rap ffifl$9 IS Stroll mHHHi Tfl Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/abbotthallusnrreOOunit This is the story of a naval school, born upon the approach of war, ended by the approach of the victory which its graduates have striven so valiantly to secure. By the dawn's early light ABBOT HALL U.S.N. K The record of the United States Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School, Abbott Hall, Northwestern University September 1940 -- August 1945 Published by ABBOTT HALL PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS To those untold Abbott Hall men who in the highest tradition of the naval service gave their lives in the performance of their duty. FOREWORD Since the beginning of the war, reserve officers have been in the thick of the fighting. They manned the escort vessels that swept the I -Boats from the Atlantic. They sank Japs in the bitter night battles off the Solomons. They took their landing craft into Xew Guinea and Saipan, into Normandy, Attu, Kwajalein, and a hundred other beachheads. From the days of the first carrier strikes they have manned the carriers and flown the planes that crushed the Jap navy. Hundreds of thousands of them are at sea at this moment in ships of every size and description. They have distinguished themselves in all branches of naval warfare. Their exploits are too numerous to mention here. History will record them for all time. The Naval Reserve officers have managed the transfer from civilian life to active duty status with ease. Much of the credit for this achieve- ment goes to the training schools among which the I .S.X.R. Midship- men's School, Abbott Hall, Northwestern University has been outstand- ing. It is fitting that the history of this school should be preserved not alone for its own graduates but for the nation as an essential part of the great story of how America mobilized for war. Today the emergency which brought Abbott Hall into being has passed. Her graduates are scattered throughout the four quarters of the globe. Until the day of final victory I know they will serve with the same devotion they have shown in the past. Good luck and God speed to every one of them. JAMES V. FORRESTAL Secretary of the Navy ^^ g^gg§£^7- \ A^gL_ NOW HEAR THIS! F rom time to time during the five robust years of Abbott Hall's history, it has been suggested that a book be pub- lished commemorating each class. Every such suggestion has been firmly refused on the grounds that such a book would require considerable time in its prepara- tion, and that time was the one item of which midshipmen had entirely too little. When, however, the decision to close Abbott Hall was announced by the Navy Department, it seemed both fitting and important that some record of this School and its magnificent achievements be preserved within the covers of a book. After some reflection, the Commanding Officer approved the suggested venture and, inasmuch as this writer was its most ardent proponent, selected him as its editor. "Abbott Hall, USNR" is the result. It attempts to portray in text and pic- ture the history and the life at this particular naval midshipmen's school. It is obviously impossible to present a complete story, for the five years were filled with vigorous growth, constant change and many personalities. No two classes followed exactly the same curriculum. No two classes had precisely the same experiences. For example, the earliest classes spent a month at sea; some of the later classes did not even step inside a pulling boat; others learned practical seamanship aboard private yachts; others aboard YP's. Even Chicago's weather conspired to make each class's experience vary from the next succeeding class. Despite these complexities, "Abbott Hall, USNR" attempts to present sit- uations common to all classes. Any failure in this attempt is entirely the editor's; he was given a completely free hand in the preparation of this volume. It is essential to make a few factual statements: "Abbott Hall, USNR" was subscribed to by Classes 24 and 25. Their en- thusiasm — and money — made possible this project. It was originally planned to use the pictures of the members of these classes in this volume but the writer finally legislated against that decision when he found the pictures incomplete, and that their inclusion would necessarily limit the pictures of general interest to all classes. It is hoped that this decision will not be considered a breach of good faith. In the event that anyone holds that opinion, the editor cheer- fully will refund that individual's money. An excellent committee, appointed by the Executive Officer, gave inestimable aid to the editor in the book's preparation. Members included: Lieutenant B. M. Myers, Jr., USNR; Lieutenant C. A. Oby, USNR; and Lieutenant (jg) R. M. Greening, Jr., USNR. It was the ambition of this committee, as well as of the Captain, to make this volume available to all graduates of the School. Upon in- vestigation, difficulties became apparent which made the plan unfeasible. It was then suggested that copies be sent to the libraries of various fleet units where they could be read by many Abbott graduates. To finance this project, the committee approached the various uniform sup- pliers who had served the school through the years and asked if they would help by buying copies to be sent to the fleet units. Of all suppliers approached, only two responded — Finchley's and Maurice L. Rothschild's but they did so with such friendliness and generosity that hundreds and hundreds of copies of this volume will find their ways to Abbott men stationed throughout the world. This gesture by these great commercial houses should not gooverlooked by Abbott men. The photographs appearing herein came from many sources. Lieutenant N. B. Johnson, L T SNR, the school's official photographer, and Lieutenant J. T. Ganong, USNR, who picked up where Johnson left off, contributed the vast majority. But other individuals dug into their files for invaluable pictures — and all Chicago newspapers cooperated with a kindliness that deserves high comment. Many individuals gave largely of their time to this project, among them the Captain, the Executive Officer and, to a very important degree, Commander Kenneth D. Coffin, USNR, who proved a veritable storehouse of information on Abbott Hall history and customs. Lieutenant (jg) Edward F. Healy, USNR and Lieutenant (jg) George Dies, USNR, were of particular aid to the editor. Lieutenant (jg) David D. Malcolm, USNR, deserves special notice for his "Five Busy Years," the easy-reading, accurate history which highlights this volume. My debt to him for his effort is unpayable. Now it only remains for me to state that any profits earned by "Abbott Hall, USNR" will be given to Navy Relief; also that this volume is not official and does not reflect the views of the Navy Department or the naval service at large. WILLIAM HARRISON FETRIDGE Lieutenant, U.S.N.R. Editor CHRONOLOGY... A Calendar of Event: 1940 12 AUGUST —Capt. B. B. Wygant, USN, (Ret.), reported to Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, to organize and take com- mand of the school . . . Fifteen other officers and Capt. Wygant comprised the staff of the Midshipmen's School. 9 SEPTEMBER— Moved school to Abbott Hall— 4 decks. 16 SEPTEMBER — First students arrived . . . 399 men . . . Staff: 26 officers, 12 ship's company . . . Executive Officer: Comdr. Graeme Bannerman, USN. 16 DECEMBER— Class 1 graduated . . . 337 officers . . . Four decks of Tower Hall acquired to provide housing for 406 men , . . Class 2 entered, 906 men. 1941 14 MARCH— Class 2 graduated ... 739 officers. 17 MARCH— Class 3 entered . . . 875 men. 12 JUNE— Class 3 graduated . . . 730 officers. 16 JUNE— Class 4 entered . . . 860 men. . 15 MAY — Class 7 entered 327 20 MAY— Class A (student officers) entered . . . 931 men . . . Student personnel housed in Tower Hall increased to 999 . . . Total enrollment now 1258. 2 JUNE — Yachting Program under auspices of Navy League of U. S. and Chicago yachts- men begins. 1 JULY — Contracted for use of all of the space in the Armory. 18 JULY — Moved the Discipline^ Ordnance, Seamanship and Medical Departments from Abbott Hall, and the Navigation, Supply and Disbursing Departments from Tower Hall to the Armory. 21 JULY— Class A graduated . . . 915 officers. 27 JULY— Class B entered . . . 1015 men. 1 AUGUST — Increased the number of students quartered in Abbott Hall from 399 to 700, taking over 8 decks. 3 AUGUST— Class 7 graduated ... 307 officers. 7 AUGUST— Class 8 entered 638 12 SEPTEMBER— Class 4 graduated 686 officers. 18 SEPTEMBER— Class 5 entered . . . 923 men. 7 DECEMBER— WAR! Japs attack Pearl Harbor, 19 Abbott Hall graduates killed. 27 AUGUST— Class 9 entered ... 403 men . . . Total enrollment increased to approxi- mately 2100. 1 SEPTEMBER — Administration Department established. 26 SEPTEMBER— Class B graduaded . . . 984 officers. 1942 8 JANUARY -Lieut. Cmdr. H. P. Lowenstein, Jr., USNR, assigned as Executive Officer, relieving Commander G. Bannerman, USN. 16 JANUARY— Class 5 graduated ... 