Captain McCrea's War: The World War II Memoir of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Naval Aide and USS Iowa's First Commanding Officer

by John L. McCrea, Julia C. Tobey (Editor), Craig Symonds (Foreword by)

Overview

World War II from a Leader Who Saw the War from Both the White House and the Bridge of a Battleship

Vice Admiral John L. McCrea worked with the president of the United States on difficult and unusual assignments, associated with royalty and world-famous political and military leaders, and he commanded the USS Iowa and a task force in the Pacific. Over the years, many urged him to write a book, and before his passing he finally recorded his reminiscences. Captain McCrea’s War captures his amazing tales from the World War II years.

After the United States entered the war, McCrea served as a naval aide to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, where he set up the White House Map Room (later known as the Situation Room) and Shangri-La (now called Camp David). He supplied material for the president’s fireside chats, helped arrange the Casablanca Conference, and worked with such prominent leaders as Winston Churchill and General Douglas MacArthur.

Despite his important work for the president, McCrea yearned for sea duty. Persuading FDR to release him from the White House, he was given command of the USS Iowa, the country’s newest and largest battleship. With his new ship, McCrea transported Roosevelt and the joint chiefs of staff across the Atlantic for the Tehran Conference and fought with the Fast Carrier Task Force in the Pacific. Captain McCrea’s War ends in April 1945, when McCrea was summoned back to Washington after President Roosevelt’s death.

Skyhorse Publishing, along with our Arcade, Good Books, Sports Publishing, and Yucca imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. Our list includes biographies on well-known historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, Nelson Mandela, and Alexander Graham Bell, as well as villains from history, such as Heinrich Himmler, John Wayne Gacy, and O. J. Simpson. We have also published survivor stories of World War II, memoirs about overcoming adversity, first-hand tales of adventure, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781510713246
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	11/15/2016
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	316
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Vice Admiral John L. McCrea graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1915 and saw active duty in both World War I and World War II. He served as naval aide to FDR and was the first commander of the USS Iowa. After WWII he served as deputy commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet. He died in 1990, at the age of 98, in Needham, Massachusetts.

Julia C. Tobey worked as an editor, writer, and researcher before earning a law degree. Her stepfather was Vice Admiral John L. McCrea. After retiring from her law practice, she edited McCrea’s reminiscences to create this memoir. Tobey lives in New York, New York.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

The United States Goes to War

Everyone old enough to remember the attack on Pearl Harbor has his tale to tell about what he was doing that day. This is mine. On the morning of 7 December 1941, a Sunday, I noted in the paper that newsreels of the Army-Navy football game would be shown at the Trans-Lux Theater that afternoon. My daughter Meredith and I thought it would be fun to go.

After lunch, we took off for downtown Washington. I stopped at the Army-Navy Club to cash a check. While I was at the desk, a brother officer who lived at the club came rushing down the stairs and asked if I was headed for the Navy Department. I countered that I was taking my daughter to the movies.

"Evidently you haven't heard, John," said he. "Pearl Harbor is under enemy attack."

Of course, that called for an immediate change in plans. Meredith assured me she could make her way home by public transportation. My friend and I drove to the Navy Department in my Ford.

Arriving at the department, I found that my boss, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Stark, was already there. As was his habit, he had come to the office on Sunday morning to work. When I entered his office, he was trying to establish long-distance scrambler contact with Admiral Claude C. Bloch, commandant of the Fourteenth Naval District at Pearl Harbor. At Admiral Stark's direction, I manned the telephone on my desk, which had a switch to Admiral Stark's line. After some little delay, contact was made with Admiral Bloch. The conversation went something like this.

"Claude," said Admiral Stark, "tell me all you can about the attack. Is the damage severe?"

"Betty, how secure is this scrambler telephone?"

"I really don't know, but go ahead, Claude, and give me all the information you can."

"The damage is severe, Betty, but at this moment I can't tell you how severe. I can only talk in generalities."

And then Admiral Bloch proceeded to give us one bit of bad news after another. Finally, Admiral Bloch said, "If anyone other than Admiral Stark and I have overheard this conversation, I beg of them, as loyal citizens, to keep the nature of this conversation to themselves." I scratched out a longhand memorandum of the conversation and gave it to Admiral Stark. He disappeared down the corridor to the office of Frank Knox, secretary of the navy.

At a free moment, I called my wife, Estelle, to find out if Meredith had made it home. I told Estelle to get out my service uniforms, because an order was going out that afternoon that all naval personnel from here on would be in uniform. "No, I don't know when I'll be home. I'll let you know when I leave the office. Keep tuned to your radio. You're bound to hear items of interest."

