World War II Database

1.  David Stubblebine says:
10 Apr 2020 01:51:27 PM

RAdm Forrest Sherman is barely visible in the background between Nimitz and Fitch.

2. Anon says:
14 Feb 2021 03:55:18 PM

When was this conference held? What was it about? I googled it, but there doesn't seem to be much information.
Is there a link to the source of the photo?

3.  David Stubblebine says:
14 Feb 2021 05:29:55 PM

Anonymous (above):
This is a US Navy photo and their page for it is here: https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-62000/NH-62703.html. Their own caption has little information about the nature of this meeting and the location of San Francisco may not even be accurate. They date it as “circa-1944” but I date it as late 1944 based on being between Forrestal’s appointment as SecNav in May 1944 and King’s & Nimitz’ promotions to FAdm in Dec 1944. I said late 1944 based on mostly blue uniforms but mid 1944 is still a possibility. More details about this meeting would be of interest to me too.

4. Rich MILLER says:
24 Oct 2024 07:50:37 AM

King and Nimitz had at least quarterly meetings in San Francisco, this has to be one of those, especially given the Navy only presence. And given the heavy number of stars here, meeting was likely September 29, when the decision as to where to go after the Marianas was under heavy discussion. The September 29 1944 meeting was where they talked King out of going into Formosa (as known at the time). Sherman was known to be there per Spruance's biography. The written biographies are your best source for this.

5.  David Stubblebine says:
24 Oct 2024 01:29:23 PM

Rich Miller (above):
I am sure you are spot on with the date, as you normally are about such things. As for Sherman’s presence, he can barely be seen in this photo in the back of the room next to Fitch’s right ear. Why he wasn’t lined up with the others is unknown.

On another note, this picture always makes me laugh with Spruance in his khakis; always just a little out of step with his manner of dress, whether khakis alongside everyone else’s blues or his predilection for his pith helmet on other occasions.