802 officers. 22 JANUARY- -Class 6 entered . 952 men. 14 MAY— Class 6 graduated .851 officers. 1 OCTOBER— Class 10 entered .1116 men. 30 OCTOBER— Class 8 graduated . . 588 officers. 10 NOVEMBER— First section of Class 11 entered . . . First class to have indoctrin- ation at Abbott Hall. 14 NOVEMBER— Class 9 graduated . . . 369 officers. 17 NOVEMBER— Remainder of Class 11 en- tered . . . Total 995 men. 16 DECEMBER -Tower Hall occupied com- pletely; capacity increased to 1368 students. 24 DECEMBER— Class 10 graduated . . . 1033 officers. 31 DECEMBER— Class 12 entered . . 980 men. 1943 9 FEBRUARY— First draft of WAVES re- ported for duty as members of Ship's Com- pany. 5 MARCH— Class 11 graduated officers. 9 MARCH Class 13 entered men. 23 APRIL— Class 12 graduated officers. 29 APRIL— Class 14 entered . . 885 1026 782 1187 men. 30 MAY— Commander J. H. Service, USNR, assigned duty as Executive Officer, relieving Commander H. P. Lowenstein, USNR. 19 JUNE — Captain Wygant assigned additional duty as Commanding Officer of Navy V-12 units . . . Northwestern University, Medical and Dental Schools . . . University of Illinois Medical and Dental Schools . . . Loyola University Medical and Dental Schools . . . University of Chicago Medical School. 1 JULY— Class 13 graduated 8 JULY— Class 15 entered . 893 officers. 20 AUGUST— Class 14 graduated . . 1055 officers . . . Ten Thousandth commission awarded at this station. 23 AUGUST— Bridge erected across Michigan Avenue. 1 SEPTEMBER— Class 16 entered men. 1304 3 SEPTEMBER — First training cruises on USS Wilmette are begun. 28 OCTOBER -Class 15 graduated . 709 officers. 23 NOVEMBER— Class 17 entered .707 men. 24 NOVEMBER -Seamanship Department re- ceived 4 YPs transferred from Annapolis for training of Midshipmen on Lake Mich- igan. 22 DECEMBER— Class 16 graduated . . . 1119 officers. 1944 13 JANUARY— Class 18 entered . . . 1324 men. 17 MARCH— Class 17 graduated ... 631 officers. 24 MARCH— Class 19 entered ... 768 men. 10 MAY— Class 18 graduated . . . 1152 officers. 18 MAY— Class 20 entered ... 1223 men. 21 MAY- — Church Parade for Divine Service was instituted. 19 JULY — Class 19 graduated . . . 677 officers. 26 JULY— Class 21 entered ... 732 men. 1 AUGUST — 4 additional YP's transferred from Annapolis. 14 SEPTEMBER— Class 20 graduated . . . 1150 officers. 21 SEPTEMBER— Class 22 entered . . . 1431 men. 22 NOVEMBER— Class 21 graduated . . . 636 officers. 29 NOVEMBER— Class 23 entered 716 men. 1945 16 JANUARY— Class 22 graduated . . 1268 officers. 24 JANUARY- -Class 24 entered ... 1427 men. 10 MARCH — Navy Department announces de- cision to close Abbott Hall on 30 July, 1945. 29 MARCH— Class 23 graduated ... 641 officers. 2 APRIL— Class 25 entered 618 men. 8 MAY- — V-E Day. Thousands of Abbott men on duty in European theatre. 24 MAY— Class 24 graduated officers. 30 JULY— Class 25 graduate officers. 1274 ***** # • s^r^vfm^i BENYAURD BOURNE WYGANT Captain, United States Navy, Retired COMMANDING OFFICER id An Institution is the lengthened shadow of a man . . . EMERSON CAPTAIN WYGANT A Portrait by Lieut. William Harrison Fetridge, USNR X TEXT FALL, the young people of *■ ^ Elgin Academy, Elgin, Illinois, will greet a new headmaster. Doubt- lessly, he will be somewhat sombrely clothed in a suit of grey or brown or blue but it is not unlikely that his tie will offer a more cheerful color. His hair will be grey-on-the-way-to- white as will his fulsome but closely cropped mustache. There will be in- herent dignity in his manner as befits one of so majestic a face and regal a bearing; he will speak slowly, delib- erately and emphatically, albeit not without a trace of humor; and he will stand erect with head high, perfectly at ease with his new duties. The young people whose hands he will shake will not be without awe for this important man, for he inspires an awesome respect among individuals far above the preparatory school age. But they will, upon contact, find him a very human individual, indeed; a man of integrity and principle, of justice and sympathy who, in a jargon that sounds strange emanating from so pontifical a figure, explains his decisions with the baseball colloquialism, "I call them as I see them." Elgin Academy's new headmaster, as every Abbott Hall man has long since recognized, will be Captain Ben- yaurd Bourne Wygant, United States Navy, Retired, until 1 August 1945, Commanding Officer, U. S. Naval Re- serve Midshipmen's School, Abbott Hall, Northwestern University, Chi- cago. Already, it must seem strange to the twenty thousand graduates of Abbott Hall that the school which was their home for four of the most important months of their lives, will be no more; that the streets which they trod, the classrooms in 11 Captain TFygant which they recited, the rooms and dining halls and lounges which they possessed, will belong to a new race of civilian students, unmindful of the traditions of the Navy and unaware of the history blue uniformed men had made there. Most of all, it will seem impossible — aye, incredible — that within the bounded area of State Street on the west, Pearson Street to the north, the lake shore to the east, and Huron Street on the south, the great, grey figure and the powerful personality of the "old man" will not still hold sway. But so it will be. And although he will be in mufti on a quiet campus in a quiet, little midwestern town, whenever Abbott Hall men meet any- where in the world — in Europe, in Asia, in the broad reaches of the Pacific, among their first questions will be, "What have you heard of the Cap- tain?" The Captain in reference will always be B. B. Wygant, skipper at Abbott Hall. How come this unexampled devo- tion ? Inquiring around for the answer to this question, you will find a variety of reasons presented. Commander Service, the Executive Officer, says: "He is a perfect example of what a naval officer should be." Lieutenant Tesch, Bronze Star win- ner for his heroism as a PT skipper, will assure you: "He seemed to give each Abbott man a part of himself." A midshipman of the 25th class, identity unknown, summed it up:"The Captain is Abbott Hall." Wygant himself is the one least aware of his achievements. "Any other four-striper, of somewhat similar background, could probably have done this job substantially better," he will tell you. It is safe to say that this is one subject which the Captain doesn't know what he's talking about. The powers that be in Washington, not unnoted for their singular ability to put the right man in the wrong place, This was B. B. Wygant at 16 — "naval cadet" at Annapolis crossed themselves up when, in August 1940, they sent Wygant to Chicago, Illinois, to organize a midshipmen's school at Northwestern University's downtown campus. And they have shown surprisingly good sense in keep- ing the doughty captain at his edu- cational chores despite his continued and insistent pleas for a sea command. 12 A Portrait It should be pointed out, however, that his failure to get to sea during World War II is one of the big dis- appointments of his lifetime. And he is not consoled when he is told that he has contributed far more ashore than he ever could have at sea. ANTICIPATED WAR IN '35 Wvgant was convinced as long ago as 1935 that we should some day have to fight the Nazis and Japs. He had just been retired then, and he fumed and fretted in his civilian hab- iliments as he saw a mild, carefree America neglect its preparations while the ammunition factories and ship yards of Japan, Germany and Italy hummed with activity. Just as he had done prior to America's entry in the first World War, he spoke out boldly, warning again and again that a war would come and that we must prepare for it. Along with others of similar perspicacity, he was called a "war monger" and told to "shush." Dismayed with his countrymen's at- titude and powerless to change it, he sat down and with fine prophecy and typical courage, wrote a letter to the Navy Department requesting permis- sion for duty afloat when war came. This letter, as far as he now recalls was never answered, but on the basis of it, early in 1940, he wrote Rear Admiral Chester Nimitz, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, requesting as- signment to active duty at sea. Eventually, inquiry was made of Wvgant at Los Angeles where he was serving with unexampled vigor as Fire Commissioner, whether he would be interested in heading up a midship- men's school then being planned for Northwestern University in Chicago. He replied that he was ready to serve his country anyplace and in any post. Early in August he received a dis- patch directing him to return to active duty as Commanding Officer of the contemplated school. Several days later, attired once again in the blue uniform of the Navy, he and Mrs. Wvgant headed for the great mid- western city. On 16 August 1940 he assumed his new c o m m a n d which strangely enough, was to offer him the oppor- tunity to stay in one place longer than he had ever stayed anywhere in his sixty adventurous