The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-10-25

The "scourge of the Jap's navy" much decorated hero of the United States Navy submarine serv- ice who has led his crews Into enemy waters to wreak havoc among ship- ping, Q veteran of the sinking of the carrier Lexington" in the Coral Sea, Q former Olympic champion and holder of 0 standing worlds record, c three letter athlete of Annapolis, all one man. Commander Raymond II. Base, 34, will be the principal speaker at Fridays gi- gantic Navy Day celebration to be held here.
 Cmdr. Bass will address the large gathering expected in front of the city hall where reviewing stand will be erected. His address will be heard following the parade, the latter scheduled to get underway ct 6;30 D. m.
 Scheduled plans for the parade highllghtIng the days events call for participation by l,4000 persons comprised of bands, drum corps. veterans organizations, civilian war time groups, veterans of this war and other civic and fraternal repre- SenetativeS.
 Major J. Peter CostIgan, veteran of World War l and II Is marshal of the parade, which will start at the corner of Mill and East Main streets, and will march through the city's principal street, past the rec viewing stand in front ofSthe city hall and doubling back to that point. At the conclusion of the par- ade Cmdr. Bass will be introduced, Officials today declared that the parade would likely be cancelled If rain intervenes, but the speaking program will be held ct Wilby audi torium, in the latter event.
 Cmdr Bass, who is now assigned At Portsmouth, N. IT,, where he is organizing Q new crew for further enemy action--and with eagerneSs lt has been said--is c graduate of Annapolis class of 1881 where he participated in wrestling, soccer and track. Holder of the present worlds record in rope climbing he won first place in this latter event in the io32 Olympic games in Los Angeles,
 A native of Thornton, Arkansas, he was originally assigned to the ill-fated, courageous carrier the old Lexington" which valiantiy went down fighting in the Coral Sea in the early stages of the war against the Japs. He has been in submarine service for many years however and as holder of the Navy Cross with Gold Star, in leu of Q second Cross, holder of the Legion of Merit and the Silver star oil of which have been received since seeing action aB commanding officer of submarines ir the Pacific waters,
 The father of two boys he recent ly was further honored when his wife, the former Marjorie M. Hart of Los Angeles was chosen by the secretary of the Navy to sponsor the Q. s. s. Runner when the lat. ter vas launched at the Portsmouth Navy yard.
 Although an enthusiast about hunting. poker and swimming Cmdr. Bass says that his favorito sport is "submarining those japs,"
 The speakers program for Friday is as scheduled; 7;30 D. m. opening address by Patrick Wallace. chair. man; singing of national anthem by Joseph Lezotte; address by Ralph Granger, master of ceremonies; short address by Mayor Monagan; award Of essay prizes to winners; remarks by Yeonan 2-e Christine Lawrence; address by Cmdr. Bass; and closing number Of God Bless America" as sung by Ralph Shove. n Several floats will Dc featured in the parade which will consists of five drum corps, e color guard Of Navy, Wave, Marine and Won-