The telephone jangled all afternoon as more information became available. There were a number of telephone calls between Admiral Stark and Admiral Bloch. I monitored all these calls and prepared memoranda about the details. Admiral Stark called Captain John Beardall, naval aide to President Roosevelt, so that Beardall could keep the president informed. The admiral also made many visits to the office of Secretary Knox.

The extent of the damage was staggering. The only positive news was that the Japanese had not attacked the navy yard installation or the tank farm, where thousands and thousands of barrels of fuel oil were stored.

Between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m., Admiral Bloch called again with more information. I wrote up another memorandum and took it in to Admiral Stark.

"John," said he, "run this down to the secretary. He has seen enough of me this afternoon. Besides, I am a bit weary." I proceeded to the secretary's office and announced that I had a memorandum for him. "Go right in," said the officer in the secretary's outer office.

I entered the secretary's inner office, but I did not see him. I stood there a moment or two, unsure of what to do. I thought I heard a noise coming from his washroom. I coughed to make my presence known, and Secretary Knox stuck his head out of the washroom.

"Oh, it's you, Captain," said he. "Come right in. Come right in. This has been a strenuous afternoon, and I was preparing a small drink of bourbon for myself in the hopes that it would raise my spirits a bit. Won't you join me?"

"Well, Mr. Secretary," said I, "I have never had a drink in the Navy Department, but I agree that this has been a strenuous afternoon. Of course, I can hardly decline an invitation from my chief."

The secretary had the bottle in his hand, and he poured a drink for himself and one for me. He raised his glass and said, "Now that the war is here, despite its tragic start," said he, "I am counting on the navy to acquit itself well."

"I can drink to that, Mr. Secretary," said I. And between sips, we discussed the happenings of the day and the memo that I had in my hand.

In due course, I thanked the secretary for his hospitality and withdrew. I went immediately to acquaint Admiral Stark with the details of my visit. "I was wondering what was keeping you," he said, with a smile on his face and in his voice. "It's been a rugged afternoon, hasn't it?" I had to agree.

One of the visitors to the office early that evening was Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner. He went in to see Admiral Stark and stayed a considerable time. On his way out, he stopped to speak to me.

"You will recall that shortly after I reported as chief of war plans, I detailed you to watchdog duty to keep people out of my office. Now that war has arrived, Admiral Stark will be busier than ever. He will have much to do, and he will have to do a lot of thinking. Because of Admiral Stark's nature, it's going to be very hard for him to say 'no' to visitors. You must keep people out of his hair." Admiral Turner was most emphatic.

"That's a big job," I responded. "I can do my best to persuade people not to go in, but lacking an order to do so, my position wouldn't be very sound."

"I'll think about it," said Admiral Turner.

I got home between 2:30 and 3:00 a.m. and snatched a couple of hours' sleep. Then I got into uniform and went back to the office. On my desk, I found a memorandum to the effect that, because of hostilities, the availability of the chief of naval operations would be sharply limited, and anyone who wished to see Admiral Stark should call Captain McCrea regarding an appointment.

I had hardly finished reading when Admiral Turner appeared in my office. He told me that the evening before he had counseled Admiral Stark that he must conserve time and energy and he needed to work without distractions. Pointing to the memorandum, Turner said, "I whipped this up last night, and right now some 900 copies are being distributed in the Navy Department. Let me know as soon as Admiral Stark comes in. I wish to tell him what I have done. I think he will approve."

A few days later, after I had learned more details about the Japanese attack, I recalled the evening in January 1941 when Admiral Hart and I had discussed Japan's high-ranking naval officers. Admiral Hart's intelligence officer, Commander Redfield "Rosie" Mason, was also present. I had suggested it might be of interest to have thumbnail sketches of the flag officers most likely to be met in combat, should war occur. They came up with sketches of six officers.

I checked my trip notes to see whether Admiral Yamamoto had been one of the officers discussed that night. He was number two on the list. My notes read:

Energetic. Highly able. Bold in contrast to most, who are inclined to be cautious. Decisive. He has an American viewpoint. Formerly naval attaché in Washington. London Arms Conference delegate. Well versed in international affairs. A wounded veteran, having lost two fingers at Tsushima. Highly thought of by rank and file of the Orange Navy. Personally likes Americans. Plays excellent bridge and poker. Alert in every way. Very air-minded.

I was impressed with the accuracy of the sketch.