years of life. He did not know then that it would be almost precisely five years later, before his task was finished — after he had trained twenty-two thousand men — more than had graduated from Ann- apolis in all its 100 year history; and more officers than the Navy possessed in the regular Navy and Naval Re- serve in 1937 — men who would serve with valor and distinction in all the seven seas and five oceans. In retrospect, the Captain admitted that the task that lay directly ahead of him on that warm, Chicago morning did not faze him whatsoever. In his forty years of naval service, he had served several tours of duty at the Naval Academy, both as an instructor and administrative officer; two terms at the Naval War College in Newport; and two years as Professor of Naval Science and Tactics and head of the N.R.O.T.C. unit at Harvard Univer- sity. He felt both competent and ex- perienced for his new duty although he did admit dismay at the lack of teaching aids, textbooks and equip- ment. But with the fifteen officers 13 Captain Wygant recruited from his staff he set stead- fastly to work. HE BUILDS A TAUT SHIP During those early years he was not far from being a martinet. He readily identified himself as "irascible" and indicated clearly that he expected top- notch performance from staff and stu- dents alike. He demanded that his staff maintain the virtues of a naval officer as laid down by John Paul Jones and he expected no less from his midshipmen. Like all Annapolis men, he probably was dubious at the outset of success as regards making civilians competent naval officers in a few months— a position, from which, if he ever held it, he has long since wholeheartedly retreated. From the very first, however, he was the midshipmen's great champion. He lectured long and often to his staff that the midshipmen were men, not boys, and that they should be accorded the treatment of adults. He, in turn, treated] the midshipmen as men; he was firm; he was direct; he was ex- plicit. When men erred, he meted out demerits and punishment quickly and decisively. When men faltered in their studies, he studied records, lis- tened attentively to their company officers' recommendations, and made his decision. In June, 1945, a com- pany officer who had observed the Captain in countless interviews with midshipmen up for academic defi- ciency, said: "He has an amazing knack of talking to a man for five or ten minutes and sizing up the man's aptitude and ability. In two and one half years, I have never seen him make a mistake." The fact that some 13% ( >f the midshipmen candi- dates have fallen by the wayside for one reason or other indicates that he had many opportunities to make mis- takes. Through the years he admits fre- quent concern over some of the de- cisions he had to make. He realized with great sympathy how earnest were the midshipmen's ambitions to be com- missioned and he gave each man every break he could. But once determined that the good of the service would be better served by the man's dismissal, he acted forthrightly and decisively. Sometimes he felt a man's efforts deserved particular note. There is at least one case where, having been forced to send a man to Great Lakes for deficiency in Navigation although the man had striven mightily to pass, he wrote the man's father a letter, commending him on his son's char- acter and efforts and indicating his personal disappointment that, aca- demic-wise, the boy had not made the grade. The staff, which grew from the original 26 officers to ten times that number in 1944, came quickly to honor and respect him although damning his ubiquity. One never knew where he would turn up next. And his all-seeing eyes seemed to observe the most minute flaw in man or station. Chick White, the fabulous civilian custodian of the Armory, encountered this capa- city of the Captain's early in the school's history. In 1945 he was still saying, "He can be looking due north and find something wrong due south." Duty officers knew this characteristic, too, and they steeled themselves to answer any question the Captain might ask, no matter how far-fetched. 14 A Portrait One day, the Captain arrived in his gig at the Armory. The Armory Duty Officer, duly warned by his accomplice at Abbott Hall, was awaiting him. The Captain, apparently in a partic- ularly quizzical mood, opened a bar- rage of questions: What was the num- ber of that platoon drilling over on the East field? What were the wet and dry bulb readings, for the last hour? What exercises had ship's corn- On his 51st birthday, Wygant took over command of the U.S.S. Colorado pany engaged in that morning? How many men on the binnacle list? What was the minimum temperature in the magazines? To each question, the Duty Officer returned a swift, accur- ate answer. Finally, as they stood momentarily in the foyer of the Ar- mory, the Captain's eve caught the broad flight of steps leading to the second deck. "How many stairs to the second deck?" he abruptly asked. "I'm sorry, sir, but I don't know," answered the dismayed Duty Officer. "You should," said the Captain. 'There should be nothing about this station that you don't know'." With that, the Captain strode ofT to his quarters leaving the bewildered Duty Officer open mouthed with amazement. Older hands assured the officer later that the Captain's action was merelv his method of teaching the officer to be on his toes. Wygant has always encouraged his officers to think for themselves and to strive to build up the school. His department heads have been given a free hand with their departments but he has required that he be informed of the most minute detail of their efforts. He has constantly prodded and stimulated and there has never been a minute when he has not seemed "on top of his job." Despite his huge task, the Captain early demonstrated an enormous ca- pacity for having fun. At the frequent staff parties, no one laughed more loudly than he at the skits which ribbed him unmercifully. He enjoyed Chicago and the hospitality showered upon himself and Mrs. Wygant. They were forever being invited out. Once, at a country club far out in the western suburbs, an Abbott Hall officer en- countered the Captain and Mrs. Wyg- ant. The only disturbing factor in the meeting was that the Captain was wearing a tweed suit. The Captain, not in the least non-plussed at being thus discovered, called the officer aside. "Jones," he said, a twinkle in his eyes, "I am dressed for exercise, of course. Yes sir," he continued, warming to his joke, "a little elbow-bending exercise." Among other things, the Captain was not a stuffed shirt. 15 Captain Wygant It should be pointed out that it is only on rare occasions that the Captain indulges in this form of exercise and that when he does it is at best only a mild effort. Nor does he smoke. Years ago he gave up tobacco when he became convinced his health would be better for it. His daughter, Bar- bara, reports that giving it up wasn't enough. Every two years or so, just to prove he is the demon nicotine's master, he will smoke for several days, then abruptly abstain once again. Barbara says she believes he is just tempering his character. ;, Says Commodore Magruder today: "Under Captain Wygant, the Colorado gained a reputation for maneuvering with boldness and at high speeds." The loyalty accorded him by staff' and graduates has always moved the Captain greatly. He confesses that he does not understand it, but the evidences are so marked that it is inescapable. In his character, in his demeanor, are those qualities that exact loyalty. As one officer remarked, Wygant of all the thousands of naval officers he had ever known, alone pos- sesses all the twenty-three virtues listed as those an officer should possess. He is patently honest, just, self-effac- ing and noble of purpose. There is no trace of the apple-polisher, the glad- hander, the politician in his makeup; it would probably have been better tor his career if there had been. Ideals and standards are imperishable things with him and no personal advantage will he ever seek by dipping his colors. These qualities are obvious to all who contact him and even the most civilian- minded naval reservist does not fail to admire them and pay hom- age to their possessor. HIS LIFE BEGINS IN KANSAS A study of YVygant's life reveals the experiences that tempered his char- acter. He was born on January 4, 1881 in the army post at Fort Dodge, Kansas, the second son of Lt. Henry Wygant of the 24th Infantry, United States Army and Hellene Solett Wy gant. It was only by chance that Kansas became his birth state. The Wygants, recently returned from re- cruiting duty in the East, were sta- tioned at Ft. Davis in the mountains of Texas. Late in the year of 1880 — only four years after Custer's Last Stand — word was received of an ominous gathering of Indian tribes. Lt. Wygant and other members of his post received orders sending them to Indian Terri- tory via Missouri to prepare tor the expected outbreak. Gathering up women and children, furniture and personal