The Nation : Navy Panel Reinstituted

Navy Secretary James H. Webb, armed with the findings of an internal investigation, overturned a decision by his predecessor that had led to rebellion within the ranks over promotion procedures. Webb said he had reviewed the work of a promotion board that selected a new group of captains and concluded “the board did not act contrary to law or regulation.” Webb’s predecessor, John F. Lehman Jr., had dismissed the board after charging it had ignored his orders and improperly tried to promote nuclear submariners at the expense of others. The ensuing controversy prompted Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger to order an investigation.