Evening star., 1937-07-04
Naval Reservists Striving
no Capture Gold Medals
Three Outstanding Enlisted Men to Be
Selected for Annual Prizes for
Service.
CONSIDERABLE inter

)S'NSAOLNhDLE interest IL
being sfo~n by the personnel
OF the lst Battalion, United
~ States Naval Reserves in the
District OF Columbia in the impend-
ing award OF gold medals to the three
outstanding enlisted men, one in each
OF the three divisions. They are
donated annually by group Of Naval
Reserve officers in the United States
Maritime Commission, the same group
| which donated the Admirals Cup,
awarded each year to the best division
In the battalion.
In order for an enlisted man to
win a medal it is necessary he be pro-
flcient in the duties OF his rating in
the Reserve and must be of leadership
caliber He must have attended all
scheduled drills during the year and
must have made the annual training
cruise. Other factors are taken into
consideration, among them the things
which he does for the advancement
OF the interests of his division and
the battalion, wholly outside of the
requirements OF his naval duties
These include efforts put forth to in
crease the morale and efficiency of the
division
1t was said the local battalion has
SO many men who are whole heartedly
interested in their work, aside from
the required duties, that the board is
finding it difficult problem to select
the three who will receive the medals
this month.
Steps have been inaugurated bv
the battalion command to organize a
swimming class, particularly for the
enlisted personnel. as part of the
regular educational syllabus A COM
petent officer instructor will be as
signed to direct the instruction
Arrangements have been made for
the use OF swimming pool in the
Washington Navy Yard. and a limited
number of enlisted men will he de-
tached from the regular instruction
each Tuesday drill night to report to
the officer in charge of the swimming
class.
Plans are being made by the Sd
Fleet DIVISION, commanded by Lieut.
r. 5. Kirk. for the annual dinner of
the division. 1t will be held this
month. Lieut.. Comdr. Charles B
McVay, Sd, U. S Navy, officer in
charge of local Naval Reserve affairs
at the Washington Navy Yard, and
Lieut.. James E. Sullivan, commander
OF the local battalion, will be guests
Of honor.
Lieut.. Comdr. L. c. McNemar has
been commended by the Armv-Navv
Selective Service Committee for his
work in connection with the recent
meeting Of that body.
The judge advocate general of
the Navy has received a letter from
the committee telling of the work
of this officer, who is employed In
that branch of the Navy Department.
Members Of the Selective Service
Committee, the letter said. consid-
cred Comdr McNemar one Of the
best Informed officers assigned to Sc
lective service duty In addition to
talks on assigned subjects. he was the
adviser and reference man at all
meetings.
The chief OF the Bureau Of Navi-
CATION addressed a letter to Ensign
J. H. Jebens, jr., in connection with
the conference. 1t said the bureau
noted he attended the conference in
voluntary status. without pay and
allowances, and added your action is
commendable, in that it indicates
desire to improve your professional
qualifications for the purpose Of bet
ter serving your country in time OF
war or national emergency
Another Naval Reserve officer COM
mended was Lieut.. Ccmdr. Willard c.