belongings, they began the long arduous trek to their new station. Each night, camp would be made but frequently the country was so barren that water was nowhere to be found and the thirst of the horses was satisfied only by wiping out their mouths with a damp sponge. It was 16 A P, ortrait difficult going but eventually Fort Dodge was reached. Here, Lt. Wygant was detached and placed on dutv while his wife awaited the arrival of her child. He arrived, as stated, and was named Benyaurd Bourne Wygant, tak- ing his first name from a West Point classmate of his father's who was later to play an important role in his career, and his second name from his mother's family, the Bournes, who years later the Captain proudly identified as "Cape Cod folk." The boyhood that followed was an adventurous one. Theodore Roose- velt, who spent those same years on a western ranch recovering from his grief at the death of his wife, recalls that exciting era with the following vivid passage in its "Autobiography": "It was still the Wild West in those days, Far West, the West of Owen Y\ ister's stories and Frederick Rem- ington's drawings, the West of the Indian and the buffalo-hunter, the soldier and the cow-puncher . . . It was a land of vast silent spaces, of lonely rivers, and of plains where the wild game stared at the passing horseman. It was a land of scattered ranches, of herds of long-horned cattle, and of reckless riders who unmoved looked in the eyes of life or of death. In that land we led a free and hardy life, with horse and with rifle." V\ ygant's family moved from army post to army post throughout the west. Sometimes the frontier fort included log cabins, sometimes adobe huts. The furniture consisted usually of sofas and chairs made from boxes and crates, together with a few cherished pieces brought from the Fast. But the customs of eastern civilization were followed faithfully by the Army men and their wives. They never relin- quished the realization that they were cultured ladies and gentlemen. At ten, Wygant was an experienced horseman and the proud owner of a gun. At daybreak he would be orr across the plains for an expedition into the mountains. He became the friend of Indian and prospector, trapper and cowboy, officer and infantryman. His early education was directed by his mother and Wygant recalls that "... she gave me a lot of spankings about multiplication tables." On some posts, an instructor was engaged to teach all the army children, but at best, the education was haphazard, for changes of duty were frequent. W ygant's early years were spent in Indian Ter- ritory, later to win statehood as Okla- homa. But there were other years spent in Arizona, New Mexico, Wash- ington State, North Carolina, Ken- tucky and Utah. In Kentucky, Wyg- ant prepared at Central University, later known as Centre College. Looking back on those happy but rugged frontier days, Wygant says: "It was an ideal life for a boy — a life entirely absent of evil influences." Surely those early days were to for- ever leave their mark upon his char- acter. HE IS APPOINTED TO ANNAPOLIS When Wygant was fifteen, his father sought vainly to secure for him an ap- pointment to West Point. But ap- pointments in those days were difficult to achieve and even more political than today. It was at this juncture that Captain Benyaurd communicated with the now Captain Wygant that he felt 17 Captain JFygant sure he could secure an appointment to Annapolis tor his namesake if he could be sent at once to St. Augustine, Florida and establish residence there with him. Benyaurd was sent off at once and in 1896 was appointed by Congressman Davis of Florida to the Naval Academy. Wygant reported to Annapolis when he was sixteen years of age. He was still a boy, but he was in rugged, good health and the desire for selfless service to his country already ranked high among his ambitions. Annapolis, in 1897 as the Captain now recalls, was a "sleepy, sleepy, old town." There were no street cars, the streets were of cobblestone and there were only a half dozen fine houses, the mansions built by the early planters. The Academy, too, seemed untouched by the years. The buildings were old and decrepit and in such bad state of repair that a Con- gressional Board of Visitors had con- demned them two years earlier as a menace to health and safety. Even then plans were afoot to rebuild the Naval Academy and during Wygant's days as a naval cadet, as midshipmen of his era were called, he saw many of the historic old buildings torn down and new ones rise in their places. It was an entirely fascinating ex- perience tor the young man and he fitted smoothly into the well ordered life of the Academy. He says that he did not distinguish himself either as a student or athlete but his Annapolis career indicated that he was already a man of courage. In 1898, upon the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he was one of twenty men to volunteer for immediate duty at sea and his wish was promptly answered by his being sent to the north coast ot Cuba on the Viking, a reconverted yacht. But the war was short lived and he was returned to the Academy in August of '98. In 1901, along with Ernest J. King, John Downes and Adolphus Andrews he was graduated from the Academy and was ordered aboard the battleship Kearsage. In those days, men were not commissioned until they had served two years at sea as "Passed Midship- men". Wygant loved the life at sea and learned at first hand the mysteries of the West Indies, of Trinidad, San Juan and Havana. Eventually, he be- came the "bull midshipman." In this capacity, Wygant had to tell other men when they had to go on duty. An episode occurred during this period that clearly indicated Wygant's sense of justice. He came into the midshipmen's wardroom one day and indicated that one Midshipman Smith must go on duty. Smith, a surly 200 pounder, demurred and added insult to injury by asserting, "You're always picking on me, Wygant." Wygant replied that if he felt that way about it, they had better go ashore — after Smith had completed the assigned duty — and settle it once and for al 1 . They re- tired shortly thereafter to Staten Island where they fought ten bitter rounds to a draw. Wygant says now, "They were nice to call it a draw. He broke my nose, cut my lip and blackened both eyes." But from then on, the two were great friends, and never again was there a complaint when he designated a man to do some task. is A Portrait HE IS COMMISSIONED AN ENSIGN In 1903, Wygant was commissioned an Ensign and ordered to the gunboat Newport^ a 900-ton ship with auxiliary sails. Aboard the Newport he served as a watch officer, navigator and chief engineer. Among his shipmates was Harold Stark, his particular crony. Together they had an hilarious time. It was hard duty but the young ensign enjoyed it thoroughly. He had his sea legs now and he determined that his life henceforth would be spent as much on the bounding main as he could arrange for. One night, 80 miles from Boston, this decision received a great test, for the Newport" s propellor dropped off and it was necessary to set sail. The time was December and the weather that ensued for the follow- ing two weeks was everything but fair; there were gales, snow, and fog in abundance. It took two weeks to make the 400 miles into Chesapeake Bay. But Wygant was undeterred in his ambition by the experience. He immediately asked for reassignment to sea duty. He had many narrow escapes with death. As a visitor aboard the U.S.S. Georgia, he was asked by the Admiral to time the various movements in the turret. But the turret proved crowded and he was told to stand by outside. A moment later, the gun exploded and twelve men inside the turret died. These, however, were the fortunes of naval life and Wygant shrugged them off. There were many pleasant experiences which he recalls with lavish happiness. He was always welcomed into the homes of splendid people. There were endless parties when he was ashore and even aboard ship, civilians were welcomed with great hospitality when the ship was in har- bor. One day in 1905, his ship put into Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As Wygant walked along the dock, a lieutenant caught up with him. "Have you met the Heffenger girls yet?" queried the lieutenant. Wygant admitted that he had not. "Come along with me, then," said the lieutenant. "You don't know Portsmouth until you have." That day he saw Katherine Heffen- ger seated on a piano bench. She was wearing a red dress and she was a thing of beauty. A few months later he had asked for her hand, and two years later, after a tour of duty on the Vermont he came to Portsmouth to claim his bride. It is said that you can tell a gentle- man by the clothes he wears and the girl he marries. The naval uniform prevented B. B. Wygant from demon- strating any individuality in attire but his choice of wife identified him as a man of discernment. Almost forty years later, in 1945, it was plain to all that the marriage had been a great