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'''Sea Frontiers''' were established by the [[United States Navy]] from 1 July 1941 during [[World War II]] as areas of defense against enemy vessels, especially [[submarine]]s, along the [[United States|American]] coasts. Sea Frontiers generally started at the shore of the United States and extended outwards into the sea for a nominal distance of two hundred miles.
'''Sea Frontiers''' were established by the [[United States Navy]] from 1 July 1941 during [[World War II]] as areas of defense against enemy vessels, especially [[submarine]]s, along the American coasts. Sea Frontiers generally started at the shore of the United States and extended outwards into the sea for a nominal distance of two hundred miles.


As early as 1927 the Navy's plans for the coastal defense of the United States and its Territories and possessions provided for the establishment of Naval Coastal Frontiers that would be larger operational commands than the individual Naval Districts.<ref name=Records10>HyperWar, [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ATO/FRWW2-II/FRWW2-4.html Federal Records of World War II Volume II Military Records], Part Four, 1083</ref> On July 1, 1941, the Chief of Naval Operations formally established several Naval Coastal Frontiers; on February 6, 1942, these were renamed Sea Frontiers. Each Frontier was a geographic area, usually comprising a number of Naval Districts but including in addition the outer shipping lanes in its sea area. The land areas of the Frontiers corresponded roughly to the Army's Defense Commands, but the boundaries were not identical. The Frontier Commander was usually also the commandant of a Naval District within the Frontier. The chief responsibilities of the Sea Frontiers during World War II were operational; Frontier forces engaged actively in scouting for enemy forces, particularly submarines, and in attack on any enemy units within their boundaries. Toward the end of the war the Frontiers were assigned administrative and logistic functions in addition to their operational responsibilities.
As early as 1927 the Navy's plans for the coastal defense of the United States and its Territories and possessions provided for the establishment of Naval Coastal Frontiers that would be larger operational commands than the individual Naval Districts.<ref name=Records10>HyperWar, [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ATO/FRWW2-II/FRWW2-4.html Federal Records of World War II Volume II Military Records], Part Four, 1083</ref> On 1 July 1941, the Chief of Naval Operations formally established several Naval Coastal Frontiers; on 6 February 1942, these were renamed Sea Frontiers. Each Frontier was a geographic area, usually comprising a number of Naval Districts but including in addition the outer shipping lanes in its sea area. The land areas of the Frontiers corresponded roughly to the Army's Defense Commands, but the boundaries were not identical. The Frontier Commander was usually also the commandant of a Naval District within the Frontier. The chief responsibilities of the Sea Frontiers during World War II were operational; Frontier forces engaged actively in scouting for enemy forces, particularly submarines, and in attack on any enemy units within their boundaries. Toward the end of the war the Frontiers were assigned administrative and logistic functions in addition to their operational responsibilities.


Navy General Order No. 143, issued on February 3, 1941, stated that Commandants of [[United States naval districts]] and Commanders of Naval Coastal Frontiers have administrative responsibility direct to the Navy Department for local and coastal forces; but Commanders of Naval Coastal Frontiers have task responsibility to the Chief of Naval Operations for Naval Coastal Frontier Forces. (Source Eastern Sea Frontier history, HyperWar)
Navy General Order No. 143, issued on 3 February 1941, stated that Commandants of [[United States naval districts]] and Commanders of Naval Coastal Frontiers have administrative responsibility direct to the Navy Department for local and coastal forces; but Commanders of Naval Coastal Frontiers have task responsibility to the Chief of Naval Operations for Naval Coastal Frontier Forces. (Source Eastern Sea Frontier history, HyperWar)


In addition to the Sea Frontiers under the cognizance of U.S. military authorities, the [[Canadian Northwest Atlantic|Canadian Coastal Zone]] was the responsibility of the [[Royal Canadian Navy]]. This formation was very active since the majority of trans-Atlantic convoys originated or terminated in Canadian waters.
In addition to the Sea Frontiers under the cognizance of U.S. military authorities, the [[Canadian Northwest Atlantic|Canadian Coastal Zone]] was the responsibility of the [[Royal Canadian Navy]]. This formation was very active since the majority of trans-Atlantic convoys originated or terminated in Canadian waters.


