Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-09-16
Fighting Ships
May Participate
In Nimitz Day
Program in October
includes FuII-Leneth
Parade on Avenue

early IN OCTOBER, TOOK shape
yesterday as congressional and
citizens committees began work.
Ing out details for a momentous
celebration which will give the
Capital the chance it has wanted
to honor the triumphant Pacific
naval forces and their COM
mander in chief.
A display of naval might in Wash
tngton waters and in the air is ex-
pected to be among the unusual fea-
lures of the pageantry, which is to
include full-length parade along
Pennsylvania avenue and ceremon-
les at the Capitol.
The Citizens Committee which
planned the recent rousing welcome
for Gen. Wainwright is taking the
lead in planning Nimitz Day. Com
missioner John Russell Young, pres
tdent of the District governing
board. has called meeting of this
citizens group for pm. tomorrow
at the District Building to discuss
arrangements.
Committees Completing Plans.
The Senate and House Naval
Committees, meanwhile, are COM
plotting plans to receive Admiral
Chester w. Nimitz, his staff and
other high officers who led our forces
to victory in the Pacific. The Ma
TONS gratitude will be expressed
at joint session of Congress.
Preliminary plans for Nimitz Dag
were revealed yesterday by Chair
man Vinson of the House Naval
Committee. This is our chance
to honor our great Navy" he said.
1--WE have been delighted at the OPP
portunity to pay tribute to two of
our top Army leaders, Gen. Eisen-
hover and Gen. Wainwright, and
now it's the Nays turn. We hope
to make this one of the most me-
morable celebrations in the history
of a Capital noted for such pa
geantry."
While the Navy Department made
no announcement regarding the
celebration, leaving it to the citizens
of the District and members of
Congress, its cooperation was
known to have been enlisted by
leaders on Capitol Hill. Plans are
under way to provide Admiral MINI
itz and his commanders with an ap-
propriate escort of ships, planes
and men.
Combat Ships Expected.
Although no details have been
announced, it is expected that some
of the ships which saw active serv-
ice in the Pacific will be on hand.
Navigators familiar with these
waters pointed out that light cruisers
are the largest type of naval ship
which can go up the Potomac as far
as Washington. Kettle Bottom
Shoals, near the mouth of the river,
with controlling depth of only "a
feet, would ground battleships or
aircraft carriers. Even light cruisers
have to trim their cargoeS and fuel
tanks to make the shadows.
Yet the Capital may see some
cruisers and destroyers which have
performed heroic feats in the
Pacific. The cruisers Boise, Rich
mond and Concord and the des-
troyers Charles Ausburne, Aulick,
Klaxton, Dyson, Braine, Converse,
Foote, Young, John Rodgers, Har-
rison, Mckee, Murray, Kimberly
Ringgold, Schroeder, Sigsbee and
Dashiell are enroute from war zones
to the Atlantic and are expected to
arrive in ample time for the cele-
bration.
All these ships which helped
wreck the Japanese Navy can navi-
gate the Potomac, and some or all
of them may be here to welcome
their commander in chief and his
aides and a large number of sailors
and marines who fought in the
Pacific.
Navy planes of every types are at
bases within easy reach and are
expected to salute the returning
heroes in impressive numbers. Any
number of surface ships smaller
than destroyers could come.
If the Navy wants some of its
largest ships near at hand, the cele-
bration could overflow to annapolis.
Even battleships can anchor in An
napolis Roads, and Admiral Nimitz
could, II he desired, sail up Chesa-
peake Bay on his flagship.
Many Displays in Past.
Washington has seen in the past
many displays of naval power, with
visiting ships of the modern era dat
Ing from celebrations that followed
the Spanish-American War.
A notable naval pageant was held
during a national conclave of the
Order of the Mystic Shrine in June,
1928. A squadron of destroyers was
included. The cruiser Memphis
brought Charles Lindbergh here in
1927 fresh from his pioneer flight
across the Atlantic. Various Navy
days in the early 30s brought ships
up the Potomac and open house at
the Navy Yard.
An old-fashioned parade, moving
leisurely along the avenue, is
planned by the sponsors of Nimitz
Day. There will be enough martial
music and marching feet to lift
everyone's spirit.
Representative Vinson ard other
leaders of the celebration are hope
full that several four-star admirals
beside the five-starred Nimitz. will
be on hand. These may include
the" colorful Admiral William F.
Halsey, jr., commander of the Sd
Fleet; Admiral Raymond A. Spru-
ance, who led the 5th Fleet into
spectacular victories, and Admiral
Thomas c. Kinkaid, who commands
the Southwest Pacific forces and
the It'll Fleet. It is possible that
a large number OF high officers
vice admirals and rear admirals-
Will be relieved of their duties tenn
porarily to receive the acclaim of
their country.
Aside from the commanders. how
ever, the rank and file of the Navy.
the Bluejacket and the Marine
private. will be honored that day.
Decorated heroes of the fighting in