success. Actually, marry- ing into the Navy was a natural thing for Katharine Heffenger to do. Her great-grandfather had been Purser on the Philadelphia of Tripolitan War fame; and among her forbears were Commodores Spence and Pickering. Besides, Portsmouth was a Navy town. It was logical that Portsmouth women should make excellent Navy wives. The couple were almost immediately separated, as is the way with Navy life, Wygant going out to sea again. But in 1908, he was ordered to shore 19 Captain Wygant duty as an instructor in Navigation at Annapolis. They lived in a "flat" and Wygant's duties were not too ex- acting; there were picnics, socials and, on rare occasions, a visit to Washing- ton where President Taft held sway. It was a quiet, happy life. In 1910, the shore duty ended as abruptly as it had come, and Wygant went to sea as watch officer and navi- gator on the battleship Vermont. It proved an interesting assignment, al- though the ship was old and slow and although there was little to whet the ambition of one whose business was war. He spent nine full months away from home on a European cruise. MEXICAN EXPERIENCES Early in 1913 he returned once again to Annapolis, this time as a Discipline officer but when the Mex- ican disturbances broke out a year later, Wygant immediately put in a request to go to sea. That was the place for a fighting man when there was a fight at hand. He was 33, on the threshold of full maturity; he was confident of his knowledge. His train- ing had been good. Accordingly, he was given his first command — skipper of the U. S. S. Wakke. In his squadron, also skipper- ing his first ship was Ernest J. King, his Annapolis classmate. Both were "rarin' for action." But Mexico's navy was so impotent that the young lieutenant commanders had little to do. Navy-wise, the Mexican war proved a most peaceful affair. Eventually, Wygant returned to shore again, this time to serve at the Naval War College in Newport, R. I. It was an intriguing assignment but These, Our Heroes During the past five years of peace ar war, Abbott Hall graduates have consisl ently distinguished themselves on dui throughout the world. Many have w<^ high decorations for acts of great heroisi or outstanding service to our countrl Here is an incomplete list of these hero) Abbott Hall men. CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONQ Ensign Francis C. Flaherty (deceased) NAVY CROSS Lt. Samuel H. Alexander Lt (jg) George E. Cox Ensign Robert A. Dibb Lt. C. W. Faulkner Lt. L. H. Gamble Lt. George K. Petritz Lt (jg) John W. Randall (posthumously) Lt (jg) Seymour D. Ruchamkin Ensign Robert E. Smith LEGION OF MERIT Lt (jg) Robert D. Frey Lt. Louis G. Johnson Lt. Robert G. Osborne Lt. Lessley G. Pinkerton SILVER STAR Ensign A. B. Akers Ensign Alfred W. Anderson (missing in action) Lt. Frank W. Avers Ensign Raymond Bjorklund Lt. (jg) Buford A. Booth Lt (jg) Robert A. Brettell Lt. Jack W. Bristow Ensign Theodore R. Chrischilles Lt. Edward D. Corboy Lt (jg) George B. Craighill, Jr. Lt. Francis J. Doerfler Lt. Frank Freeland Lt. Lester H. Gamble Lt. (jg) James Brent Greene Lt. James R. Gregory Ensign William F. Griffin Lt. Russell E. Hamachek Lt. George S. Hamm Lt. (jg) Benjamin W. Haseltine, Jr. Lt (jg) John K. Hayes Ensign William C. Hedrick, Jr. (missing in action) Lt. (jg) Benjamin F. Jetton (missing in action) Ensign Paul J. Kashmer Lt. (jg) Henry B. King Ensign Rudolph H. Kroetz Ensign Clarence S. Lagerlof 20 Lt (jg) Robert W. Lassen Lt. Robert F. Lvnch, ]r. Lt (jg) J. E. McElroy Lt (jg) John A. McWaid Lt (jg) James Mercer Lt. James H. Moore Ensign Frederick X. Moses, Jr. Lt. William E. Xorrington, Jr. Ensign Richard J. O'Neill Lt. Robert G. Osborne Lt (jg) Daniel J. Raftis, Jr. Ensign Iliff D. Richardson Ensign Severin L. Rombach Lt. Sidney J. Smith, Jr. Lt. Alfred A. Snowball Lt (jg) Albert P. Thomas Lt. Leopold R. Tilburne Ensign William J. Travis Ensign Charles M. Ulrich Lt. Peter L. Vander Jagt Ensign George R. Woodmore (posthumously) BRONZE STAR Lt (jg) John H. Brigleb Lt (jg) Robert B. Cook Lt (jg) Jefferson L. Copeland Ensign Marvin R. Davis Ensign Arthur Edelstein Lt (jg) Marvin H. Eubanks Lt (jg) Charles O. Frost (posthumously) Lt (jg) Sam D. Fuston, Jr. Lt (jg) Marshall E. Geller Lt (jg) Norman R. Gerhold Lt. Thomas H. Gosnell Lt (jg) Alton E. Harveg Lt. Frank B. Lawson Lt (jg) David M. Payne Lt. Samuel R. Pruett Lt (jg) John B. Ricker, Jr. Lt (jg) Robert L. Smith Lt. Andrew K. Taylor Lt (jg) John C. Tavlor Lt (jg) R. W. Tesch Lt (jg) Robert B. Woodcock DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS Ensign John Charles Snyder, Jr. WY AND MARINE CORPS MEDAL Ensign Carrol J. Donohue Lt. James P. Drake Lt (jg) H. E. Hiestand Ensign Howard W. Taylor Lt (jg) James R. Wollenberg COMMENDATION Lt (jg) Charles E. Bachman Ensign Howard E. Carraway Lt. Edward D. Corboy Lt. Thomas E. Delate Lt (jg) John W. Ewell Ensign William H. Farrar Ensign Kenneth W. Tipping Lt (jg) Paul W. Thompson Ensign Charles R. White, Jr. A Portrait he was uncomfortable about America's attitude towards the great war going on in Europe. He began to fuss and fret, muttering at first, then saying out loud that, "This war is our fight." He was told that it was impolitic to ex- press himself thusly but he believed his thesis so thoroughly that he re- fused to be restrained. Eventually, the belief grew in him that we could not stay (Ait of the fracas, so he put in his request to go to sea again. In 1916, therefore, he received orders di- recting him to take command of the U.S.S. Tucker, a destrover. There began for him, then, the three year period that he now identifies as "The best time of my life." He adds, 'It was hard. It was exciting. But most important, I was doing the thing I was trained to do'." He loved his ship — its graceful lines, its agility, its speed. He felt inde- pendent. There was no one breathing down his neck telling him what to do and how to do it. He was head man and he warmed to the responsibility and grew in stature because of it. Quickly he demonstrated his capacity for leadership. In all tests, his ship stood well up. His crew was sharp, eager and loyal. They looked forward to the fight they knew would come. War was declared in April 1917. A month later, the Tucker arrived in Queenstown, Ireland, to do battle with the U-boats. Two Hun subs were sighted on the trip over. Many more were to be seen — and some to be sunk — before the Tucker s work was done. It was the time of the worst sink- ings. Wygant still recalls the tragic SOS's and the messages reading, "Ship Torpedoed. Sinking fast." It Captain Wygant was the Tucker s job on such occasions to penetrate U-boat infested areas, seek out the survivors and pick them up. Throughout the war, the Tucker rescued 100 survivors from torpedoed ships. It was hard and exciting work. It called for determination and cour- age. It was man's work. Wygant still avers that he is not sure whether his ship ever got a U- boat. "We dropped plenty of depth charges," he relates, "and fired plenty of guns, but whether we really got a sub, I don't know." For his brave work, he received a Navy Cross. With typical modesty, he says, "What I did doesn't compare with what men do today to get the Navy Cross." But those who know him feel that there would be no sit- uation where he would not with utter fearlessness serve his country. In January 1918, Wygant was sent back to the United States with other DD captains to get a new destroyer — the Calhoun, then building. The war ended, however, and he never got across. Once he got almost as far as the Azores while escorting a convoy, but he was having trouble with his fuel, so he withdrew and headed for Bermuda. On his way, a radio report indicated that a Force 10 (hurricane) wind surrounded the island. Inas- much as New York was almost equi- distant, he headed west, and was cheered to see the skies clear up. Con- sidering his ship's ailments, he needed every break in the weather to reach port. Suddenly, however, a senior officer in Bermuda radioed: "Have you seen tug?" Apparently a tug had been caught in the midst of the storm and had not been heard from. Wygant's decision was instantan- eous. Despite his ship's perilous con- dition, he turned abruptly about and headed for the hurricane. "As one sailor to another," Wygant will tell you now, "there was simply nothing else I could do." He gave orders to batten down all hatches, and to secure all gear. It was a wild, terrifying ride. The slim splinter of a destroyer was lashed by the gale, its engines and rudder almost useless things. Wygant had grim visions of being disabled to the windward of the Bermuda reefs — but he kept stead- fastly on the look for the tug which he never found. Eventually the storm abated and he reached Bermuda. In a letter received later, Mrs. Wyg- ant asked if anything had been dis- turbing him at 3 a.m. on that partic- ular night. She had been in Cambridge and had had the strangest forboding that he was in dire danger! In 1919, Wygant came ashore to the Naval War College once again as staff