== List of Sea Frontiers ==
== List of Sea Frontiers ==
* Alaskan Sea Frontier - from 1 January 1947 with the establishment of [[United States Pacific Command]], Task Force 95, Rear Admiral Daubin's Alaskan Sea Frontier, was to operate under the commander-in-chief of the [[Alaskan Command]], Major General Craig.<ref>Hal M. Friedman, 'Arguing over the American Lake: Bureaucracy and Rivalry in the U.S. Pacific, 1945-47' Texas A&M University Press, 2009, ISBN 1-60344-125-5, p.108</ref> Finally inactivated in 1971 as part of post-Vietnam military reductions. (jber.af.mil/library/factsheets, ALCOM)
* Alaskan Sea Frontier – from 1 January 1947 with the establishment of [[United States Pacific Command]], Task Force 95, Rear Admiral Daubin's Alaskan Sea Frontier, was to operate under the commander-in-chief of the [[Alaskan Command]], Major General Craig.<ref>Hal M. Friedman, 'Arguing over the American Lake: Bureaucracy and Rivalry in the U.S. Pacific, 1945–47' Texas A&M University Press, 2009, ISBN 1-60344-125-5, p.108</ref> Finally inactivated in 1971 as part of post-Vietnam military reductions. (jber.af.mil/library/factsheets, ALCOM)
* Caribbean Sea Frontier<ref name=p&n>Potter & Nimitz, p.552</ref> - The Caribbean Sea Frontier (CARIBSEAFRON) was under the command of [[Vice Admiral]] [[John H. Hoover]], Commander Caribbean Sea Frontier or COMCARIBSEAFRON, and the responsibility of the frontier was the protection of Allied shipping in the [[Caribbean Sea]] and along the Atlantic Coast of [[South America]] during [[World War II]]. The [[Germany|German]] [[U-Boat]] made a last bitter stand in the [[Trinidad]] area in the fall of 1942. Since then, coastal waters continued to be relatively safe of the U-boat menace.
* Caribbean Sea Frontier<ref name=p&n>Potter & Nimitz, p.552</ref> – The Caribbean Sea Frontier (CARIBSEAFRON) was under the command of [[Vice Admiral]] [[John H. Hoover]], Commander Caribbean Sea Frontier or COMCARIBSEAFRON, and the responsibility of the frontier was the protection of Allied shipping in the [[Caribbean Sea]] and along the Atlantic Coast of South America during [[World War II]]. The German [[U-Boat]] made a last bitter stand in the [[Trinidad]] area in the fall of 1942. Since then, coastal waters continued to be relatively safe of the U-boat menace.
* [[Eastern Sea Frontier]]<ref name=p&n/> - proved to be a "rich hunting ground" for [[Germany|German]] [[submarines]] during early years of the war. See [[Second Happy Time]].
* [[Eastern Sea Frontier]]<ref name=p&n/> – proved to be a "rich hunting ground" for German [[submarines]] during early years of the war. See [[Second Happy Time]].
* Gulf Sea Frontier<ref name=p&n/> - Organized 6 February 1942 the Gulf Sea Frontier (GULFSEAFRON) was headquartered at [[Key West, Florida]], and was later moved to [[Miami, Florida]] on 17 June 1942. Captain [[Russell S. Crenshaw]] was Commander, Gulf Sea Frontier (COMGULFSEAFRON) until June 3, 1942, when he was replaced by Rear Admiral [[James L. Kauffman]].<ref>Samuel Eliot Morison, 'History of United States Naval Operations in World War II: The Battle of the Atlantic' University of the Illinois Press, 2001, ISBN 0-252-06963-3, p.135</ref> It was responsible for protecting the waters of [[Florida]] and the [[Bahamas]] as well as the [[Gulf of Mexico]], the [[Yucatan Channel]] and areas near [[Cuba]].
* Gulf Sea Frontier<ref name=p&n/> – Organized 6 February 1942 the Gulf Sea Frontier (GULFSEAFRON) was headquartered at [[Key West, Florida]], and was later moved to [[Miami, Florida]] on 17 June 1942. Captain [[Russell S. Crenshaw]] was Commander, Gulf Sea Frontier (COMGULFSEAFRON) until 3 June 1942, when he was replaced by Rear Admiral [[James L. Kauffman]].<ref>Samuel Eliot Morison, 'History of United States Naval Operations in World War II: The Battle of the Atlantic' University of the Illinois Press, 2001, ISBN 0-252-06963-3, p.135</ref> It was responsible for protecting the waters of Florida and the [[Bahamas]] as well as the [[Gulf of Mexico]], the [[Yucatan Channel]] and areas near [[Cuba]].
