Standley to bring it directly to the President who decided to uphold the status quo and the CNO's limited authority. For his part, Standley never forgave Leahy for contesting him, even trying to prevent him from being appointed as Commander, Battleships, Battle Force. He continued to persist in doing so amid the support of Secretary Claude A. Swanson and the commander of the United States Fleet, Joseph M. Reeves. This was eventually overcome and Leahy assumed his intended position with the rank of vice admiral as planned. From 1935 to 1936 he served as President of the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia. Before being retired, at his own request, on 1 January 1937 and handing over the reins of office to Admiral William D. Leahy, Admiral Standley frequently performed the duties of Acting Secretary of the Navy, due to the declining health of Secretary of the Navy Claude A. Swanson. Standley represented the United States as a delegate to the London Naval Conference between 7 December 1935 to 25 March 1936 and signed that accord on behalf of the United States. In addition, during his tenure as CNO, Standley initiated the Vinson-Trammell Naval Bill that provided for establishing, building, and maintaining the navy at treaty strength. World War II Recalled to active duty on 13 February 1941, Standley served as naval representative on the planning board of the Office of Production Management (OPM) for seven months. After leaving the OPM in the autumn of 1941, Standley served as the American naval member on the Beaverbrook-Harriman Special War Supply Mission to the Soviet Union. Upon his return, Standley became a member of the Navy Board for Production Awards. When President Roosevelt established the Roberts Commission to investigate the attack on Pearl Harbor, he selected Admiral Standley as one of the members of that sensitive body that studied the attack into early 1942. In February 1942, Standley was appointed American Ambassador to the USSR, a post he held into the autumn of 1943. Subsequently, recalled to active duty once more, in March 1944, Standley served in the Office of Strategic Services throughout the remaining period of hostilities. Relieved of all active duty on 31 August 1945, Standley lived in retirement at San Diego, California, until his death on 25 October 1963. Legacy The cruiser was named in his honor. Admiral William Standley State Recreation Area, a California state recreation area,