Communications Officer. He had made a study of world cable and radio and it was his job to instruct officers attending the College in his findings. Later on, he was put in charge of a correspondence course in "Strategy and Tactics and International Law." Though he knew it not, his sea and shore duty were equipping him for important service to his country in World War II. EXEC ON THE "CALIFORNIA" In 1922 he went to sea as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. California, serving there a year before being given com- mand of the U.S.S. Melville, a de- stroyer tender. Peace had made sea duty far less exciting and Wygant now 22 A Portrait recalls little that was adventuresome. Actually, Congress' parsimonious bud- get for fuel prevented our ships from making too extended cruises. In 1925, he returned once again to the War College at Newport. He had two children now, Benyaurd Bourne YVygant, Jr. and Barbara Bourne YVygant, both born while he was away at sea. Lite was rich for the family, and thev enjoyed a con- tented, happy life. At night, the now Commander Wygant would read aloud from one of the endless books that surrounded him. He loved poetry, and even tried his hand somewhat success- fully at writing it. His daughter now recalls that her father never spanked her. If she had been accused of some wrong, his demeanor was similar to his attitude at Captain's Mast. He apprised himself of all information. He inquired as to her guilt. Once he had reached his decision, he would in- struct her to hold out her hands, which he would slap resoundingly. "It was humiliating," Barbara now relates. And she adds, "Ben really got a spanking from father once — because he told a story." Those who know B. B. Wygant realize that there could be no greater crime than that. Wygant took time out to write a few articles for Naval Institute Pro- ceedings. One boldly anticipated a war with Japan — but his warnings meant little to an America still flushed with the results of the Washington Disarmament Conference. It was a day of eclipse for Navy men. In 1927, four-striper Wygant was ordered to the command of the Cleve- land^ a small, slow cruiser then oper- ating in Central America. It was part of the "Special Service Squadron" and saw duty at Nicaragua, the Honduras, and Panama. One of the highlights of this duty was Wygant's selection to take President-Elect Herbert Hoover up a South American river on his good- will tour. He found the great man taciturn, tactless and brilliant. "Hoover was too much concerned with major problems to make minor chat- ter," he observed. "But he indicated a knowledge of great depth on many things; he was truly a great man." In the fall of 1929, Wygant returned to shore duty with his assignment as Professor of Naval Science and Tactics and Commanding Officer of the N.R. O.T.C. at Harvard University. The program was new, the challenge in a peace-demanding world substantial. He clashed with peace-mongers who attempted to rid Harvard of its naval training and came out with colors riv- ing. His opponents found him no willy nilly adversary. He could fight with words as well as with naval guns. But he was glad to get back to sea and on January 14, 1932, his 51st birthday, he took command of the U.S.S. Colorado, the great battleship of the fleet. It was a grave responsi- bility, but once again he accepted it with equanimity. "I was not intimidated as I was by my first destroyer command," he re- lated in 1945. "I had handled so many ships of varying sizes that I was con- vinced I could handle the Colorado too." His confidence was not misplaced. This ship, as had been all his ships, was taut. It stood well up in gunnery and a spirit of achievement soon pervaded its crew. They soon recognized that an experienced, capable hand was guid- ing their vessel, that tides and currents 23 Captain Wygant and winds would never deter him. His Executive Officer aboard the Colorado was Cary Magruder, later to win renown as Commodore Magruder, Commanding Officer of the Naval Training Station, Newport, R. I. Writing of Captain Wygant in 1945, Magruder said: "At sea he was a sailorman's captain — bold and com- petent, that combination of qualities that always gets a favored nod from lady luck. As C. O. of the Colorado^ that ship soon gained a reputation for maneuvering with boldness and at high speeds. Under Captain W 7 ygant she always was one of the smartest of the battleships. . . . You can't be more accurate (in your evaluation of Captain W 7 ygant) than to invoke a high order of the '3 CV: (1) Courage, (2) Character, and (3) Competence." In 1932, though the country at large was unaware of it, strained relations existed between Japan and the United States. The Colorado headed for Hawaii as a safety measure. Mrs. Wygant, convinced that he was on his way to war, wired her husband: "Come back with your shield or upon it." With that, he was willing to face any enemy with confidence. But war did not materialize and in July, 1933, he went to the West Vir- ginia as Chief of Staff, Commander Battleships. A year later, aware that despite his record he was not to win flag rank, he came ashore to Norfolk. The realization that he would not achieve the ambition of all Annapolis men did not crush him although it must have been a bitter pill, indeed. But he was not one to inveigh against authority, nor one to cry over spilled milk. He had done his best. He felt alive with knowledge that could be used by his country. But gracefully, with inspiring sportsmanship, he ac- cepted his retirement. Indicative of his attitude, he took Mrs. Wygant to England and together they spent the summer bicycling from Kendall to York. "It was," he says now, as memory recalls those idyllic months, "the happiest summer of our lives." They came home that fall to Los Angeles where they bought a lovely home high in the hills, shaded by giant trees. The days were restful — too restful; there was still too much energy surging through his sturdy body. "I've got to get busy," he told Mrs. W 7 ygant. Next day, he addressed a letter to the new mayor of Los Angeles saying in effect, "Look here, can't you find something for me to do?" The mayor, head of a reform administration, forthwith appointed him Fire Com- missioner and told him to straighten out the Fire Department. He was doing that when the rumbles of war came, when the old urge to go to sea and fight forced him to write Admiral Nimitz for a ship. He was still doing it when, denied a ship, he accepted a school — the U. S. Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School, Abbott Hall, Northwestern University, Chi- cago. How is greatness measured? By money earned? By rank achieved? By services rendered? No matter; in the book of Abbott Hall men, the Captain, our Captain, fills every di- mension of greatness. His courage, his integrity, his spirit looms large in twenty thousand lives. No man could give more to his country than that. 24 COMMANDER JERRY H. SERVICE, USNR The Executive Officer NO personality in Abbott Hall's five-year history has won the affec- tion and respect of students and staff so unanimously as has Commander Jerry H. Service, USNR, the school's Executive Officer since May, 1943. This quiet, unassuming, industrious gentleman has carried on his slender shoulders work sufficient to overcome anyone save a man of great capacity. Seemingly, his life fitted him perfectly for his important war role. A grad- uate of Rose Polytechnic Institute and Ohio State University, he has served on the faculties of Ohio State Uni- versity, Youngstown Institute of Tech- nology, Henderson State Teacher's College and the Michigan College of Mining and Technology. In 1917, he enrolled in the Army Signal Corps and became an instructor in aviation ground subjects. In 1919 he went to sea for a year on a nautical school ship. From 1923 to 1928, he served as an officer in the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, joining the Naval Reserve as a lieu- tenant in 1928. He holds a license as Chief Mate of Steam Vessels for any vessel and any ocean. In December, 1 940, Cmdr. Service reported to Abbott Hall as a Navigation instructor. He became Head of the Navigation De- partment in March, 1943, and two months later, Executive Officer. 