the runways as a precaution against sabotage. In May 1942, Bellinger was appointed Commander, Patrol Aircraft, Pacific Fleet under Admiral Chester Nimitz. He helped plan the Battle at Midway and Nimitz sent him to Washington, D.C. in July 1942 to deliver his reorganization plan for Naval aviation in the Pacific to Admiral Ernest J. King, the Chief of Naval Operations. While there, Bellinger undertook a routine physical examination at Bethesda Naval Hospital, which discovered that he had a mild heart condition. His combat career ended and he was ordered to less stressful assignment. Duty with Atlantic Fleet King called Nimitz and arranged for Bellinger to be the his Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Fleet. Bellinger now had the opportunity to fight for better organization of Naval aviation again. He proposed to King to create a new position of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air and following the presidential approval, King ask Bellinger who he would recommend for the position. He suggested Rear admiral Alva D. Bernhard, who served as Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic at the time. King agreed and Bellinger assumed Bernhard's former position in March 1943. The major problem of the Atlantic Fleet were German U-boats, which threatened allied supply convoys and sunk more than 5.7 million tons of merchant shipping. Bellinger established Anti-Submarine Warfare Detachment that taught pilots the latest Anti-Submarine Warfare tactics, tested new devices, and equipped planes with a microwave search radar. He also created Combat Information Centers and Fighter Director Officer Teams aboard his carriers. Bellinger was promoted to the rank of Vice admiral on October 5, 1943. He remained in that capacity until February 1946, when he reported for duty on the General Board of the Navy, the advisory board for strategy and planning. Bellinger also testified before the Roberts Commissions convened to investigate the facts surrounding the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Bellinger was relieved of all active duties on July 7, 1947 and retired on October 1 that year, completing forty years of active service. For his service with the Atlantic Fleet, Bellinger was decorated with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. The Allies bestowed him with Order of the British Empire by King George VI; and Legion of Honour and Croix de guerre 1939–1945 with Palm by General Charles de Gaulle for his efforts during the securing of supply convoys and battle with enemy submarines. Retirement Following his retirement