Early this year the Naval Historical Center reclassified the CINCPACFLT command summaries known as the "Grey Books". This collection of dispatches between Admirals Nimitz and Fletcher at the opening of the Battle of Midway will not be available to the public until it has been reviewed for declassification under the provisions of the Kyl-Lott amendment to the Defense Appropriations Act of 1999 and 2000.
Access to the "Grey Books" is important now as a result of a lively Internet debate that has developed over conflicting reports of the Battle of Midway as reported in John Lundstrom's book, Black Shoe Carrier Admiral and Peter C. Smith's Midway, Dauntless Victory.
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Naval Historical Center was renamed the Naval History and Heritage Command Dec. 1 to reflect the importance of naval heritage to the Navy's mission.
Retired Rear Adm. Jay A. DeLoach was named the director of the Naval Historical Center in June of 2008. He assumes responsibility for the new command.
"We believe that historical analysis is essential for naval professionals and policymakers," said DeLoach. "It is our mission to preserve and interpret the Navy's hard earned experience and to protect and publicize the history of those of the sea services who sacrificed to defend our nation."
So what's the dust-up over between the two books? Inquiring minds want to know ;)
- SJS
Posted by: Steeljaw Scribe | December 10, 2008 at 15:31