Evening star., 1944-10-26
Fleet Victory
In Pacific Spurs
NavyDayP Plans
President Calls for
Support Until Foe
Is Defeated

- SCIO0NCO
President Roosevelt today called
on Americans at home to continue
answering support of the Navy
until the last battle Is won," as
news of the United States naval
victory in the Pacific gave new
impetus to plans for observance OF
Navy Day here and throughout the
country tomorrow.
The local program already was
shaped to make Navy Day a mem
orable occasion. Two "firsts" are
on tap-the first time a parade has
marked Navy Day ceremonies here
and the first public marching in
Washington of combat veterans of
this war.
Marine veterans of most of the
historic battles in which the Navy's
land arm has fought the japanese
in the Pacific-Guadalcanal, Tulagi,
Tarawa, New Georgia, Bougainville,
Namur, Roi, EniWetok, to name
a few-Will be among those march,
ing in the parade to begin at 1:30
pm. tomorrow.
With several Navy, Marine Corps
and local school bands, the uni
formed men and women of the Navy
services and of numerous local pa
triotic organizations will parade
from Fourth street and Constitu-
ton avenue, along Constitution ave-
nue. past a reviewing stand between
Sixteenth and Seventeenth streets,
and down Seventeenth street to the
John Paul Jones statue.
President Issues Statement.
Amid news of the crushing defeat
administered to the Japanese fleet
by the American Navy in the Pacific
this week, the President issued a
special statement in connection
with tomorrow's Navy Day observ-
ance. He said:
"On this Navy Day, 1914, the Ma
ton pauses to salute the men of
the United States Navy. Their
heroic performance has won the ad-
miration and gratitude of all men
who fight for freedom. Never be-
fore has sea power played so sig
nificant role in the determination
of American destiny and the course
of world history.
I'm the greatest and most difficult
naval war ever fought, our Navy has
emerged from its ordeal by fire as a
massive striking force of enormous
power and precision. The men of
the Navy, Coast Guard and Marines
have proved themselves the enemy's
superior in every branch of warfare
There still remains a monu-
mental chapter of naval history to
be written in the Pacific. That it
will be superbly executed I have no
doubt. For our part, it is our duty
here at home to continue to give
the Navy our answering support
until the last battle is won.
THE American people will never
forget the Navy's courage and sacri-
fee"
In announcing detailed plans for
the Navy Day parade mere, Capt.
H. G. Whitehurst, District highway
director and chairman Of the Pa
rade Committee, said the ceremo-
nies will enable all Washington to
Join in an expression of apprecia-
ton of what the naval forces of
the United States are doing for us. y
Leahy in Reviewing Stand.
In the absence from Washington
of Secretary of the Navy Forrestal
the parade will be reviewed officially
by Admiral William D. Leahy. chief
of staff to the President, and Assist
ant Secretary of the Navy for Air
Artemus L. Gates.
The Army will be represented in
the reviewing stand by Assistant
Secretary of War John j. McCloy,
Gen. H. H. Arnold, commander of
the Army Air Forces, and other
high-ranking officers.
Others assigned seats include Sec
retary of Labor Perkins, the three
District commissioners, John Rus
sell Young, Col. Charles w. Kutz
and Guy Mason; Joseph C. Grew
former Ambassador to Japan; Ad-
miral H. E. Yarnell, former naval
commander in the Far East, and
Maj. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, director
of selectiVe service.
Reichmuth Grnad Marshal.
Rear Admiral F. L. Reichmuth,
commandant of the Potomac River
Naval Command, will be grand mar
shal of the parade. He will review
all of the service units participating
in the parade in preliminary cere-
mony at l pm. at the parade as
sembly area near Fourth street and
Constitution avenue.
Mr.. Grew and Undersecretary
of War Robert P. Patterson are
scheduled to speak at dinner at
the Mayf1ower Hotel tomorrow night,
concluding the observance. A part
of the dinner program will be broad
cast over WWDC from 10 to
1890 pm.
At conclusion of the parade to-
morrow afternoon, the 18th annual
Navy Day program. to be conducted
by the Military Order of the World
War, will be held at the John Paul
oollSo ctoGbC.
A concert by the Navy Yard Band
will open the program, which will
include an address by Rear Admiral
j. w. A. Waller of the British Ad-
miralty delegation to this country,
and the placing of wreaths at the
foot of the statue by approximately
40 patriotic organizations.
Rear Admiral Harry Hamlet of the
Coast Guard, vice commander of the
Military order of the World Wars,
also will Speak. The invocation will
be pronounced by Capt. w. r. Work
man, chief of Navy chaplains.
Stimson Will Not Disclose
Preference for President