Of course, my friend Admiral Kimmel was in command of the naval forces at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese attack. He was relieved of command immediately afterward and subsequently blamed for many of the navy's failures in connection with the attack. My heart went out to him. I know of no one who worked harder at being a good naval officer. In my opinion, if we had had Horatio Nelson and Napoleon Bonaparte out there, Pearl Harbor would still have happened as it did. The country simply wasn't ready for it.

Events moved rapidly during the month of December. During Christmas week, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the British joint chiefs arrived in the United States in a large and heavily armed Royal Navy ship. The ship anchored in Annapolis Roads, a short distance from the Naval Academy. President Roosevelt drove to Annapolis to welcome the prime minister. On their arrival in Washington, the prime minister took up residence in the White House. He set up his traveling war room, and he was in business.

On Sunday, 23 December, Admiral Stark called to say that the president had called a conference at the White House for 6:00 p.m. that evening, and the admiral wished me to accompany him. The meeting was held in the president's second-floor study. Admiral Stark introduced me to the president. We were all introduced to the prime minister, who in turn introduced his chiefs of staff.

The president presided at the meeting. After a few general remarks, he announced that the prime minister would acquaint us with his views on the current crisis. This the PM did, with his well-publicized eloquence. He deplored the despicable philosophy of Nazism and the violence that it had produced on the continent. "Our immediate objective is to destroy the economy of the enemy, which enables it to support its military operations. With this accomplished, our next objective should be to meet the enemy on the continent and bring about its total military destruction."

The meeting lasted an hour or so. A drink was had, and a cracker or two. When the group broke up, Admiral Stark and I walked back to the Navy Department. On the way he said, "Well, John, what did you think of it?" After stumbling a bit, I remarked that I had had the privilege of attending a historic conference, for which I thanked him. He agreed that the conference might well be considered historic.

A senior British-U.S. military group — that is, the British joint chiefs and U.S. representatives of the army and navy — commenced a series of meetings the very next afternoon. The U.S. leaders were the chief of staff of the army, General George Marshall, and the chief of naval operations, Admiral Stark. The British joint chiefs were First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, chief of the Royal Navy; Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal, chief of the Royal Air Force; and the head of the British Army, Field Marshal Sir Alan F. Brooke, whose title was chief of the Imperial General Staff.

General Marshall designated Colonel William Sexton to be the army's secretary at these meetings. Admiral Stark designated me as secretary for the navy. This was the first time I had ever done anything along that line, and I was far from pleased with my performance.

While these meetings were going on, matters of personal importance took place. On the afternoon of 2 January 1942, I was at my desk struggling with my notes of the meetings when Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, chief of the Bureau of Navigation, stuck his head in my office door. "John, how fast can you move?"

"Awfully fast," said I, quickly on my feet, "especially if it's the cruiser command that I understand Captain Carpender has been saving for me."

"Well," said Admiral Jacobs, "forget the cruiser, John. But it's an important job just the same."

The door closed and he was off, leaving me in a state of wonderment. My little secretary, the charming Miss Margaret Dudley, said, "What does he mean?"

"I wish I knew," was my reply.

In about ten minutes, Admiral Jacobs returned. He handed me a copy of a memorandum signed by the secretary of the navy, which stated:

Memorandum for the President

It is my desire to appoint Captain John R. Beardall, U.S. Navy, at present serving as your naval aide, to the recently vacated position of superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, provided such appointment is satisfactory to you. I nominate as his relief in his present position as your naval aide, Captain John L. McCrea, U.S. Navy. Captain McCrea has served in naval operations for a period of about fifteen months and for the past seven months has been aide to the chief of naval operations. He is thoroughly conversant with the present state of naval affairs. His professional record and his personality are such as to indicate that he would be an excellent naval aide for you.

Frank Knox

Before I had finished reading, Admiral Jacobs had gone.

As far as I knew, Admiral Stark knew nothing of this memorandum. I immediately entered his office. Admiral Ernest J. King was with him, engaged in friendly conversation. Getting straight to the point, I told Admiral Stark about the memorandum and said I did not know how it had come about. I told him about the promised cruiser command. Then I listed rather heatedly all my reasons for not wishing to go to the White House, including my view that the assignment would be an expensive one that I could not afford.

Both admirals King and Stark sat there quietly until I had finished. Admiral Stark remarked, "I have been aware of this proposal for some days. Admiral King and I agree that you should be made available to the president. We talked it over with the secretary, and that is how this memorandum came to be. We both wish you luck."

