Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-04-29
Knox
Continued From First Page.)

weeks ago to recuperate from a Sc
we're attack of bronchitis.
President Issues Statement.
To newSmen at his vacation re-
treat, the President voiced his per-
sonal grief at the loss of valued
aide, and in statement issued
through the White House, described
the Secretary as war casualty"
The President said Mr.. Knox
had helped greatly in our defense
and in making victory certain"
Mr.. Roosevelt said he was glad
that the Secretary lived to build up
the worlds greatest Navy. That,
he added, is his greatest monu-
ment.
He put his country first" Mr..
Roosevelt said
Finally, I like to think of his
bigness and his loyalty. Truly he
put his country first. We shall
greatly miss his ability and his
friendship"
Mr.. Roosevelt said Mr.. Knox's
death was "a heavy blow to us and
to me especially, who had come to
lean on him increasingly"
Terse Tribute From King.
The terse tribute of the Navy came
from Admiral Ernest J. King, COM
mander in chief.
We'll done, Frank Knox"
AS word of Secretary Knox's death
was flashed to naval vessels and
shore batteries throughout the world,
Admiral King declared:
I'VE dedicate ourselves one and
all to what surely would have been
his last order-carry on"
Mr.. Forrestal, who automatically
became Acting Secretary, directed
that flags on all ships and stations
fly at half mast Monday, when Mr..
Knox is buried, but he said because
the Nation is at war, the firing of
salutes and the wearing of mourn
ing badges shall be dispensed with"
The death of the 70-year-old
newspaper publisher who became
Secretary of the Navy in July. 1910,
While German forces were sweeping
through Europe, came after six DAYS
illness-an illness that was not con-
sldered serious until yesterday.
Secretary Stricken Sunday.
He was stricken on Sunday while
in Manchester, N. H, to attend the
funeral of his business associate of
40 years, John A. Meuhling. Back in
his office Tuesday, he worked for
only about two hours before going
to his home 4704 Linnean avenue
N.W.-to rest. He did not leave his
bed again.
Mr.. Knox always was a fighting
man. He recruited a group of Is men
to accompany him in enlisting in the
Michigan militia for the Spanish
American War. Later he served in
the famed Rough Riders" under
Theodore Roosevelt, and, as a pri-
vate, took part in the charge up
San Juan Hill.
In the World War he enlisted as
a private and advanced to the rank
Of major at the wars end. He later
was commissioned a lieutenant COL
onel and subsequently promoted tc
colonel in the Army Reserves.
Long Champion of Giant Navy.
Recently, recalling his service in
those wars, he remarked to friends:
This is the first war I didn't enter
as a buck private
AS a neWspaperman he carried his
fighting ability into the editorial
field and was one of the earliest
proponents of giant Maya feet
large enough to fight in both the
Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.
He saw that aim accomplished as
Secretary of the Navy. When he
became a member of President
Roosevelts cabinet, the Navy had
1856 combat ships. Now, the fleet is
the largest in world history, COM
prising an additional 9 battle
ships, 10 first-line aircraft carriers
and more than so escort carriers, a
score of cruisers, more Than 500 de-
stroyers and destroyer escorts, more
than 100 submarines, thousands OF
landing craft and smaller ships OF
all types.