Reduced

Famed Private Terence Mulvaney, central character in Rudyard Kipling's Soldiers Three stories, used to carry around with him a picture of himself in a Corporal's uniform, and remark sadly: "I was a Corporal once, but I was rejuced."

Last week Capt. Franklin D. Karns and Lieutenant Commander Dupree J. Friedell, of the U. S. S. Colorado, were also reduced though not to the extent of losing their titles. Captain Karns was lowered eight numbers in rank and Lieutenant Commander Friedell lost 25 numbers. Thus Captain Karns, who, after 37 years of unmarred service, was well up on the list of Captains from whom Rear Admirals are chosen, faced at least a postponement of his chance to fly an Admiral's flag.

The two officers were court-martialed on charges of negligence when, on April 30, the Colorado went aground on Diamond Reef in New York Harbor (TIME, May 9, June 13, 20). Although the ship was piloted by a civilian Navy Yard pilot, one Clark Cottrell, Captain Karns and Lieutenant Commander Friedell were on the bridge when the vessel struck, and were therefore considered to be responsible for the accident.