At this point, Admiral King broke in crisply, saying, "This country is at war, and you can afford anything your assignment might require. Besides, you will get a modest additional aide's allowance in that job."

As to Admiral King's first remark, I thought it well not to remind him that it had been common knowledge around the Navy Department that he had not so long ago left a Washington assignment early because he couldn't afford Washington duty. As to an allowance, I quickly responded that there was no allowance for the job of naval aide to the president. That was a surprise to Admiral King.

At this point, Admiral Stark joined the conversation. "I'm sure that the president will accept you as his naval aide, and, in that event, I think it wise for me to give you a bit of advice that I think you need. When you are naval aide to the president, and you find yourself in disagreement with him, I recommend that you not raise your voice to him as you do to me when you disagree with me."

Of course, I was taken aback. Admiral Stark laughed lightly. Admiral King smiled somewhat. I remarked, "Admiral Stark, if I raised my voice to you, it was not in any way in disrespect. If I raised my voice, it was because of my earnestness in whatever proposition that I was supporting. And I am grateful to you for the caution that you have just given me." All three of us laughed, and the incident was over. I withdrew.

On 3 January 1942, the secretary's memorandum to the president was returned to the secretary. On it, in large capital letters in the president's handwriting, was the notation:

FK OK FDR
My orders for this change of duty were carried out on 16 January 1942. And that is how I came to go to the White House as naval aide to FDR.

CHAPTER 2

Reporting to the President

The first person I met at the White House when I reported as naval aide was Major General Edwin M. Watson, the president's military aide. No one around the White House ever addressed him by his military title. He was known to everybody simply as "Pa"— Pa Watson. He had known the president as a young officer, and a high degree of rapport existed between them.

Pa came from Virginia. He talked with a Southern drawl, radiating goodwill and cheer with every word. Pa's father was a tobacconist who made some of his own products. His specialty was chewing tobacco. Pa delighted in telling that one of his father's most successful creations was a chewing plug named "Little Edwin" after him. "People started chewing me when I was just a little shaver, and they've been doing it ever since," he would say, followed with an uproarious laugh.

When President Roosevelt was elected in 1932, he requested that the army assign Pa as his military aide. Pa joined the president in that capacity in March 1933 and continued there until his death at sea, returning from the Yalta Conference in the early spring of 1945.

In addition to serving as the military aide, whose duties in peacetime were none too arduous, Pa was the president's appointments secretary. He liked the job immensely, and he was good at it. Almost everyone in Washington wanted to see the president at one time or other. Probably not one in a hundred ever made it.

It was a real circus to hear Pa on the telephone saying "no" to a would-be presidential visitor. "Now, Ernie"— I pick this name at random —"I can't tell you how good it is to hear your voice. What have you been doing lately with yourself?" and on and on.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Captain McCrea's War"
by .
Copyright © 2016 Julia C. Tobey.
Excerpted by permission of Skyhorse Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Foreword,
Preface,
Introduction,
Chapter 1: The United States Goes to War,
Chapter 2: Reporting to the President,
Chapter 3: Zeroing In,
Chapter 4: The Map Room,
Chapter 5: Press Relations,
Chapter 6: Yarn: A Lesson on the White House Steps,
Chapter 7: Foreign Relations,
Chapter 8: Informal Diplomacy,
Chapter 9: White House Visitors,
Chapter 10: Yarn: A Tour of Hyde Park,
Chapter 11: Special Jobs,
Chapter 12: FDR,
Chapter 13: Sea Duty and War Production,
Chapter 14: The Invasion of North Africa and Preparations for the Casablanca Conference,
Chapter 15: The Casablanca Conference,
Chapter 16: Return to the White House and Detachment,
Chapter 17: Iowa Goes into Commission,
Chapter 18: Shakedown,
Chapter 19: Aground,
Chapter 20: Plans for a Secret Mission,
Chapter 21: Voyage to Algeria,
Chapter 22: Three Transatlantic Crossings,
Chapter 23: War Preparations,
Chapter 24: Iowa Joins the Fight,
Chapter 25: The War in the North Pacific,
Afterword,
Endnotes,
Bibliography,
Acknowledgments,
Index,
Photos,

Editorial Reviews

“Readers of World War II history will applaud Julia C. Tobey’s act of love in preserving the memory of her stepfather. From his vantage point in the White House, at the Casablanca Conference with an array of world leaders, and in the pilothouse of one of America’s great battleships, John C. McCrea gives a compellingly candid view of events that will interest any student of World War II. Captain McCrea’s War is a fascinating look at the burdens of command at sea and the perils of high diplomacy in war. ”
—James D. Hornfischer, author of The Fleet at Flood Tide: America at Total War in the Pacific, 1944-1945