* Hawaiian Sea Frontier<ref name=p&n/> - The Hawaiian Sea Frontier (HawSeaFron) was a [[Formation (military)|formation]] of the [[United States Navy]] established during [[World War II]].<ref>[http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/wwii/pearl/hawaii-4.htm The US Navy and Hawaii: The War Years]</ref> It was organized to defend the island of [[Oahu]]. Vice Admiral [[David W. Bagley]] served as COMHAWSEAFRON from 4 April 1942 until July 1943. The Hawaiian Sea Frontier did not actually come into a settled form until September 1942. The Assistant Chief of Staff (HawSeaFron) attempted to mold the organization to a degree similar to the [[Western Sea Frontier]]. The difficulty of selecting a site for the joint Operating Center delayed his plans. Originally, it was planned to have a district headquarters in [[Honolulu]], with a part of the building devoted to the Frontier headquarters. When the plan did not prove feasible, it was decided to take two and a half tunnels at the [[Aliamanu Crater]]. Because of the limitations of space and the distance from the Commandant's headquarters, the location did not become more than an operational center. Since the Crater was on [[U.S. Army]] property, the construction of a Joint Operating Center with a major plot was never accomplished because of the fluctuations of the war and difficulties over appropriations. One service did not desire to build and pay more than its share of expenses from its limited appropriations for the benefit of another service. The Frontier suffered because of its unique location to the Pacific Fleet's sprawling auxiliary, [[ComServPac]]. These two echelons determined the number of vessels under its control as well as the complements of manpower. In cases of emergency, units of the Fleet took over [[convoy]] and [[antisubmarine]] patrols. Just as its surface units were controlled by higher echelons, so also were its air units by [[Commander, Naval Air Forces|Air Forces, Pacific Fleet]]. The major functions of the Hawaiian Sea Frontier were the maintenance of picket ships outside [[Pearl Harbor]] and the Port of [[Honolulu]], the escorting of inter-island shipping, and the establishment of [[air-sea rescue]] facilities.
* Hawaiian Sea Frontier<ref name=p&n/> – The Hawaiian Sea Frontier (HawSeaFron) was a [[Formation (military)|formation]] of the [[United States Navy]] established during [[World War II]].<ref>[http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/wwii/pearl/hawaii-4.htm The US Navy and Hawaii: The War Years]</ref> It was organized to defend the island of [[Oahu]]. Vice Admiral [[David W. Bagley]] served as COMHAWSEAFRON from 4 April 1942 until July 1943. The Hawaiian Sea Frontier did not actually come into a settled form until September 1942. The Assistant Chief of Staff (HawSeaFron) attempted to mold the organization to a degree similar to the [[Western Sea Frontier]]. The difficulty of selecting a site for the joint Operating Center delayed his plans. Originally, it was planned to have a district headquarters in [[Honolulu]], with a part of the building devoted to the Frontier headquarters. When the plan did not prove feasible, it was decided to take two and a half tunnels at the [[Aliamanu Crater]]. Because of the limitations of space and the distance from the Commandant's headquarters, the location did not become more than an operational center. Since the Crater was on [[U.S. Army]] property, the construction of a Joint Operating Center with a major plot was never accomplished because of the fluctuations of the war and difficulties over appropriations. One service did not desire to build and pay more than its share of expenses from its limited appropriations for the benefit of another service. The Frontier suffered because of its unique location to the Pacific Fleet's sprawling auxiliary, [[ComServPac]]. These two echelons determined the number of vessels under its control as well as the complements of manpower. In cases of emergency, units of the Fleet took over [[convoy]] and [[antisubmarine]] patrols. Just as its surface units were controlled by higher echelons, so also were its air units by [[Commander, Naval Air Forces|Air Forces, Pacific Fleet]]. The major functions of the Hawaiian Sea Frontier were the maintenance of picket ships outside [[Pearl Harbor]] and the Port of [[Honolulu]], the escorting of inter-island shipping, and the establishment of [[air-sea rescue]] facilities.
* Moroccan Sea Frontier - The Morocco Sea Frontier, sometimes called the [[North Africa]] Sea Frontier, was a U.S. naval unit on the east coast of [[French Morocco]] during [[World War II]]. It was established as a Sea Frontier under the command of Rear Admiral [[John L. Hall, Jr.]]
* Moroccan Sea Frontier – The Morocco Sea Frontier, sometimes called the North Africa Sea Frontier, was a U.S. naval unit on the east coast of [[French Morocco]] during [[World War II]]. It was established as a Sea Frontier under the command of Rear Admiral [[John L. Hall, Jr.]]
