Keep an Eye on Zumwalt

Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. capped a fine career in the Navy by serving a four-year term as Chief of Naval Operations under the collapsing regime of Richard M. Nixon. Admiral Zumwalt retired two years ago and now, in his mid-fifties, trim and experienced, he has written a memoir (On Watch) and is running for the Senate from Virginia, on the Democratic line, against Harry Byrd Jr.

I asked the Admiral at dinner not long ago how many years it would be, if present trends were to continue both in Moscow and in Washington, before the Soviet fleet achieved overwhelming superiority over the American fleet. Without hesitation he said, “Three years.” Then he smiled and thought it over for an instant: “Four years.”

WR

About the Author

William F. Rickenbacker

Featured Tags

Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. capped a fine career in the Navy by serving a four-year term as Chief of Naval Operations under the collapsing regime of Richard M. Nixon. Admiral Zumwalt retired two years ago and now, in his mid-fifties, trim and experienced, he has written a memoir (On Watch) and is running for the Senate from Virginia, on the Democratic line, against Harry Byrd Jr.

I asked the Admiral at dinner not long ago how many years it would be, if present trends were to continue both in Moscow and in Washington, before the Soviet fleet achieved overwhelming superiority over the American fleet. Without hesitation he said, “Three years.” Then he smiled and thought it over for an instant: “Four years.”