“McCrea began World War II as a staff man, rising to the position of Franklin Roosevelt’s naval aide, then assigned to command of the newly commissioned battleship USS Iowa. He depicts the problems of getting 50,000 tons of capital ship ready for war as no less a challenge than following the president from conference to conference and taking accurate notes. A skilled and engaging raconteur, McCrea offers an unusual insight into the everyday routines of war even at its highest levels.”
—Dennis Showalter, author of Armor and Blood: The Battle of Kursk, the Turning Point of World War II

“Captain McCrea’s War stands fair to supersede all others as the most touchingly human portrait of Franklin Roosevelt in World War II. Written as beautifully-narrated reminiscences in a modest, old world style, McCrea takes the reader through a unique naval journey: from the U.S. Navy Department to the President’s side as his naval aide in 1942—a job that climaxes as he accompanies FDR on his historic trip to the Casablanca conference in January 1943. Not content with this, McCrea then insisted on going back to sea, when he took combat command of the navy’s latest battleship, the USS Iowa. For both general readers interested in WWII and historians of the presidency this book is a priceless gem.”
—Nigel Hamilton, author of the FDR at War trilogy

“Few people were closer to President Roosevelt than his naval aide, Admiral John McCrea. If you want to know FDR as a person—his character, his decency—read this book. McCrea, a tough-minded patriot, a conservative career naval officer, by the time he left the White House to assume command of the battleship IOWA, saw FDR as ‘a great and good man’ and a brilliant wartime leader. Historians generally agree that Franklin Roosevelt was the greatest President of the 20th century. This memoir helps us understand why.”
—William Vanden Heuvel, founder, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute; former US Ambassador to the United Nations

“I highly recommend Vice Admiral John L. McCrea’s memoirs, with a superb introduction by Julia C. Tobey. As a historian of Japan’s entry into a war it could not win, two entries, among many fascinating ones, caught my attention. First, McCrea’s description of the 1941 visit of Ambassador Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura to the US Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Harold Stark, during which the ambassador told Stark that he himself did not believe Japan had the resources to defeat the United States in a war, but that the decision makers in Tokyo did not seem to understand Japan’s limitations. Second, McCrea’s January 1941 sketch of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the Japanese officer who stated repeatedly that Japan could not defeat the United States in a long war, but then planned the attack on Pearl Harbor that insured the war would be long. This book is an important read for anyone interested in World War II in the Pacific because it gives the on-the-spot, wartime views of an important and well-placed US naval officer.”
—Richard J. Smethurst, professor of history, University of Pittsburgh

“Admiral McCrea’s memoir sheds new light on the inner workings of the FDR administration. As naval aide to the thirty-second president, McCrea had daily access to Roosevelt and grew to love the man for his ineffable mix of jaunty optimism, bubbly good cheer and knife-at-the-throat cunning. Running the U.S. government has never been easy, and it may have been most difficult during World War II. McCrea describes how Roosevelt stopped leaks at their source, maneuvered personnel, and kept a firm grip on policy and strategy, without ever losing his delightful wit and charm.”
—Geoffrey Wawro, author of Quicksand: America’s Pursuit of Power in the Middle East

“McCrea’s World War II memoir is that of a man who found himself in the right place at the right time. This book provides an unprecedented look into the inner workings of the White House at an important moment in history. We are fortunate that in later years, McCrea made it a point to record his memories of his experiences. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the strategic direction of World War II.”
—Bill Yenne, author of Panic on the Pacific

“Captain John McCrea’s well-crafted memoirs offer an insightful behind-the-scenes look into the workings of the Roosevelt White House and McCrea’s command of one of America’s greatest battleships, as well as sound advice for successful leadership.”
—Walter R. Borneman, author of The Admirals and MacArthur at War

“An immensely important memoir by one of FDR’s inner circle of wartime military advisers. Filled with colorful and insightful anecdotes about the small ‘band of brothers’ who masterminded Allied victory over the Axis, Captain McCrea’s War will be an essential source for all future biographers of FDR, and for historians of the Second World War.”
—Ian Toll, author of The Conquering Tide: War in the Pacific Islands, 1942–1944