* Northwest Sea Frontier<ref name=p&n/> - established as the Pacific Northern Naval Coastal Frontier, became the Northwest Sea Frontier in 1942, with headquarters at Seattle.<ref name=Records10 /> Its Commander was also Commandant of the Thirteenth Naval District, and its land area coincided with that of the District, which until April 1944. included Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. For administrative and operational purposes the Frontier was divided into the Northwestern and the Alaskan Sectors. In conjunction with the Army the Frontier maintained the Joint Operations Center at Seattle. On April 15, 1944, the Seventeenth Naval District, which consisted of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, was established, and the Northwest Sea Frontier was abolished.
* Northwest Sea Frontier<ref name=p&n/> – established as the Pacific Northern Naval Coastal Frontier, became the Northwest Sea Frontier in 1942, with headquarters at Seattle.<ref name=Records10 /> Its Commander was also Commandant of the Thirteenth Naval District, and its land area coincided with that of the District, which until April 1944. included Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. For administrative and operational purposes the Frontier was divided into the Northwestern and the Alaskan Sectors. In conjunction with the Army the Frontier maintained the Joint Operations Center at Seattle. On 15 April 1944, the Seventeenth Naval District, which consisted of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, was established, and the Northwest Sea Frontier was abolished.
* [[Panama Sea Frontier]]<ref name=p&n/>
* [[Panama Sea Frontier]]<ref name=p&n/>
* [[Philippine Sea Frontier]] - organised after U.S. return to the Philippines in 1944
* [[Philippine Sea Frontier]] – organised after U.S. return to the Philippines in 1944
* [[Western Sea Frontier]]<ref name=p&n/> - the Western Sea Frontier (WESTSEAFRON) headquartered in [[San Francisco, California]], USA, was responsible for the sea defense of the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] coast of the [[United States]] and [[Mexico]] during [[World War II]]. The frontier commander was designated Commander, Western Sea Frontier (COMWESTSEAFRON). The Western Sea Frontier was composed of many forces and commands, including the [[11th Naval District|Eleventh]], [[12th Naval District|Twelfth]], and [[13th Naval District|Thirteenth Naval Districts]]. The Western Sea Frontier consisted of the Pacific Coastal regions lying west of the [[Cascade Range]] and [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] as well as of [[Alaska]]. On April 4, 1942, Rear Admiral [[David W. Bagley]] relieved Rear Admiral Claude C. Bloch as Commandant, 14th Naval District, and Commander, Hawaiian Sea Frontier, and he served in that capacity until January 1943. On February 1, 1943, he assumed command of the Western Sea Frontier and, on March 30, 1943, added the duties of Commandant, 11th Naval District. He held the latter office only until January 1944, but continued to head the Western Sea Frontier until the following fall.
* [[Western Sea Frontier]]<ref name=p&n/> – the Western Sea Frontier (WESTSEAFRON) headquartered in San Francisco, was responsible for the sea defense of the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] coast of the United States and [[Mexico]] during [[World War II]]. The frontier commander was designated Commander, Western Sea Frontier (COMWESTSEAFRON). The Western Sea Frontier was composed of many forces and commands, including the [[11th Naval District|Eleventh]], [[12th Naval District|Twelfth]], and [[13th Naval District|Thirteenth Naval Districts]]. The Western Sea Frontier consisted of the Pacific Coastal regions lying west of the [[Cascade Range]] and [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] as well as of [[Alaska]]. On 4 April 1942, Rear Admiral [[David W. Bagley]] relieved Rear Admiral Claude C. Bloch as Commandant, 14th Naval District, and Commander, Hawaiian Sea Frontier, and he served in that capacity until January 1943. On 1 February 1943, he assumed command of the Western Sea Frontier and, on 30 March 1943, added the duties of Commandant, 11th Naval District. He held the latter office only until January 1944, but continued to head the Western Sea Frontier until the following fall.


