Events on April 18 in history

The keel for the aircraft carrier USS United States is laid down at Newport News Drydock and Shipbuilding. However, construction is canceled five days later, resulting in the Revolt of the Admirals.

Following the colossal expenditure and unprecedented global conflict of World War II, the United States found itself navigating a new geopolitical landscape. The emerging Cold War pitted former allies against each other, while domestically, there was a strong push to scale back the vast military apparatus built during wartime and reduce federal spending. Amidst these shifting priorities, the future of American defense strategy became a subject of intense debate.

The Vision of the Supercarrier: USS United States (CVA-58)

In this challenging environment, the United States Navy envisioned a revolutionary leap in naval aviation capability. The USS United States (CVA-58) was conceived not merely as another aircraft carrier, but as the lead ship of a brand-new class of "supercarriers." These vessels were designed to be significantly larger and more capable than their World War II predecessors, equipped to launch heavier, longer-range aircraft, including those capable of delivering strategic nuclear weapons. This proposed class of carriers represented the Navy's ambitious plan to maintain its relevance and project power in the evolving atomic age, challenging the burgeoning dominance of land-based strategic bombers.

A critical milestone for this ambitious project occurred on July 29, 1948, when President Harry S. Truman, recognizing the strategic potential, approved the construction of five such supercarriers. Funds for this immense undertaking had already been earmarked in the Naval Appropriations Act of 1949. The first tangible step towards realizing this vision took place on April 18, 1949, when the keel of the USS United States was ceremoniously laid down at the renowned Newport News Drydock and Shipbuilding Company, a yard synonymous with America's naval might.

A Sudden Halt: The Cancellation and the "Revolt of the Admirals"

However, this grand vision was soon overshadowed by a dramatic shift in defense policy and an escalating inter-service rivalry. Just months after its keel was laid, in 1949, the entire supercarrier program was abruptly canceled. Consequently, the USS United States was never completed, and its four planned sister ships remained on the drawing board. This decision became a central flashpoint in what would become known as the "Revolt of the Admirals."

The "Revolt of the Admirals" was a deeply contentious policy and funding dispute that rocked the foundations of the United States government during the crucial early years of the Cold War. At its core, it was a battle over the future of American military strategy and the allocation of a shrinking defense budget. Leading this vocal opposition were a number of highly respected, both retired and active-duty, United States Navy admirals. Among the most prominent figures were serving officers like Admiral Louis E. Denfeld, then the Chief of Naval Operations, and Vice Admiral Gerald F. Bogan. Their ranks were swelled by legendary World War II figures such as Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz and Fleet Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, whose voices carried immense weight within the military and the public alike.

Underlying Tensions: Budget Cuts and Strategic Shifts

This explosive episode unfolded against a backdrop of President Truman’s administration, spearheaded by Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson, actively seeking significant reductions in military expenditure post-WWII. Their policy advocated for deep cuts across the armed services, with the Navy being particularly targeted. The administration's strategic doctrine increasingly favored the nascent United States Air Force and its capacity for strategic nuclear bombing as the primary means of deterring potential adversaries and defending American interests. This approach marginalized the traditional roles of naval power and ground forces.

The Navy, however, was not content to be relegated to a supporting role. It vigorously asserted its own capability and indeed, its necessity, in the realm of strategic bombing. The proposed supercarriers like the USS United States were central to this argument, designed to launch aircraft that could deliver nuclear payloads, thereby challenging the Air Force’s perceived monopoly on strategic deterrence. This fundamental disagreement over strategic roles ignited an intense inter-service rivalry, turning what might have been a bureaucratic squabble into a full-blown political and military confrontation.

The Escalation and Investigation

The dispute quickly transcended mere differences over military strategy and budgetary allocations, evolving into a profound debate about the very principle of civilian control over the military. The abrupt cancellation of the USS United States program, coupled with serious accusations of impropriety leveled against Secretary Johnson regarding his strong advocacy for and the procurement of the Air Force's massive Convair B-36 Peacemaker bomber—a direct competitor to the supercarrier concept for delivering nuclear weapons—fueled public and congressional outrage. These accusations prompted a formal investigation by the influential House Committee on Armed Services, chaired by the powerful and long-serving Congressman Carl Vinson.

Resolution and Enduring Legacy

Ultimately, the immediate controversy surrounding the "Revolt of the Admirals" was settled largely in favor of the Truman administration and its defense policies, at least on the surface. However, history soon delivered a stark re-evaluation. The outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950 dramatically exposed the limitations and shortcomings of a defense strategy primarily reliant on strategic nuclear weapons. The conflict underscored the critical need for conventional forces, power projection, and sea control—precisely the capabilities the Navy had championed. In response to the exigencies of the war, many of the proposed cuts to conventional forces were swiftly reversed, and the importance of balanced military capabilities was powerfully reaffirmed. While the USS United States was never built, the principles it represented — the need for flexible, forward-deployed naval power and large-deck aircraft carriers — would ultimately guide subsequent naval development and shape the United States Navy into the formidable force it is today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the USS United States (CVA-58)?

The USS United States (CVA-58) was envisioned as the lead ship of a revolutionary new class of "supercarriers," designed to be significantly larger and more capable than previous aircraft carriers. It was intended to carry heavier, longer-range aircraft, including those capable of delivering strategic nuclear weapons, marking a significant step in naval aviation.

Why was the USS United States program canceled?

The program was canceled in 1949 primarily due to a broader shift in U.S. defense policy and severe budget cuts initiated by the Truman administration after World War II. The government prioritized strategic nuclear bombing capabilities, largely assigning this role to the United States Air Force and its B-36 bombers, thus reducing funding and perceived necessity for the Navy's supercarrier program.

What was the "Revolt of the Admirals"?

The "Revolt of the Admirals" was a major policy and funding dispute in 1949 involving active and retired U.S. Navy admirals who publicly challenged the Truman administration and Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson. It stemmed from deep cuts to the Navy budget, the cancellation of the USS United States supercarrier, and the perceived favoritism towards the Air Force's strategic bombing role.

Who were the key figures involved in the "Revolt of the Admirals"?

Prominent figures included President Harry S. Truman, Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson, and influential Navy admirals such as Louis E. Denfeld (Chief of Naval Operations), Gerald F. Bogan, and legendary World War II Fleet Admirals Chester Nimitz and William Halsey. Congressman Carl Vinson chaired the House Committee that investigated the dispute.

What was the outcome of the "Revolt of the Admirals"?

Initially, the dispute was formally settled in favor of the Truman administration's policy, and the supercarrier program remained canceled. However, the subsequent outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950 highlighted the critical need for conventional forces and naval power, leading to a reversal of many proposed cuts and a renewed appreciation for a balanced military strategy.

What was the significance of the Convair B-36 Peacemaker bomber in this dispute?

The Convair B-36 Peacemaker was the primary long-range strategic bomber of the U.S. Air Force, heavily favored by Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson for nuclear deterrence. The Navy saw the B-36 as a direct competitor to its supercarrier concept for projecting strategic power, leading to accusations of impropriety in its procurement and further fueling the inter-service rivalry.