The Nation : Lehman Action Reversed

In a slap at former Navy Secretary John F. Lehman Jr., the Pentagon approved the recommendations of a Navy board promoting almost 300 commanders to the rank of captain, reversing Lehman’s Feb. 19 decision to throw out the promotions because he claimed they were unfairly distributed. Lehman’s successor, James H. Webb, said he agreed with a study by the Pentagon inspector general that Lehman had “exceeded his authority” when he rejected the promotions and dissolved the promotion board. Lehman had charged that the promotions unfairly aided submarine officers at the expense of other branches.