Page 140 - Mastheads July-Dec 1945

PAGE 4 THE MASTHEAD, SATURDAY, OCT. 27, 1945
1/nal Class of Radiomen IJlsem/Jarlt From "Old lad1 ''

STILL HOLDING UP AFTER SOME 58 years afloat, the USS Boston will no longer
be used as a radioman school. The 26th and final class of radio strikers left her ven-
erable deck last Saturday. Pictured at top left are the graduates just before they
disembarked from the "Old Lady" for good. Lewis N. Desmond, S1c(Rm) ), is shown
in pix at right receiving his diploma from Lt. Commander Richal'd E. Davis, officer in
char ge. Looking on Is Chief Radioman William E. Sheets, instructor. Bottom pictures
reveal the old USS Boston alongside the dock at Verba Buena Island, and Chief
Radio Electrician James W. Mullins,- pel'sonnel officer, giving a farewell speech.

END OF DESPATCH
NIMITZ SAYS NAVY Armed Guard Plenty of Work

Final Class of Radioman Graduates NEEDED FOR PEACE Welfare Features Ahead for Classifiers
In a Navy Day statement, Flee "Happy Hours" Personnel, who interview and
Leave Old Boston for New Assignments \dmiral Chester W. Nimitz said classify the manpower of the
hat a powerful Navy will prove A biweekly "Happy Hour" Navy, still have a big job ahead.
'essential in maintaining the highlights the activities of an ex- The release of men via the point
Venerable Cruiser's of a school of this type--is not peace and keeping our country panded Armed Guard Welfare and system has left hundreds of
needed any more on the Despatch. safe and strong." Control of the Recreation Department. Once 11. vacancies and the future release
Career Dates Back to And so it is with those that seas and skies above them, tbe week the twenty-six man Armed of more personnel makes it
were responsible for putting out admiral said, proved the deciding Guard orchestra puts on a popu- necessary to provide trained re-
Battle of Manila Bay such well trained radiomen-the factor in bringing Japan to her lar music show, with several solos liefs from the ranks of available
men that were so badly needed knees. by local talent. A twelve-man men.
The last of radioman school
graduates from this area-the by the fleet during the war years. Nimitz continued by saying Western band, making with ever- Officers and enlisted men who
Lt. Commander Richard E.
26th class-went down the gang- Davis, officer in charge of the that it was only .fitting that the popular Western ballads, also are qualified classifiers will not
way of the old USS Boston last radio school since June 5, is now veterans of the Navy's victories plays once a week. be assigned to duties other than
Saturday in a ceremony at Yerba awaiting his orders. Chief Radio should be celebrating Navy Day On the last Sunday of each classification. When these inter-
Buena Island. Electrician James W. Mullins, with their countrymen. "For month the recreation depart- viewers are no longer necessary
Aboard the same ship that there is scarcely a town or a fam- ment treats enlisted personnel to where assigned, they will be made
boldly sailed into Manila Bay as personnel officer, will be placed on ily within these United States a dance in the lounge of Bar- available for new classification
part of Admiral Dewey's squad- the inactive list as of November 1. who does not own a share of that racks "D." The necessary fem- duties within the demobilization
ron in May, 1898, upwards of The Despatch's two instructors fleet, who did not help build its inine element is transported from program.
{ there were nine at one time) ,
1500 bluejackets have left her Chief Radioman William c. strength on the production line, San Francisco and neighboring
deok as radioman strikers. pay for its growth with war towns.
Last Saturday morning marked Sheets and Chief Radioman Pat- bonds, or send forth their sons to A four hundred percent in- chairs and sofas have· added to
the end of the Boston's reign as rick E. Curran have been as- man its ships and planes." crease in Armed Guard personnel the comfort of the men. Barracks
the USS Despatch. No longer signed to a radio school in Mis- since the war's end has brought "D," main AG barracks, is also
sissippi.
will sailors learn of complex radio about an extension in the activi- furnished with a fast-growing li-
messages in her compartments Great White Squadron lifting, she was recommissioned ties of Welfare and Recreation. brary, under the supervision of
. . . for now, after five years of The USS Boston is the last re- as a training ship for radio op- Aiding Lt. (jg) William F " Kel- Miss Arend. The latest in novels,
acting as a class . "A" radio maining ship of Admiral Dewey's erators and christened the USS ler, OINC Welfare and Recrea- fiction and popular best sellers is
school, this cruiser, which was Great White Squadron and one of Despatch. Only those sailors tion, with the expansion, are two available. The library is also
commissioned in 1887, is ready the few vessels to see active passing aptitude tests were eligi- newly appointed assistants, Lt. equipped with writing facilities,
for the junk yard. She has seen service in the Spanish-American, ble as students on her venerable A. Herman and Lt. (jg) A. Guhin. chairs and tables.
her best day. First and Second World Wars. deck. To handle the huge increase, As the flow of personnel
· End of Despatch When her sea legs gave out, Now, with the passing of the the Armed Guard has taken over through the Armed Guard Center
With the 26th and final' class the Boston was moored alongside last group of radio graduates, the two new barracks, "F" and "N." increases, tbe Welfare and Rec-
of radioman graduates from here the dock at Yerba Buena Island, old Boston will no longer remain The two buildings, along with reation department will grow,
already- on their way to new as- and for more than 20 years there- as a member in the family of "D" and 188, have been com- becoming better equipped to han-
signments, the maze of oscilla- after she was a floating Receiv- ships. The "Old Lady" is slowly pletely furnished with comfort- dle the job of keeping the men
tors, condensers and quartz crys- ing Station. heading for her final voyage--to able, homey recreation lounges. and officers of the AG contented
tals which went Into the making In 19'40, after a quick face- the graveyard. Radio - phonographs, magazines, and happy.