Evening star., 1934-08-19

" throughout the country were
noted during the last lnspec-
ton year, according to re-
port Of the Regular Navy Inspection
Board, made public by the Navy De-
partment. The board consisted last
year of Capt. Carl T. Osburn, Lieut..
Comdr. Oliver o. KeSsing and Lieut..
william G. Tomlinson, all of the reg
ular establishment.
."The board is of the opinion the
report said, that the Fleet Naval Re-
serve Divisions have, with few excep-
tions, continued the general improve
ment noted last year. The military
drills have improved generally. Due to
the extensive use of the Navy training
courses, a general Improvement in the
proficiency of the enlisted men is ap
parent.
Those divisions which have been
able to enlist the interest and support
Of the community were generally found
to be above the average in efficiency
and morale. It is the duty of an
oficer commanding a Reserve unit to
place his organization before the public
in a favorable light in order to secure
the interest and support of the COM
munity with resulting increase in
pride, spirit, drill and cruise atten-
dance and higher type of personnel,
"A general improvement in the
armory facilities continues, especially
in respect to space and equipment for
drill and instruction purposes. In
many cases much resourcefulness has
been shown in Stimulating shipboard
conditions and in providing the means
for drill and instruction. For those
units that are still handicapped by
lack Of sufficient space, but make up
for it by an application Of energy and
initiative In making the best of exist
ing conditions, the board has made
due allowance. Some divisions have
been allotted public works funds for
new armories and improvement Of
present armories.
1.-The practice was continued of
holding many organized voluntary
drills in addition to the paid drills
allowed as the additional periods we're
required to provide adequate ground
training to augment flight training in
the Naval Aviation Reserve.
1.-THE board is of the opinion that
the reduced flight syllabus was made
quate to maintain the proficiency of
feet Reserve aviators, but further be-
lieves that strictest economy was
observed, and due to the ability, en-
thusiasm and zeal of Reserve per-
minimum.
"Au Naval PaServe aviation, hosee
for the first time accomplished the
complete major overhaul of the air.
craft and engines attached thereto.
This practice provides excellent train
ing and has proven economical as
well. The material condition Of the
Naval Reserve aviation bases and
aircraft Is Of high order of excel
lence.
THE board was impressed with the
high type and professional ability of
officers and men of the Aviation Re
serve. Each Reserve unit performed
on an average one hour Of flying for
the board to demonstrate as many
phases of the syllabus as local condi-
tions permitted. This flying was well
conducted and paralleled the accepted
practices of regular squadrons in the
fleet. The Aviation Reserve is an eff
cheney organization and is of decided
value to the Navy"
The Navy Department also an
nouned that In recognition of the
high standing of the Naval Reserve
units under their command, the Sec
retary of the Navy will send letters
OF commendation TO the following off,
GERS:
Lieut.. Comdr j. B. Coon, command
Ing the 18th Division, Hancock, Mich,
having the highest final merit Of feet
divisions
Lieut.. H. r. Dobbs, commanding the
1st Battalion, Atlanta, Ca, having the
highest final merit Of Reserve
battalions.
Lieut. J. J. Shea, commanding the
Naval Reserve aviation base, SQuan-
tum, Mass, having the highest final
merit Of Reserve aviation bases.
Lieut.. M. M. Cloukey, commanding
VN-6R division, AnacoStia, D. c., hav-
ing highest final merit of aviation
divisions. Letters Of commentator
from the chief Of the Bureau Of Nav
igation, Rear Admiral william D.
Leahy, will be given the following
officers:
Lieut.. Comdr M. A. Mangan, COM
manding the 5th division, Erie Pa,
the feet division having the second
highest final merit.
Lieut.. X. D. McCracken, command
ing the Goth Division. 5th Battalion,
Chicago, Ill, the fleet division having
the third highest final merit.
inIf n Ovuoe {r
the 30th Division, Peoria. ILL.,, the
feet division having the fourth high
est final merit.
Lieut.. M. r. Sanders, commanding
the End Division, lst Battalion, At
lanta, Ga. the feet division having
the Nth highest final merit.
Lieut. H. r. Harris, commanding
the 18th Battalion, ST. Paul, Mimi,
the battalion having the second high
est final merit
Lieut. M. M. Cloukey, in charge of
reserve training, Naval Air Station,
Anacostia, the aviation unit having
the highest final merit.
Lieut.. F. E. Weld, commanding the
Naval Reserve Aviation Base, st.
Louis, Mo, the aviation base having
the second highest final merit.
Lieut.. w c. Greene. commanding
the 2nd Division, Vn-1RD1 Squadron,
Squantum, Mass, the aviation divi-
sion having the second highest final
merit.
In the list of ship divisions which
was headed by the 18th Division at
Hancock, Mich, with a mark of 87.5,
the lst Fleet Division of the local
battalion, with a mark of 76.7 This
division dropped from forty-ninth in
standing in 1888 to seventy-second in
the last inspection year. The 3rd
Fleet Division, which stood 146 in
line in 1888. went up to 100 last year
with a mark Of TAO.
Because the I'd Fleet Division had
less than 40 men at the inspection, it
was not given any standing In the
final marking.
The battalion as a whole moved up
from 81 to 26 last year with a mark