Western Sea Frontier's commander also served as commander of the Pacific Reserve Fleet as of 1937-38.<ref>The Code of federal regulations of the United States of America having general applicability and legal effect in force June 1, 1938:
Western Sea Frontier's commander also served as commander of the Pacific Reserve Fleet as of 1937–38.<ref>The Code of federal regulations of the United States of America having general applicability and legal effect in force 1 June 1938:
1st ed., published by the Division of the Federal register, the National archives, pursuant to section 11 of the Federal register act as amended June 19, 1937 (Google eBook)</ref>
1st ed., published by the Division of the Federal register, the National archives, pursuant to section 11 of the Federal register act as amended 19 June 1937 (Google eBook)</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 31: Line 32:
== References ==
== References ==
*[[Admiral Ernest J. King]], [http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/cno/cnorpt_1.html First Report to the Secretary of the Navy: Covering our Peacetime Navy and our Wartime Navy and including combat operations up to 1 March 1944]. April 1944, pp. 75–88.
*[[Admiral Ernest J. King]], [http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/cno/cnorpt_1.html First Report to the Secretary of the Navy: Covering our Peacetime Navy and our Wartime Navy and including combat operations up to 1 March 1944]. April 1944, pp. 75–88.
*[[Samuel Eliot Morison]], ''[[History of United States Naval Operations in World War II]]'', The Battle of the Atlantic, 1939-1943. ISBN 0-7858-1302-0
*[[Samuel Eliot Morison]], ''[[History of United States Naval Operations in World War II]]'', The Battle of the Atlantic, 1939–1943. ISBN 0-7858-1302-0
*{{cite book |last1=Potter |first1=E.B. |last2=Nimitz |first2=Chester W. |authorlink2 =Chester W. Nimitz |title =Sea Power |publisher =Prentice-Hall |volume = |edition = |date =1960 |location =Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey |pages = |isbn =}}
*{{cite book |last1=Potter |first1=E.B. |last2=Nimitz |first2=Chester W. |authorlink2 =Chester W. Nimitz |title =Sea Power |publisher =Prentice-Hall |volume = |edition = |date =1960 |location =Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey |pages = |isbn =}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.uboatarchive.net/ESF.htm U-boat Archive - Eastern Sea Frontier]
* [http://www.uboatarchive.net/ESF.htm U-boat Archive – Eastern Sea Frontier]
* [http://www.uboatarchive.net/ESFWarDiaryMar42.htm U-boat Archive - Eastern Sea Frontier - War Diary March 1942]
* [http://www.uboatarchive.net/ESFWarDiaryMar42.htm U-boat Archive – Eastern Sea Frontier – War Diary March 1942]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/books/OPNAV20-P1000/E.htm Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations (OPNAV 29-P1000)]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/books/OPNAV20-P1000/E.htm Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations (OPNAV 29-P1000)]
* [http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/Comant44.html Naval Operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean to March 1944]
* [http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/Comant44.html Naval Operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean to March 1944]

