Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy - Ludwig von Mises ...

406 Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy
his energy to his job and had “made the dispositions” he considered
called for. He could not “reproach [himself ] for any lack of
eff ort.” He had been “willing to accept [all this] for the good of
the country out of [his] loyalty to the Nation.” But he did “think
that in all justice the department should do nothing further to
infl ame the public against” him. He thought he was “entitled to
some consideration even though” some may have believed he had
“erred grievously.” 135
Kimmel was retired eff ective March 1 after more than 40
years of service in the Navy. 136 On or about that date Kimmel was
notifi ed
through the public press . . . that the Secretary of the Navy
had directed that charges and specifi cations be prepared to
bring [him] to trial by General Court Martial at some future
time. 137
Kimmel and Short Find Post-Attack Positions
Contributing to the War Effort
Both men soon found civilian positions in which they could
contribute to the war eff ort. Short became head of the traffi c
department at the Ford Motor Company plant in Dallas, Texas,
which was devoted entirely to making war equipment. 138 Kimmel
took a position with a New York fi rm of consulting marine engineers,
Frederick R. Harris, Inc., where he helped design the fi rst
135 Ibid.
136Ibid., part 33, pp. 691–92. Kimmel’s statement to the NCI.
137Th e NewYork Times, August 11, 1942, p. 4.
138Ibid., September 4, 1949, p. 49. Short’s obituary.