbor July 1950July 1950

U.S. Navy -U.S. Navy -Establishes control Establishes control

of sea lines of of sea lines of communication. communication.

Inchon LandingInchon Landing

15 September 1950North Korea surprisedKimpo Airfield and Seoul within 10 daysNorth Koreans forces cut off in south,

forced to fight their way backMacArthur’s forces follow North Koreans

north of 38th parallel

InchonInchon

InchonInchon

““Frozen” Frozen” ChosinChosin

FirstFirstMarine DivisionMarine Division

Advances to the Chosin Reservoir– Attacked by seven Communist Chinese divisions– Soviet supplied mines sunk naval vessels/delayed 7th fleet

Legendary retreat to Hungnam.– General O.P. Smith

“Gentlemen, we are not retreating. We are merely advancing in another direction.” Chesty Puller, ”We have the Chinese right where we want them. They’re all around us. Makes it easier

for us to get them and kill them.”

– 100,000 troops and equipment evacuated by Seventh Fleet ships. Chinese intervention = fear of Nuke War!!!

Course of the War -- 1951-53Course of the War -- 1951-53 Truman Refuses to use nukes.

– Are nukes practical in limited wars?

MacArthur relieved of duty by Truman - 11 April 1951.– Threatened bombing of China.

Policy contradicted instructions from Truman.

– General Matthew Ridgway replaces MacArthur.

Peace talks begin at Panmunjom. 1953 Armistice yields permanent division of Korea.

– Death of Stalin– Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) established near 38th parallel.

Marines lost 4,267 dead and 23,744 wounded. 42 receive Medal of Honor.

Korea DividedKorea Divided

Republic of Korea(South Korea)

U.S. Ally - Large military presence maintained.

People’s DemocraticRepublic of Korea

(North Korea) Closed society under communist

dictatorship. Soviet and Chinese aid.

Public Law 416Public Law 416

1952– Define Marine Corps

as separate service within DON.

– Sized it as min. 3 divisions and 3 air wings

– Awarded Marine Corps primacy in Amphibious warfare

Impact of Korean War on the NavyImpact of Korean War on the NavyMacArthur: “The Navy and Marines have

never shone more brightly than this morning.” (Invasion of Inchon)– Personnel

– Research and development

– Groundwork for post 1953 modernized navy

– Procurement

ForrestalForrestal-class Attack Carrier -class Attack Carrier (CVA)(CVA)

USS Forrestal (CVA 59)

USS USS NautilusNautilus (SSN 571) (SSN 571)

Commissioned September 1954. First nuclear-powered submarine. First submarine to cruise under the North Pole.

Discussion

Next time: US Navy in the Strategy of Containment, 1953-1963