It was common for Christie to greet a returning submarine at the pier, and to award decorations to the crew on the spot.
This bypassed naval award boards, and annoyed Kinkaid and Lockwood, possibly because confirmation of sinkings was accomplished by Ultra, the reading of coded Japanese radio traffic, and news of awards given so quickly could constitute a security breach.
Complicating the matter was the fact MacArthur awarded army decorations to naval personnel; like Christie, he took it upon himself to authorize the decorations rather than to go through the standard review procedures.
These events compelled Kinkaid to forbid Christie to give pierside awards, and to keep Christie from recommending the award of army medals to navy personnel.
These events would ultimately contribute to Christie's dismissal as Commander of Submarines in Fremantle.

In early 1944, Christie decided he wanted to make a war patrol and selected to ride with Walt Griffith in USS Bowfin.
The admiral joined the boat on 29 January 1944 and, during the patrol, conducted standard duties such as standing watch.
He departed Bowfin after an active 29-day patrol.
In June 1944, Christie decided he wanted to make a second patrol, and selected USS Guitarro.
However, that boat was having engine troubles, so Christie decided to go in USS Harder, commanded by Samuel D. Dealey.
Dealey had just finished up Harder's epic fifth war patrol, in which he was credited with sinking five Japanese destroyers (reduced post-war to three destroyers).
Despite the fact the crew was exhausted, Dealey agreed to extend his fifth patrol and take Christie on board.
When Harder returned to port on 3 July 1944, Christie was concerned about its commander.
Dealey was one of the leading submarine skippers but, having completed five war patrols, he was showing signs of strain.
The admiral believed Dealey should step down from command of Harder, but Dealey felt he should make one more patrol before leaving the boat.

After Christie's return from his second combat patrol, Admiral Chester Nimitz recommended he and Lockwood meet in Brisbane and discuss joint submarine operations.
During the visit, Lockwood and Christie discussed technical issues, as well as the establishment of advanced bases in Mios Woendi and Saipan.
However, the meeting also resulted in some kind of personal rift between the two men.
They had already clashed over the Mark 6 exploder and the Mark 14 torpedo, and some of Lockwood's staff believed Christie's ride in Harder was a risky and unnecessary stunt.
After meeting with Lockwood, Christie met with MacArthur and related the events of Dealey's fifth war patrol to the general.
MacArthur then decided to award Dealey a Distinguished Service Cross, and Christie the Silver Star.
Additionally at this meeting, Christie found out his earlier recommendation for an army decoration to Griffith had apparently been blocked by Kinkaid.
Despite Kinkaid's order regarding army decorations, MacArthur insisted on granting medals to the two men.
Although Christie did not request the decorations, he was put on the spot and felt compelled to report the entire affair to Kinkaid.
In the end, the general awarded the medals, displeasing Kinkaid.

On 5 August, Dealey took Harder out for a sixth patrol.
His former executive officer, Frank C. "Tiny" Lynch, believed Dealey was mentally exhausted.
Christie also had reservations, but Dealey seemed to recuperate while Harder was being refitted in port.
The admiral therefore allowed Dealey to retain command.
On 24 August, Harder was sunk with all hands off Dasol Bay.
Dealey's loss was a great shock to Christie, and the event worsened his relationship with Kinkaid.
Christie recommended Dealey for the Medal of Honor for Harder's fifth patrol and the supposed sinking of five Japanese destroyers.
Kinkaid turned down the recommendation on the grounds Dealey had already received the Distinguished Service Cross for the same patrol.
Christie was angered by this, and sent dispatches to Admiral Edwards, MacArthur, and Kinkaid himself.
The radio dispatch to Kinkaid wa
It was common for Christie to greet a returning submarine at the pier, and to award decorations to the crew on the spot. This bypassed naval award boards, and annoyed Kinkaid and Lockwood, possibly because confirmation of sinkings was accomplished by Ultra, the reading of coded Japanese radio traffic, and news of awards given so quickly could constitute a security breach. Complicating the matter was the fact MacArthur awarded army decorations to naval personnel; like Christie, he took it upon himself to authorize the decorations rather than to go through the standard review procedures. These events compelled Kinkaid to forbid Christie to give pierside awards, and to keep Christie from recommending the award of army medals to navy personnel. These events would ultimately contribute to Christie's dismissal as Commander of Submarines in Fremantle.
In early 1944, Christie decided he wanted to make a war patrol and selected to ride with Walt Griffith in USS Bowfin. The admiral joined the boat on 29 January 1944 and, during the patrol, conducted standard duties such as standing watch. He departed Bowfin after an active 29-day patrol. In June 1944, Christie decided he wanted to make a second patrol, and selected USS Guitarro. However, that boat was having engine troubles, so Christie decided to go in USS Harder, commanded by Samuel D. Dealey. Dealey had just finished up Harder's epic fifth war patrol, in which he was credited with sinking five Japanese destroyers (reduced post-war to three destroyers). Despite the fact the crew was exhausted, Dealey agreed to extend his fifth patrol and take Christie on board. When Harder returned to port on 3 July 1944, Christie was concerned about its commander. Dealey was one of the leading submarine skippers but, having completed five war patrols, he was showing signs of strain. The admiral believed Dealey should step down from command of Harder, but Dealey felt he should make one more patrol before leaving the boat.
After Christie's return from his second combat patrol, Admiral Chester Nimitz recommended he and Lockwood meet in Brisbane and discuss joint submarine operations. During the visit, Lockwood and Christie discussed technical issues, as well as the establishment of advanced bases in Mios Woendi and Saipan. However, the meeting also resulted in some kind of personal rift between the two men. They had already clashed over the Mark 6 exploder and the Mark 14 torpedo, and some of Lockwood's staff believed Christie's ride in Harder was a risky and unnecessary stunt. After meeting with Lockwood, Christie met with MacArthur and related the events of Dealey's fifth war patrol to the general. MacArthur then decided to award Dealey a Distinguished Service Cross, and Christie the Silver Star. Additionally at this meeting, Christie found out his earlier recommendation for an army decoration to Griffith had apparently been blocked by Kinkaid. Despite Kinkaid's order regarding army decorations, MacArthur insisted on granting medals to the two men. Although Christie did not request the decorations, he was put on the spot and felt compelled to report the entire affair to Kinkaid. In the end, the general awarded the medals, displeasing Kinkaid.
On 5 August, Dealey took Harder out for a sixth patrol. His former executive officer, Frank C. "Tiny" Lynch, believed Dealey was mentally exhausted. Christie also had reservations, but Dealey seemed to recuperate while Harder was being refitted in port. The admiral therefore allowed Dealey to retain command. On 24 August, Harder was sunk with all hands off Dasol Bay. Dealey's loss was a great shock to Christie, and the event worsened his relationship with Kinkaid. Christie recommended Dealey for the Medal of Honor for Harder's fifth patrol and the supposed sinking of five Japanese destroyers. Kinkaid turned down the recommendation on the grounds Dealey had already received the Distinguished Service Cross for the same patrol. Christie was angered by this, and sent dispatches to Admiral Edwards, MacArthur, and Kinkaid himself. The radio dispatch to Kinkaid wa
Ralph Waldo Christie