Evening star., 1938-04-17
U.S.S..LEARy HERE
FOR RESERVE USE
Destroyer win Remain
Several Weeks at DC.
Navy Yard.

several weeks aboard the U. s.. de.
stroyer Leary, commanded by 1t.
Comdr. r. B. Matthews, U. S. NJ.
which arrived at the Washington
Navy Yard last week
Since the Navy Department has not
found 1t feasible during the past few
years to assign q ship here perma-
nently, it has been the custom to send
one Of the Atlantic Training Squadron
destroyers at intervals during the
year. 1t was said the entire drill
schedule will be revamped so that the
vessel can be used TO the fullest ex.
tent on regular meeting nights for the
three divisions.
Training will include use Of the
intricate fire control system aboard
the vessel, and particular attention
Will be given TO this as the local re-
servists now are forming their gun
crews and making preparations for
the target practice which will be held
on the annual cruise this year which
Will be aboard battleship.
The length of time that the vessel
will be at the service of the local re-
servists is not known. as she also has
to serve other Naval Reserve units on
the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries
including those at Baltimore. Norfolk
and Richmond Officers were not in
position to say wether they would
take any week end trips aboard her.
The battalion commander will confer
with the ship commander, Of course,
TO ascertain whether this is feasible.
the 1ormer deems 1t desirable to
take the men out for week end.
If the regular vessel is not used for
week end work. il was indicated con-
slderatlon might be given to a plan to
make a flve-day Southern cruise
aboard the ship, such as was made last
year. This, it was explained would in
no way substitute for the regular two
week training work, but would be a
form OF preliminary prepare ton. The
proposal would have to have the ap-
proval OF the Navy Department and
the destroyer commander.
F1fty-four enlisted members Of the
local battalion are completing a stren-
uous year of drilling and studying in
preparation for the tests for admis-
sion to the United States Naval Acad-
emy from the Reserve. Although there
are only Is appointments allowed each
year, the numbers taking the examina-
tons are increasing by scores.
The appointments go to the men
who make the highest marks in the
tests, regardless of from what section
OF the country they come. Examina-
tons will be held this month, and the
successful candidates will enter the
Academy in June. Last year the local
battalion men captured IS of the Is
vacancies. Because of the vast in
crease in the number of men who take
the tests, efforts are being made TO
nave Congress provide for so appoint
ments, as it is said that the Reserve
Will nave no trouble in filling them.
The class of applicants for 1889 now
Is beng formed at the battalion and
Young men interested in trying for
them should enlist now. They must
be between the ages Of II and 20 and
must be enlisted prior to July /. They
must pass the physical tests and be-
tween July l next and April l, 1899.
they must have attended at least 27
regular drills of the organization. They
must have the approval of the Reserve
DIVISION commander before being per-
mitted to participate in the examina-
tions.
Before man is considered. he must
! nave the written Endorsement of three
substantial citizens. and appear before
a board composed of three commits
stoned officers whose approval Of the
canoldate must be unanimous.
Inc recruits are mustered in to one
DIVISION and their preliminary train
ing Is carried on under the direction of
Ensign H. Arthur Lamar.
considerable interest in the local
battalion centers around the drill At
tendance competition for the current
year. which ends on May |, The
fIeet Division having the highest gen.
eral average of attendance. will be
awarded the Admiral's Cup, which vas
contributed by group Of officers en-
pioyed by the United States Maritime
Commission.
The contest at this time appears
10 be between the lst and Sd Fleet
Divisions. which are practically tied
ior nrst place, with couple of drills
ahead before the final decision is
made. They so far have averaged %
per cent. While the I'd Fleet Division
Is not within contending distance for
the competition, it was said, it has
shown remarkable increase.
The cup is now held by the Sd Fleet
DIVISION. commanded by 1t. F. S.
Kirk, which has held it for the past
two years. If this division is success
ful again this year, it will retain per-
manent possession
| Although the DESTROYER. a. an
nounced, will be here for several
weeks. the reservists are making
preparations for beginning their week
END launch cruises, in the hope that
before the summer is over the Navy
to assign a larger vessel here per-
manently. so that the local men can
get more of type of training which
is not possible under the limited con-
ditions provided aboard the launch.
Chief Boatswain's Mate Joseph p.
Slattery. on permanent active duty at
the Reserve headquarters, is preparing
the vessel for its summer work.
Announcement was made that COM
missions has been issued to the fol-
lowing Reserve officers: 1t. q. e.
William w. Crowninshield, 1t. Hal X.
Edwards, 1t. q. g. Martin S. Erdahl,
1t. q. g. Richard H. Atkinson, jr.;
1t. q. g. Wesley w. Carlson, 1t.
q. g. John L. Ambrozich, 1t. Comdr.
Allan F. Bonnaile, 1t. q. g. Charles
E. Dixon, 1t. ii. g. Armand w.
Blenner. 1t. q. g. William D.
Hudgins, 1t. Edwin L. Rose, 1t q. g.
Wallace H. Howe, 1t. John H. Moore.