164

UNITED STATES NAVAL AVIATION 1910-1995

1946-Contin ued

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made successful landings and takeoffs (deck-launched

without catapults) on board Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1 August An act of Congress established the Office

of Naval Research in the Navy Department to plan,

foster and encourage scientific research. The new

office came into being on 21 August 1946 by redesig-

nation of the Office of Research and Inventions which

had been established by Secretarial order in May 1945.

13 August Congress approved the Hale Plan, also

known as the "Flying Midshipmen" or Aviation

Midshipmen Program. It was part of the program

issued by Vice Admiral James L. Holloway when he

was Chief of Naval Personnel. The program was

designed to provide the Navy with qualified pilots in

the post-World War II period following the loss of a

large segment of experienced Naval Aviators returning

to civilian life. For those who joined the program, it

Phantom on

Franklin D.

Roosevelt

1053790

offered to pay for two years of college and training as

a naval aviator in exchange for a service obligation.

Personnel completing their flight training and desig-

nated a Naval Aviator were not automatically commis-

sioned at the same time. They remained as aviation

midshipman and were ordered to the fleet, serving as

pilots but not as a commissioned officer. After a peri-

od of service in the fleet these "flying midshipmen"

usually received their commission. The "Flying Mid-

shipmen" program was replaced by the Naval Aviation

Cadet program in early 1950. Of the 3,000 Aviation

Midshipmen, approximately 1,800 were designated

Naval Aviators. Many Aviation Midshipmen were recalled

to active during the Korea War.

14 August The Chief of Naval Operations standard-

ized missile terminology within the Navy to the extent

that he directed the term "Guided Missiles" be used for

all types developed by the Navy. Past practice was