Ernest King required a surface officer as chief of staff when an aviator commanded, and the reverse, to combine different experience in senior carrier formations. Neither Marc Mitscher nor Burke welcomed the imposed pairing, but working together produced trust. Mitscher supported Burke's temporary promotion to commodore. After the war, Burke reverted to captain and served at the Bureau of Ordnance before returning as Mitscher's chief of staff in 1946-1947. This time Mitscher wanted him back, giving the initially unwelcome appointment a different outcome. Assignment to the Navy's General Board in 1947 then brought Burke into work across the service.
Notable Point · 18:44-22:30
Burke and Mitscher's fast-carrier staff partnership
Burke's move from destroyer command to Mitscher's fast-carrier staff shows how Ernest King deliberately combined aviation and surface expertise.