25 ' I've got six-pence 26 FIVE BUSY YEARS Twenty Thousand Men by Lt (jg) David Donald Malcolm, USNR IONG after the sound of march- ing feet and the rythmic ca- dence of 'I've got sixpence" m have died away, leaving Chi- cago Avenue far behind, the record of twenty thousand midshipmen who have traded their anchors for an ensign's new gold stripes and service in the far corners of the world, will live as evidence that the job Abbott Hall was told to do has been well done. For these men, whose marching has shattered the monotony of the low rumble of traffic on the Outer Drive and whose sing- ing has drowned out the sharp clatter of street cars rushing toward the lake, have left Chicago to serve their Navy and their country in a fashion that has earned them every praise. There was little hint in August 1940 when Capt. B. B. Wygant, USN, (Ret.), was summoned from retire- ment to organize a midshipmen's school on Northwestern University's Chicago lake-front campus, that he was to build an institution of such im- pressive size and importance. But five years later, upon the eve of the graduation of the school's last class, late in July 1945, Abbott Hall had pro- duced more officers than had been graduated from the U. S. Naval Acad- emy in its entire one-hundred-year- long history. There was little hint to be found in the equipment and facilities that were available that these twenty thousand graduates would play a leading role in the greatest Navy the world has ever known. But graduates ot this school have held responsible positions in many departments on all our major fighting ships and have been placed in command of all types of vessels from destroyers down. Many have given their lives; many have won high decorations. All have demonstrated by their record that the training they received at Abbott Hall fully prepared them to do the job that had to be done. When the tiny staff of twenty-six officers and twelve enlisted men moved into four decks of Abbott Hall early in September to greet the 399 mem- bers of the 1st class, they were setting sail into hitherto uncharted seas. No equipment was available to supple- ment classroom instruction. The only comparable curriculum for their guid- ance was that used at the U. S. Naval 27 ^ - 1 1 fl I *% vWtoF Cmdr. Graeme Bannerman, the school's first Executive Officer, swears in mi dsh lpmen of the first class. Academy, a curriculum designed to do in four years what here must be done in three months. Capt. Wygant, with Cmdr. Graeme Bannerman, USN, his executive officer, and his staff were fully aware that theirs was a job that never had been done before. Undaunted, they set to work. The Navigation department borrowed a compass; the Ordnance department borrowed a pistol; Sea- manship was forced to construct equip- ment for itself. Humble though this beginning was, there was promise for great things in the enthusiasm with which the task was undertaken. When the 906 members of class 2 arrived in December, the size of the school was more than doubled, and four decks in Tower Hall were taken over. But even though the Naviga- tion, Supply and Disbursing depart- ments were soon moved to that build- ing, and a limited use of the facilities of the Illinois National Guard Armory begun, the school's most phenomenal expansion period did not come until after Pearl Harbor. Throughout 1941, despite the progress that was being made and despite the fact that already Abbott Hall men were taking their place in our growing Navy, outsiders still looked upon the school as a curi- osity and the local newspapers de- lighted in referring to it patronizingly as a "baby Annapolis" struggling to produce Naval officers a thousand miles from the sea. But during 1942, this puny infant reached full growth, and all patroniz- ing terms were quickly forgotten as the school came to be respected as a mighty institution in its own right. Stimulated bv the outbreak of war 28 Twenty Thousand Men during the four months from May to August, the school met the challenge by increasing its enrollment from 900 to well over 2,000 midshipmen. Four more decks of Abbott Hall were added, the entire facilities of the Armory and Tower Hall were taken over. Thus, ten months after Pearl Harbor, the expansion of the school was complete. To match this growth, the staff had recruited new instructors, many of them former Annapolis graduates who had resigned their commissions but now willingly volunteered their serv- ices once more. A few outstanding graduates were retained from each class, but these were normally replaced after a tenure of six months. Bv the time Cmdr. Bannerman was relieved as executive officer by Lt. Cmdr. H. P. Lowenstein, Jr., USNR, in January 1942, the school came to rely more and more heavily upon the ranks of its own graduates for enough instructors to meet the greatly increased needs. Many instructors were chosen from the two student officer classes trained here during that year of rapid expan- sion. (The total of twenty thousand graduates of this school, incidentally, does not include the almost 2000 mem- bers of these classes.) In addition, a group of about twenty officers who had completed a short indoctrination course at Columbia joined the staff — all of them experienced teachers commis- sioned expressly for that purpose. By the time Comdr. J. H. Service, USNR, relieved Comdr. Lowenstein, as executive officer in May 1943, the staff that had been built up at this station was unmatched elsewhere. Fol- lowing the example of the Command- ing Officer, each instructor prided him- self on behaving as an example to the midshipmen in appearance, military manner, and observance of courtesies and formalities. The qualities of lead- ership, loyalty, responsibility, and faith in the great traditions of the Navy that were demonstrated by these men became indelibly impressed on every graduate, and account to a large extent for the remarkable record that Abbott men have made. For under Capt. Wygant's leader- ship, despite the original lack of prece- dents to point the way, a school had been built up and a program developed that did the verv job it was supposed to do. The job was to transform civilians into Naval officers capable of fitting smoothly into whatever unit they might join, ready to perform whatever duties they might be as- signed, eager to assume the responsi- bilities of leadership that were neces- sary to make our Navy the mighty striking force it has become. How well Abbott Hall has fulfilled its pur- pose is seen in the reports of the many Commanding Officers who have wel- comed the arrival of Abbott trained men into their command. The citations and decorations that have been bestowed on dozens of grad- uates are ample evidence that this outstanding reputation has been justlv earned. One early graduate, Ensign Roy A. Xorelius, USNR, of Chicago, left Abbott Hall to join a destroyer. Two months before Pearl Harbor, he was cited by his commanding officer for his heroic conduct when his ship, the USS Kearny, was torpedoed in the North Atlantic. Another, Ensign I. D. Richardson, USNR, of Maywood, Cal- ifornia, was assigned to PT duty. It was his squadron that evacuated Gen- eral MacArthur and his staff" out of the 29 Five Busy Years Philippines; he, however, joined the Filipino guerrilla army on Leyte and was serving as its chief of staff two and one-half years later when Mac- Arthur returned. The Navy has produced no greater heroes than Abbott Hall's own length- ening list of honored dead, to whom this book is dedicated. Heading the roll is the name of Ensign Howard V. Wade, USNR, of Glen Ridge, N. Y., a member of the second class graduated from this school, who more than a month before Pearl Harbor gave his life when the destroyer USS Reuben James was torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic on 30 October 1941. Abbott Hall has no more cherished memories than the names of the nine- teen graduates who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, nor any greater pride than that already the Navy has named fighting ships for at least twelve of this number. But for a more detailed study of the school, one must look into the accom- plishments of the various departments. Each is deserving of an extended account of its own. ADMINISTRATIVE. DEPARTMENT Department Heads Lt Cmdr. J. E. Fleming, USNR 16 Sept. 1940 to 12 Dec. 1940. Lt Cmdr. K. D. McCracken, USNR 12 Dec. 1940 to 20 Feb. 1942. (Position dissolved and duties assumed by aide to Executive Officer). Lt Cmdr. C. F. Kottler, USNR 1 September 1942 to 2 June 1943 Lt Cmdr. H. S. Stone, Jr., USNR 2 June 1943 to 1 November 1943 Lt Cmdr. L. H. Nichols, USNR 1 Nov. 1943 to decommissioning. That many compliments and few criticisms have been earned by this school from neighboring native Chi- cagoans reflects clearly the good job that has been performed by the Ad- ministrative department. Despite the fact that large numbers of midshipmen received their first mil- itary training of any sort after their arrival at this station, the military precision of their marching and their execution of complicated infantry drill maneuvers has consistently won ac- claim. So too has the effiicent manner Top men in the school's early his- tory. L. to R.: Cdr. Morse, Lt. Cdr, Fleming, Lt. Cdr. J. D. Shaw, Cdr. Ban- nerman, Lt. Cdr. Williams. On 12 Feb. 1943, only these five officers remained at Abbott Hall from the orig- inal staff of 26. In addition to Captain Wygant, they are, left to right: Cdr. Kottler, Cdr. Coffin, Cdr. Lever and Lt. Cdr. Bartush. am I r^ W ""#' « ' ■ W W #^* J% in which large numbers of sections have moved from building to building each hour with a minimum of confu- sion and disorder. The polish and finish so apparent in these movements did not come by chance. Long hours of patient instruc- tion in infantry drill and careful plan- ning lie