Winning the War with Ships

Winning the war with ships was the job assigned to Admiral Land by President Roosevelt, himself a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy and a big-navy man. Thanks to the Admiral's imagination and organizational ability, the greatest program of ship construction in the history of the world was successfully achieved in World War II.

Here is Admiral Land's story, beginning with his youth in Wyoming, then almost virgin territory, where his father was a United States government conservator of fish life; his crowded years at Annapolis, where he became a famous football player and at which sport he is a recognized authority and consultant to this day; his services in World War I; and finally his crowning achievement, the handling of the vast ship building program for the Navy and Merchant Marine in World War II.

We are taken behind the scenes and learn how the Admiral, serving as head of both the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration, spearheaded the construction of the most massive fleet in history the amazing total of more than 5,600 ships totaling over 56,000,000 tons. Under Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal had this to say about it: "Every existing production record for shipbuilding has been smashed. More significantly, the skill and toil which have achieved this record also have created a shipbuilding capacity larger than that of the rest of the world combined." In carrying on this great effort which is described artfully in this book, Admiral Land worked hand in hand with President Roosevelt, whose "Dear Jerry" notes appear constantly in this story, former President Hoover, Bernard M. Baruch and James F. Byrnes whom he consulted frequently, Sir Winston Churchill, and the heads of the various other allied governments, as well as top military and naval leaders.

The Admiral's story is a stimulating and inspiring tale of devotion to cause, patriotism and the ability of American industry to achieve in time of crisis.

Admiral Land has had bestowed upon him honors, medals, awards, certificates and plaques from the United States and other governments and degrees from foundations, universities and institutes in this country seemingly enough to sink a battleship! With many illustrations.