Evening star., 1943-06-09
Annapolis
Continued From First Page :,

| Sell.
He said America would not con-
sent to postwar scrapping of her
naval strength, and warned the
Axis that United States industry
this year would build thousands of
landing barges. You can be sure
we know why we are building them"
he commented.
Mr.. Knox also said the country's
shipyards were turning out ships at
the rate Of six a day and that the
total numerical strength of our
fleet would be more than doubled
this year, its tonnage up two-thirds.
In. the prepared address, of which
he used little, Mr.. Knox had said:
The United States Is in this war
with clear conscience. We wanted
nothing from other nations but
peace ana good will. We sacrificed
much to achieve what we hoped was
lasting peace. Although a great and
growing sea power. we laid our
strength upon the block after the
last war. We voluntarily scrapped
100000 tons of the best fighting
ships built or building in the illusory
hope that in disarmament there was
security and peace.
I'VE realize now what a mistake
that was Mr. Knox continued
The people of this country do not
intend to scrap again the feet that
we are building. You can be sure,
there is going to be work for every
one OF you who looks on the Navy
as career-an opportunity, indeed,
for you to make a contribution of
great and lasting value to your
country and your world - 49,
Recalling he had spoken here in
194l shortly after returning from an
inspection trip to Pearl Harbor when
Il was much worried" Mr.. Knox
told the largest graduating class in
academy history he could speak
more confidently today.
Old Spirit Revived.
Since last I stood before you, 1
have seen the miracle of modern
American production step up to full
speed ahead" he said. Il have wit
messed the revival of the old Ameri-
can Don't Tread On Me- spirit-as
compelling, as devastating as it was
when our forefathers coined the
phrase"
Mr.. Knox, asserting that Ameri-
| can industry was turning out the
best combat planes in the world,
paid tribute to the growing i'm
| portance Of air power.
"AS other generations have won
and saved the freedom of the seas,
you must win and save the freedom
Of the air as we'll" he told grad
yates. THE stakes in this war are
double, for now the skies are high
ways, too. and men can come and
go upon the air. The air is a new
symbol of freedom or slavery-an
instrument of either freer move
ment than we have ever known or
an instrument of oppression with
which single nation could en-
slave the earth"
The ring dance, to be given tonight
for the class of 1945, will conclude
June Week, which has been curtailed
this year because of wartime condi-
tions.
Two Traditions Broken.
Two traditions were broken yes
terday as 5000 persons witnessed the
annual regimental parade on Wor-
den Field. For the first time, the
midshipmen marched in their reg
ular Navy blue drill uniforms in
stead of blue and white full dress
And the color girl did not kiss the
commander of the winning company
although this Is q long established
custom.
Miss Marilyn Sandquist, 18-year-
old brunette from Chicago, sopho-
more at the University Of Illinois
proclaimed the Naval Academy's
18th Company the color company, ,
but failed to kiss Midshipman
George Frederick Jubb of Corpus
Christi, Tex, commander of the win
ming company, who chose her a.
color girl.
"The kiss is out" said an officer
fatty. No further explanation could
be obtained.
Escorted by Rear Admiral j. r
Beardall, academy superintendent
and by Regimental Comdr. Charles
8. Swift Of San Leandro, Calf, Miss
Sandquist transferred the flags from
the 18th, last years color company,
to the 10th.
After Admiral Beardall and Miss
Sandquist had retired to the review
ing stand, the regiment marched to
the far side of Worden Field and
then swung down the field with fixed
bayonets. AS each company came
abreast of the reviewing stand, COM
pany commanders flashed their
swords in salute while the men in
ranks executed "eyes right"
The farewell ball" was held last
night.
A final checkup by Admiral
Beardall showed that 729 midship-
men were commissioned ensigns In
the Navy at graduation.
Twenty-Five Of the class of 766
were commissioned second leuten-
ants In the Marine Corps on grad
uation, while nine were honorably
discharged without commissions but
| with their diplomas.
One midshipman, q Filipino, re-
ceived his diploma, Admiral Beardall
said. but was not commissioned in
| either the Navy or Marine Corps.