Evening star., 1935-06-06
439 M|DSH|PMEN
GRANTED DEGREES
CoIorful Annapolis Throng
Sees 314 Commissioned
Ensigns in Navy.
BY the Associated Press.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. June 6.-Amid
steady roar of applause from under
graduates and spectators. 439 mid
Shipmen received their diplomas and
the degree of bachelor of science today
at the eighty ninth commencement
of the United States Naval Academy
Shortly after the graduates had
hurled their white midshipmen's
caps into the air, causing a scramble
for them among the spectators, 3l4
filed into Memorial Hall and re-
ceived their commissions as ensigns
in the Navy. Twenty-Five were COM
missioned second lieutenants in the
Marine Corps.
One member of the class. Midship-
man r. Pargas a Filipino. living In
Manila, was graduated but not COM
missioned. Seventy graduates will
remain at the Academy for a physical
examination on June Is, which will
determine if they are TO b. COM
TWenty-nine resigned.
Frolic in Lovers Lane.
While the plebes now youngsters,
celebrated their new freedom from
restriction by snake dancing on
lovers lane. previously forbidden ter
ritory the new officers mingled with
their parents and sWeetheartS
Little groups gathered on the spa
ciouS academy lawns, with white uni
formed graduates the center Of attrac-
ton. as fathers, mothers or girls
alta ached the black shoulder strips
With the gold stripe, marking the
ensign's rank.
Dahlgren Hall. the academy ar
mory. was packed with parents, friends
and relatives when the graduates
slowly filed TO their seats The un-
dergraduates. in blue. were grouped
on bleachers running the length Of
the huge hall.
The short and impressive ceremony
was opened with an invocation by
Lieut. David L. Quinn, assistant chap
lain OF the academy United States
Senator Park TINmmell of Florida
chairman of the Senate Naval Affairs
Committee. delivered the address TO
the graduates and presented the di-
plomas Rear Admiral David Foote
Sellers. superintendent of the aced-
emv. conferred the degrees of bachelor
of science.
Officers Praised.
Senator TrammeI congratulated
the graduates and praised the Off
GERS and academy staff terminc
Admiral Sellers and Rear Admiral
Thomas c. Hart. former superin-
tendent, outstanding officers"
Nov. as heretofore" ne said. "our
naval officers have distinguished our
country with their good citizenship,
fine ideals and splendid patriotism.
He referred to the academy as the
definite expression of the American
people who recognize the Importance
of an adequate national defense and
mentioned the liberal naval appro-
prlationS" by the present Congress.
We have been most fortunate in
this respect" he continued. under
the present administration in having
the encouraging and sympathetic sup
port and friendly attitude of our be-
loved President. Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Our national ideal is not a policy
Of aggression, nor does II embrace any
design whatsoever for militaristic
domination. Our policy has ever been
and is now that Of reserving and pro-
tecting the rights Of our own people.
1t is my opinion that foes Of our
national naval policy have no ap-
preciable strength. Triumphant over
those who do not believe in prepared
ness for defense, our specific plan of
increasing our Navy 10 treaty strength
moves forward. With not only the
support of those in authority. but with
the backing of an overwhelming ma
Jority of the American people"
Star Graduates First.
First to receive the coveted diplomas
tied with blue and gold ribbon
were the 33 star graduates. headed by
Lewis L. Schock, Jr, York. Pa. the
honor man
The steady roll Of applause and
cheers. which continued through the
ceremony. rose to roar when Fred
tBuss) Berries. star athlete and win
ner of the Navy Athletic Association
sword. got his diploma Berries only
yesterday successfully passed an ex-
animation, failure in which would
have barred him from graduating With
the class
The undergraduates. standing in
their seats. gave three cheers for those
about to leave us, and then came
the moment that many a girl had
waited for. AS the cheers died away.
Schock proposed three cheers for
those We leave behind lis
The cheers came with fervor and
the air was filled with the flying
MILDLY hats as the class made its exit
from the armOrY with no more riNers