Evening star., 1940-06-06
Annapolis Graduates
Told 10 Be Ready
By Secretary Edison
Diplomas Are Bestowed
On ass Of Class Of 1910
In CoIorfuI Ceremony
List OF Graduates, Page As }


List OF Graduates, Page A-6)
BY the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Md, June 6.-Sec-
retary Of the Navy Edison told the
Naval Academy graduating class in
Thompson Stadium today that both
men and ships must be ready" for
any eventuality which might befali
the United States.
I'VE are determined that. if need
ed, our first line of defense shall
not fail" Secretary Edison assert
ed. I'm the words of our Commander
in Chief the President, The fleet
must be ready
Like the feet, each of you must
be ready 1 am confident that you
will. The Nation trusts that you
will"
Secretary Edison reported that
training methods and the general
efficiency of the fleet have reached
an all-time high in excellence and
added:
If every graduate of every in
stitution of learning in the Nation
went forth with the same brand of
Americanism as you, our security
within would be more certain.
Morale as Important as Arms.
For proper degree of security
within as we'll as from without the
Nation must have more than the
tangible elements Of strength repre-
sented by ships and planes.
1T must have that Intangible
strength, as we'll; strength which
comes from the primary virtues
from adherence to the faith of our
fathers, from the keeping of that
faith with God
The liberties we enjoy, in this
most blessed of nations, is not only
a priceless heritage; it is a sacred
trust. I have every confidence that
each of you will always be worthy
Of that trust"
The stands on both sides of the
stadium were packed with June
week visitors. their summer cos
tunes contrasting with the blue
uniforms of the underclass midship-
men.
The graduating class. resplendent
in white uniforms, was grouped to-
gether in the center of the field.
facing the speakers rostrum filled
with Federal officials and high
ranking officers of the Navy, Army,
Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
Made Bachelors Of Science.
Comdr. William N. Thomas, acad-
emy chaplain, opened the COM
mencement exercises with the in
vocation. Rear Admiral Wilson
Brown, academy superintendent, in
troduced Secretary Edison, who pre-
sented the diplomas after his brief
speech. Admiral Brown conferred
the degrees of bachelor OF science
on the graduates.
-Four hundred and flfty-five Of the
456 members Of the class received
diplomas. Three hundred and
were commissioned en-
signs in the Navy, "a were commits
stoned second lieutenants in the
Marine Corps and 80 were honorably
discharged for physical disqualifi-
cation.
One Filipino, Midshipman Abra-
ham c. Campo of Manila, was grad
uated but not commissioned. Mid
shipman Richard J. Heath of Som
erville, Mass, was graduated and
voluntarily resigned to enter the
Catholic priesthood.
Another midshipman, assigned to
the marines, received his diploma
but his commission still is pending.
The ensign's commission of Mid
shipman David F. Machines, Abing-
ton, Pa, IS being held up pending
outcome of his illness.
Another in Sick Bay.
The lone midshipman who failed
to receive a diploma was Louis E.
Hoffman of Denver, Colo. He was
in the hospital, it was reported, and
his diploma and commission both
depended on outcome of his illness.
1t was understood his academic
record was satisfactory.
Midshipman Joseph Paul D'Arezzo
of Los Angeles, Calf, the honor
man of the class, was the first to
receive a diploma. He was honor
ably discharged because Of a phys
ical disability.
Following him were the other
"star" members of the class in the
order of their merit. The rest of
the midshipmen were called in al
phabetical order.
When the last diploma was pre-
sented, the Naval Academy Band
played the national anthem. After
the audience was seated, the acting
regimental commander, class of
1941, led the undergraduates in
three cheers for those about to
leave U.S."
In response the graduates, at the
command of Midshipman D'Arezzo,
shouted, Three cheers for those we
leave behind U.S."
Cana of the aradliatAA then went