Revision as of 15:02, 16 April 2017

Sea Frontiers were established by the United States Navy from 1 July 1941 during World War II as areas of defense against enemy vessels, especially submarines, along the American coasts. Sea Frontiers generally started at the shore of the United States and extended outwards into the sea for a nominal distance of two hundred miles.

As early as 1927 the Navy's plans for the coastal defense of the United States and its Territories and possessions provided for the establishment of Naval Coastal Frontiers that would be larger operational commands than the individual Naval Districts.[1] On 1 July 1941, the Chief of Naval Operations formally established several Naval Coastal Frontiers; on 6 February 1942, these were renamed Sea Frontiers. Each Frontier was a geographic area, usually comprising a number of Naval Districts but including in addition the outer shipping lanes in its sea area. The land areas of the Frontiers corresponded roughly to the Army's Defense Commands, but the boundaries were not identical. The Frontier Commander was usually also the commandant of a Naval District within the Frontier. The chief responsibilities of the Sea Frontiers during World War II were operational; Frontier forces engaged actively in scouting for enemy forces, particularly submarines, and in attack on any enemy units within their boundaries. Toward the end of the war the Frontiers were assigned administrative and logistic functions in addition to their operational responsibilities.

Navy General Order No. 143, issued on 3 February 1941, stated that Commandants of United States naval districts and Commanders of Naval Coastal Frontiers have administrative responsibility direct to the Navy Department for local and coastal forces; but Commanders of Naval Coastal Frontiers have task responsibility to the Chief of Naval Operations for Naval Coastal Frontier Forces. (Source Eastern Sea Frontier history, HyperWar)

In addition to the Sea Frontiers under the cognizance of U.S. military authorities, the Canadian Coastal Zone was the responsibility of the Royal Canadian Navy. This formation was very active since the majority of trans-Atlantic convoys originated or terminated in Canadian waters.