“Readers of World War II history will applaud Julia C. Tobey’s act of love in preserving the memory of her stepfather. From his vantage point in the White House, at the Casablanca Conference with an array of world leaders, and in the pilothouse of one of America’s great battleships, John C. McCrea gives a compellingly candid view of events that will interest any student of World War II. Captain McCrea’s War is a fascinating look at the burdens of command at sea and the perils of high diplomacy in war. ”
—James D. Hornfischer, author of The Fleet at Flood Tide: America at Total War in the Pacific, 1944-1945

“McCrea began World War II as a staff man, rising to the position of Franklin Roosevelt’s naval aide, then assigned to command of the newly commissioned battleship USS Iowa. He depicts the problems of getting 50,000 tons of capital ship ready for war as no less a challenge than following the president from conference to conference and taking accurate notes. A skilled and engaging raconteur, McCrea offers an unusual insight into the everyday routines of war even at its highest levels.”
—Dennis Showalter, author of Armor and Blood: The Battle of Kursk, the Turning Point of World War II

“Captain McCrea’s War stands fair to supersede all others as the most touchingly human portrait of Franklin Roosevelt in World War II. Written as beautifully-narrated reminiscences in a modest, old world style, McCrea takes the reader through a unique naval journey: from the U.S. Navy Department to the President’s side as his naval aide in 1942—a job that climaxes as he accompanies FDR on his historic trip to the Casablanca conference in January 1943. Not content with this, McCrea then insisted on going back to sea, when he took combat command of the navy’s latest battleship, the USS Iowa. For both general readers interested in WWII and historians of the presidency this book is a priceless gem.”
—Nigel Hamilton, author of the FDR at War trilogy

“Few people were closer to President Roosevelt than his naval aide, Admiral John McCrea. If you want to know FDR as a person—his character, his decency—read this book. McCrea, a tough-minded patriot, a conservative career naval officer, by the time he left the White House to assume command of the battleship IOWA, saw FDR as ‘a great and good man’ and a brilliant wartime leader. Historians generally agree that Franklin Roosevelt was the greatest President of the 20th century. This memoir helps us understand why.”
—William Vanden Heuvel, founder, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute; former US Ambassador to the United Nations

“I highly recommend Vice Admiral John L. McCrea’s memoirs, with a superb introduction by Julia C. Tobey. As a historian of Japan’s entry into a war it could not win, two entries, among many fascinating ones, caught my attention. First, McCrea’s description of the 1941 visit of Ambassador Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura to the US Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Harold Stark, during which the ambassador told Stark that he himself did not believe Japan had the resources to defeat the United States in a war, but that the decision makers in Tokyo did not seem to understand Japan’s limitations. Second, McCrea’s January 1941 sketch of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the Japanese officer who stated repeatedly that Japan could not defeat the United States in a long war, but then planned the attack on Pearl Harbor that insured the war would be long. This book is an important read for anyone interested in World War II in the Pacific because it gives the on-the-spot, wartime views of an important and well-placed US naval officer.”
—Richard J. Smethurst, professor of history, University of Pittsburgh

“Admiral McCrea’s memoir sheds new light on the inner workings of the FDR administration. As naval aide to the thirty-second president, McCrea had daily access to Roosevelt and grew to love the man for his ineffable mix of jaunty optimism, bubbly good cheer and knife-at-the-throat cunning. Running the U.S. government has never been easy, and it may have been most difficult during World War II. McCrea describes how Roosevelt stopped leaks at their source, maneuvered personnel, and kept a firm grip on policy and strategy, without ever losing his delightful wit and charm.”
—Geoffrey Wawro, author of Quicksand: America’s Pursuit of Power in the Middle East

“McCrea’s World War II memoir is that of a man who found himself in the right place at the right time. This book provides an unprecedented look into the inner workings of the White House at an important moment in history. We are fortunate that in later years, McCrea made it a point to record his memories of his experiences. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the strategic direction of World War II.”
—Bill Yenne, author of Panic on the Pacific

“Captain John McCrea’s well-crafted memoirs offer an insightful behind-the-scenes look into the workings of the Roosevelt White House and McCrea’s command of one of America’s greatest battleships, as well as sound advice for successful leadership.”
—Walter R. Borneman, author of The Admirals and MacArthur at War

“An immensely important memoir by one of FDR’s inner circle of wartime military advisers. Filled with colorful and insightful anecdotes about the small ‘band of brothers’ who masterminded Allied victory over the Axis, Captain McCrea’s War will be an essential source for all future biographers of FDR, and for historians of the Second World War.”
—Ian Toll, author of The Conquering Tide: War in the Pacific Islands, 1942–1944

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