ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, August 3, 1996 TAG: 9608050052
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
The Senate on Friday confirmed the nomination of Adm. Jay Johnson to be the leader of the Navy, succeeding Adm. Jeremy M. ``Mike'' Boorda, whose May 16 suicide rocked the Navy community.
``In the wake of that tragedy, it will be a challenge for Admiral Johnson,'' said Sen. John Warner, R-Va., a senior member of the Armed Service Committee. ``But having got to know him, having talked to many, many naval officers both active and retired, he is regarded as the man best qualified in the United States Navy today to assume this role of leadership at this time in the Navy's history.''
The new chief of naval operations rises to the Navy's top spot only five months after being appointed second in command behind Boorda.
Johnson, 50, who was confirmed without dissent, is a 1968 graduate of the Naval Academy who won praise as commander of the 2nd Fleet in the U.S. intervention in Haiti. - Associated Press
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