United States Fleet - Definition and Overview

The United States Fleet was an organization in the United States Navy from 1922 until after World War II. Initially the abbreviation CINCUS was used for Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet, later replaced by COMINCH.

Establishment

The General Order of 6 December 1922 combined the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets to form the United States Fleet The main body of ships, the Battle Fleet, was in the Pacific and the Scouting Fleet was in the Atlantic. Additionally, the Control Force protected Atlantic sea lanes, and the Fleet Base Force were included. Remaining indepenent were the Asiatic Fleet, Naval Forces, Europe, the Special Service Squadron and all the submarines.

Sometime in the 1920s, the Battle Fleet was renamed the Battle Force and the Submarine Force was placed under control of CINCUS. The Control Force was abolished in 1931. The Special Service Squadron and the Asiatic Fleet were retained, both still apparently independent of the U.S. Fleet.

Reorganization in 1941

On 1 February 1941, General Order 143 reorganized the United States Fleet back into the Atlantic Fleet and the Pacific Fleet, placing the Asiatic Fleet under its control.

Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel was appointed Commander in Chief, United States Fleet and Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, on February 1, 1941. Admiral Kimmel retired on 17 December 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The next day, by an Executive order of December 18, 1941, COMINCH was removed from the authority of the CNO. On 20 December, Admiral Ernest King is assigned as COMINCH. Executive Order 9096, on March 12, 1942, combined the duties of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) with those of the Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet. Admiral King relieved Admiral Harold R. Stark as CNO and so was given the dual role. King retained both "hats" during the remainder of World War II.

The title of Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet remained as late as 1953.

Current Status

As of 2004, the United States Fleet Forces Command, formerly the Combined Fleet Forces Command, held similar duties.

Leadership

Commanders-in-Chief of the United States Fleet included:

• Robert E. Coontz 1925
• Samuel S. Robison 1925-1926
• Unknown
• Jehu V. Chase 17 September 1930 - 15 September 1931
• Richard H. Leigh 1932-33
• David Sellers 10 June 1933 - 18 June 1934
• Joseph M. Reeves February 26, 1934 - June 1936
• Arthur Hepburn 24 June 1936 - 1938
• Claude C. Bloch 1938 - 6 January 1940
• James Richardson 6 January 1940-January 5, 1941
• Ernest King (also CNO) 1943

External links

• Notes on U.S. Fleet Organisation and Disposition, 1898-1941 (http://www.gwpda.org/naval/fdus0001.htm)
• Fleet Forces Command (http://www.cffc.navy.mil)