Page 79 - Mastheads Aug-Dec 1944

NII VY /JIIY EDITION

U.S. Naval Training and Distribution Center

VOL. 111-- No. 37 TREASURE ISLAND, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. OCTOBER 28, 1944

SALUTE FROM THE NAVY
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* * million men in the Navy, half a million Marines and two ~undred thousand
Today, almost 3
Coast Guardsmen, Americans all, whether in uniform or dungarees or· ~orking in hospitals,
are making the supreme sacrifice for their country.
Many thousands have been cited for bravery and have received citations and awards. At
random we have picked Daniel Y. Walk~r, SI c, representing the youth of our countr.y, who
never was trained for war and who alm~st never believed in war; but who had, from some hid-
\.....,
den,,source_, brought forth a gallantry wh.ich is homespun and real.
. Rootly on Tre~sure Island, he wa·s awarded th~ Navy Cross and Purple Heart for hero_ic
deeds in amph'ibious action, in making a beach-head in the South Pacific.
Afttr his mate was critically injured, ·having. been shot through the arm and left side,
·Da.niel 't. Walker-, Sic, was responsible fo~ the ·sinking of three -Japanese·craft, when ·he took
over hi~ ate's 20mm :tun.
Diniel v: Wile~ 'tQ tell the tale but ma.ny o_f his mates died recording the bloody
saga clthis w that cost them the supreme sacrifice. The valor of these men
was wtjtten in vans, who was reported missing in the battle
of Maf.vay on
litany of m · d with a nonchalance that each
wou have deni and forgot the triumph. If
anyffiing good or ges that historians

willftempt to tween the
st>fless sea an me SP.ark
maJ catch, burst i he flame
gQJJs on and only th
Daniel V. Walker, Slc

* *

*

These ate ij"ays full of action-vigorous, decisive action that wins or loses battles and impedes
or accelerates the destinies of a nation an.cl its peoples. On the bridge of a CV-in the eon ..
fines of an Army command post-words today are chiefly important only as communications.
Yet, occasionally, even in the most hectic of situations it is neeessar to pause and examine
~hat has b een accomplished in the recent past in order that requirements for the immediate
future be properly prepared for.
Today the Na_vy pauses briefly to examine its past and look critically at its future. For
this day, October 27th, the birthday of one of our greatest leaders, Theodore Roosevelt, has
been designated as "Navy Day" by the nation since 1922.
It is trite, indeed, to say' that today this country has the mightiest Navy the world has
ever known. America well knows this and is proud of it. Our enemies know it and are fearful.
Despite this apparent fact, we should not overlook the reality that the Navy's place in modern
warfare has been completely revolutionized.
As members of this "mightiest Navy" all of you stationed at Treasure and Yerba Buena
Islands have definite responsibilities to yourselves and your country. It may be that some of you
feel that because you are far removed from action while temporarily stationed at this com-
mand that you are playing a minor part in the winning of.the war. Let me emphasize that I do
not consider the job of any officer or enlisted man at this command a "minor" one. We are an
. important service station to the fleet and the overseas bases. Many of the men now perform-
ing so brilliantly in the Pacific were but a few months ago sitting in the same classrooms some of
you now occupy. It is an axiom in the military world that the success of any fighting unit is
regulated by the thoroughness of its training. .
Uppermost in the minds of many of you, I know, is the desire to "get this thing over with"
and return to your homes and families. Although the war is far from over and the way anead
may be rigorous, you may rest assured that your strict attention to duty and your successful
· completion of any assigned task will definitely help hasten the day when the Navy's job is
concluded.
With this goal in mind, therefore, let all .of us on Treasure and Yerba Buena Islands resolve
on this Navy Day, 1944, to back_ up our shipmate~ afloat with our maximum efforts here in the
States in order that this great task to which our· hearts and minds are dedicated may, be' fin-
ished as soon as possible. · · · . · ·. · • ,
·. e~ 11. 'kl. e<Vllf, 1,(SN

Commander U. S. Naval Training and .Distribution Center
Commodore R. W. Cary, USN
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