List of Sea Frontiers

  • Alaskan Sea Frontier – from 1 January 1947 with the establishment of United States Pacific Command, Task Force 95, Rear Admiral Daubin's Alaskan Sea Frontier, was to operate under the commander-in-chief of the Alaskan Command, Major General Craig.[2] Finally inactivated in 1971 as part of post-Vietnam military reductions. (jber.af.mil/library/factsheets, ALCOM)
  • Caribbean Sea Frontier[3] – The Caribbean Sea Frontier (CARIBSEAFRON) was under the command of Vice Admiral John H. Hoover, Commander Caribbean Sea Frontier or COMCARIBSEAFRON, and the responsibility of the frontier was the protection of Allied shipping in the Caribbean Sea and along the Atlantic Coast of South America during World War II. The German U-Boat made a last bitter stand in the Trinidad area in the fall of 1942. Since then, coastal waters continued to be relatively safe of the U-boat menace.
  • Eastern Sea Frontier[3] – proved to be a "rich hunting ground" for German submarines during early years of the war. See Second Happy Time.
  • Gulf Sea Frontier[3] – Organized 6 February 1942 the Gulf Sea Frontier (GULFSEAFRON) was headquartered at Key West, Florida, and was later moved to Miami, Florida on 17 June 1942. Captain Russell S. Crenshaw was Commander, Gulf Sea Frontier (COMGULFSEAFRON) until 3 June 1942, when he was replaced by Rear Admiral James L. Kauffman.[4] It was responsible for protecting the waters of Florida and the Bahamas as well as the Gulf of Mexico, the Yucatan Channel and areas near Cuba.
  • Hawaiian Sea Frontier[3] – The Hawaiian Sea Frontier (HawSeaFron) was a formation of the United States Navy established during World War II.[5] It was organized to defend the island of Oahu. Vice Admiral David W. Bagley served as COMHAWSEAFRON from 4 April 1942 until July 1943. The Hawaiian Sea Frontier did not actually come into a settled form until September 1942. The Assistant Chief of Staff (HawSeaFron) attempted to mold the organization to a degree similar to the Western Sea Frontier. The difficulty of selecting a site for the joint Operating Center delayed his plans. Originally, it was planned to have a district headquarters in Honolulu, with a part of the building devoted to the Frontier headquarters. When the plan did not prove feasible, it was decided to take two and a half tunnels at the Aliamanu Crater. Because of the limitations of space and the distance from the Commandant's headquarters, the location did not become more than an operational center. Since the Crater was on U.S. Army property, the construction of a Joint Operating Center with a major plot was never accomplished because of the fluctuations of the war and difficulties over appropriations. One service did not desire to build and pay more than its share of expenses from its limited appropriations for the benefit of another service. The Frontier suffered because of its unique location to the Pacific Fleet's sprawling auxiliary, ComServPac. These two echelons determined the number of vessels under its control as well as the complements of manpower. In cases of emergency, units of the Fleet took over convoy and antisubmarine patrols. Just as its surface units were controlled by higher echelons, so also were its air units by Air Forces, Pacific Fleet. The major functions of the Hawaiian Sea Frontier were the maintenance of picket ships outside Pearl Harbor and the Port of Honolulu, the escorting of inter-island shipping, and the establishment of air-sea rescue facilities.
  • Moroccan Sea Frontier – The Morocco Sea Frontier, sometimes called the North Africa Sea Frontier, was a U.S. naval unit on the east coast of French Morocco during World War II. It was established as a Sea Frontier under the command of Rear Admiral John L. Hall, Jr.
  • Northwest Sea Frontier[3] – established as the Pacific Northern Naval Coastal Frontier, became the Northwest Sea Frontier in 1942, with headquarters at Seattle.[1] Its Commander was also Commandant of the Thirteenth Naval District, and its land area coincided with that of the District, which until April 1944. included Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. For administrative and operational purposes the Frontier was divided into the Northwestern and the Alaskan Sectors. In conjunction with the Army the Frontier maintained the Joint Operations Center at Seattle. On 15 April 1944, the Seventeenth Naval District, which consisted of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, was established, and the Northwest Sea Frontier was abolished.
  • Panama Sea Frontier[3]
  • Philippine Sea Frontier – organised after U.S. return to the Philippines in 1944
  • Western Sea Frontier[3] – the Western Sea Frontier (WESTSEAFRON) headquartered in San Francisco, was responsible for the sea defense of the Pacific coast of the United States and Mexico during World War II. The frontier commander was designated Commander, Western Sea Frontier (COMWESTSEAFRON). The Western Sea Frontier was composed of many forces and commands, including the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Naval Districts. The Western Sea Frontier consisted of the Pacific Coastal regions lying west of the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada as well as of Alaska. On 4 April 1942, Rear Admiral David W. Bagley relieved Rear Admiral Claude C. Bloch as Commandant, 14th Naval District, and Commander, Hawaiian Sea Frontier, and he served in that capacity until January 1943. On 1 February 1943, he assumed command of the Western Sea Frontier and, on 30 March 1943, added the duties of Commandant, 11th Naval District. He held the latter office only until January 1944, but continued to head the Western Sea Frontier until the following fall.

Western Sea Frontier's commander also served as commander of the Pacific Reserve Fleet as of 1937–38.[6]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b HyperWar, Federal Records of World War II Volume II Military Records, Part Four, 1083
  2. ^ Hal M. Friedman, 'Arguing over the American Lake: Bureaucracy and Rivalry in the U.S. Pacific, 1945–47' Texas A&M University Press, 2009, ISBN 1-60344-125-5, p.108
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Potter & Nimitz, p.552
  4. ^ Samuel Eliot Morison, 'History of United States Naval Operations in World War II: The Battle of the Atlantic' University of the Illinois Press, 2001, ISBN 0-252-06963-3, p.135
  5. ^ The US Navy and Hawaii: The War Years
  6. ^ The Code of federal regulations of the United States of America having general applicability and legal effect in force 1 June 1938: 1st ed., published by the Division of the Federal register, the National archives, pursuant to section 11 of the Federal register act as amended 19 June 1937 (Google eBook)

References

  • Admiral Ernest J. King, First Report to the Secretary of the Navy: Covering our Peacetime Navy and our Wartime Navy and including combat operations up to 1 March 1944. April 1944, pp. 75–88.
  • Samuel Eliot Morison, History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, The Battle of the Atlantic, 1939–1943. ISBN 0-7858-1302-0
  • Potter, E.B.; Nimitz, Chester W. (1960). Sea Power. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
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