behind this appearance of ap- parently effortless precision. The re- sults merit the official "well done" that so often has been bestowed. When class 1 entered Abbott Hall, the number of men enrolled was small enough to be easily included in one battalion. Class 2 was larger, necessi- tating the establishment of two bat- talions, the 1st including approximately 400 men quartered in Abbott Hall and the 2nd the same number in Tower. At the time of further expansion dur- ing the summer of 1942, a 3rd battalion was added, and when classes 8, 9, and 10 were all in school together, the num- ber was increased to lour. Class 8 made up the 1st battalion, class 9 the 2nd, and class 10 the 3rd and 4th. From class 10 until class 16, the four battalion svstem remained in effect — the 1st and 2nd making up the odd- numbered classes and the 3rd and 4th the even. When class 17 was reduced in size and housed entirely in x^bbott Hall, this number was reduced to three. From then until the closing of the school, the odd-numbered classes constituted the 1st battalion, and the larger, even-numbered classes in Tower Hall made up the 2nd and 3rd. Each battalion was headed by a battalion commander who in turn was aided in handling routine problems by one or more assistant battalion com- manders. One officer was assigned permanent charge of each company. When the indoctrination month was added to the program with the arrival of class 11, two more officers were assigned to each company as platoon officers for that period. Under the supervision of the Admin- istrative department have been placed various other activities, including the athletic office, the First Lieutenant's office, the recreation office, and the transportation office. Three other offices closely associated with the Administrative department, 31 THE LAST FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION On 6 June 1945, two hundred and thirty-nine Abbott Hall graduates were known to have died in action. There are probably many more that inco?nplete reports and records have failed to provide. But, here are the names of these brave tnan — names that will live in ever honored memory so long as our nation endures. AACHTE, Henry Gerhard ACREE, John White ADAMS, Glenn Basil AMICK, Eugene Earle, Jr. ANDERSON, Alfred William ANDERSON, Lawrence Donald ANDRES, Eric Theodore ARTHUR, George Edward ATHERTON, John McDougal BACHRACH, Alan BALDWIN, Rex Virgil BANE, William Kenneth BANTA, John William BATCHELDER, Clayton Everett BATTLES, John Leo BEHRENS, Wendell Edward . BELL, Thomas Overton BENDYK, John Francis BENEKE, James Robert BERKELEY, Robert Brooks, Jr. BIERKAMP, Frederick John BJERTNESS, Sigurd M. BLACKMAN, Thomas Lewis BLEWETT, Pierre Joseph BRIDWELL, Max Lester BRINES, Earl Edward BRYANT, Haywood Norman BROOKS, Gordon Jacob BURR, William Alfred * * * CAKE, Henry Epes CALNAN, David Ignatius CAMPBELL, William F. CANFIELD, Robert Blaine CANTER. Lloyd xMayer CANTRELL, William H. CAROCARI, Alvin Joseph CARTER, Joe Raymond COLLINS, Densmore Berry COLMERY, Charles Albert, Jr. CLARK, Robert Stuart CLAYBAUGH, Harry \\\, Jr. CONN, John COOK, Frank Elliott COOK, Sidney S. CRAWFORD, Dudley Warner. Jr. CROW, Howard Daniel CUTHBERTSON, William Hugh, Jr. * * * DARGAN, William Timothy DARLING, Leon Ellsworth DAVIS, Delbert L. DENNEY, John, Jr. DECKER, Ernest Eldon DEVERS, Arthur Harry. Jr. DE REAMER, Robert William DORRIS, Donald Hugh DOYLE, James Quincy DRABINOWICZ, Francis Peter DUCKWORTH, John Clyde, Jr * * * EBERLEIN, Duane George EDWARDS, Bruce Baxter ELLIOTT, Frederick John ELLIS, John Junior ENRIGHT, Robert Paul Francis EVARTS, Milo Burnell * * * FAIR, Victor Norman, Jr. FAWKS, Arnold Gray FELTON, Charles Harold FERGUSON, William Joseph FERRY, Charles Lucius, Jr. FETCHER, William Monroe FELIX, Alexander William FLAHERTY, Francie Charles FOSS, Rodney Shelton FROST, Charles Owen FULLENLOVE, John Junius * * * GALVIN. Thomas Joseph GARFINKLE, Max GILBERT, George Hellworth GILBERT, Joseph Edgar OILLENWATER, John Chad GILLETTE, Douglas Wiley OILLILAND, Travis William GINTY, James B. G LASER, Harold Jacob GOHEEN, John Richard GOHMANN, James Louis GOODMAN, Paul Fisher GOSSELIN, Edward Webb GRIEBEL, Russell Joseph GREENWOOD, Frank HAHN, James Louis HAIG, Edward Nerso HAGAN, Louis Patrick HALL, David Connolly, Jr. HALLORAN, William Ignatius HAMPTON, Edwin Wombwell HARDWICK, Gordon A., Jr. HARNISH, Paul Robert HARRIS, Albert Thomas HARRIS, Thomas Franklin HARRISON, Thomas Eugene HARTNETT, Francis Reed HAUGHIAN, Michael Anthony HAYWOOD, Alfred Williams, Jr. HAVERFIELD, James Wallace HEEKIN, Robert Emmet, Jr. HERBERMANN, Charles G. HILL. Robert Lucius HIX, Sidney Dayton HOLLOWELL, Christopher W III HOLTON, Lloyd Sumner HORLICK, John Haynes HORNBROOK, Philip Roberts, Jr. HOWARD, Jefferson HUGENBERG, John Frederick HUISH, Daryl G. HUNT, Clifford Victor, Jr. HUNTER, Robert Melvin HUSSEY, Munroe Hitchcock * * * IRELAND, Charles Byron, Jr. JACQUE, Alonzo Paul JACKSON, David Wayne JANSSEN, Ralph Wille MARTIN. William H. RAPP, Gilbert A. JEFFERY, Ira Weil MASTERS, Harold Dean REINHARD, Vinson E. JOHNSON, Robert Gustav Oskar McCLELLAND, Vincent ROCKTASCHEL, Robert Miles JOHNSON, Glenn William McCLUNG, Harvey Manford RUCHAMKIN, Seymour David JONES, Alfred Alexander McGREEVY, Edward Leo RUNDLE, John Nabers JONES, John V. McMILLAX. Donald Fairman RYAN, Donald Jerome JONES, Kenneth Forthenbaker MEAD, Robert K. (Mid'n) * * * JOHNS, Paul Howard MEYER, George Von Lengerke, Jr. SANTEE, Richard C. * * * MORRIS, Ashley David SCHULTHEIS, James Otto KASHMER, Paul Joseph MOSES, Frederick Nye, Jr. SCHWEITZER, John Roten KELLY, Thomas A. MUNDY, Emmel Winslow SHIPLEY, Raymond Whitson KEMPLEY, William Holeomb MURRAY, Howell Sherer SHRIBMAN, Philip Alvan KERN, Luther Charles * * * SEAWELL, Edward Harding KERNDT, Gustave Frederick NASON, Burton Chester PLATER, Walter Leslie KING, Robert Nicholas, Jr. NEELY, Edwin Stuart SMITH, Leo Cyril KLORES, Stanley NELSON, Leo 0. SMITH, Heidle, James KLUBER. Charles Warren NICHOLS, Charles Benjamin. Jr. SMITH, Norman Keene KOHN, Edward Irving * * * STEVENS, William Mason KREMER, Charles F., Jr. OBERLIN, North Arthur STOCKDALE, Lewis Stephens KRETCHMER. Raymond Joseph O'CONNOR. Edward Harley SWETT, Benjamin Scriven, Jr. KYLE. Winfield, Nelms, Jr. OLSEN, Edward Kern * * * * * :•; O'NEILL, William Thomas TAYLOR, Howard Wendall LACHMUND, Edwin ORR, Vernon James TURNER, Stanley King. Jr. LANDERS, Edward Everett O'TOOLE, John Albert THOMPSOX, Edward C. LAUGHON, Samuel Walter OWEN. Thomas M. * * * LE CLERCZ, John Schumann. Ill * * * UHLMAXX, Robert William LE TULLE, Lawrence Everett PAINE, Leonard Frederick * * * LEOPOLD, Robert Lawrence PARKINSON, Thomas Kenton VAXDERHOOF. Allan Lynne LIGON, William Robert PARRISH, Frank Raymond VANCE, William Gardner LLOYD. William Rees PATTERSON, George Bradford VETTER, Alvin Edward LONGENECKER, John K., Jr. PINZ, Robert Julian VICK. Ralph Herbert LORD, Robert Henry PEARSON, Howard Frederick * * % * LORD, Henry Shippen, Jr. PENLAND, George Harvey, Jr. WADE. Howard V. LOVE, Gordon Andrew PETERSON, Oscar Joel WILLIAMS, Thomas Howard, Jr. LOYE, Van Garrard. Jr. PIERCE. Walter Edward WILLIAMS, Warren, Jr. LL'SK, Robert Jerome PITNEY, John William WILSON, Henry Merryman LYONS, Frank J. PLUMB, Ralph Peter WOLFF, Justin Louis * * * POLLAY, Harvey Claude, Jr. WOODMORE, George Rexford MADDUX, Francis Taylor PRATHER, James William. Jr. WYATT, Clifton Fontaine. Jr. MAIN, Malcolm Gardner PRUETT, Samuel Robert WYMAX, Eldon Paul MAJOR, Charles X. * * * * * * MALFEO, Marvin Antonio QUARLES, Jones Harper YARBROUGH, Byron C. MANSFIELD, Hugh Edward * * * * * * MARSHALL, Edward RAFTIS, Daniel James, Jr. ZIMMER, Harold Lewis Five Busv Years The Captain and Coffin Together KENNETH D. COFFIN Commander, USNR Director of Training and Personnel Officer A LL GRADUATES of Abbott Hall will re- ■**call Commander Kenneth D. Coffin. He alone, of all the present staff, has served side by side with the Captain since the school's organization in August, 1940. His kindliness to midshipmen and staff will be long remem- bered. Commissioned a Naval Reserve ensign at the conclusion of World War I, Cmdr. Coffin returned to civilian life and his peace- time profession of architecture. Eventually he turned to teaching at the Arsenal Technical Schools at Indianapolis. Active in the Naval Reserve since 1922, he was ordered to report to Northwestern University to aid in establish- ing a midshipmen's school. His first assign- ment was as a Navigation instructor. Later he served as head of the Navigation depart- ment, becoming, in 1944, Director of Training and Personnel Officer for the school. but not actually included in it, were the Interviewing office, the Planning office, and the Chaplain's office. The first two of these actually functioned under the supervision of the Director of Training, while the latter was re- sponsible to the Executive Officer. Ships Company Even at a station devoted exclu- sively to officer training, like Abbott Hall, a major part of the success of the program has depended on the contribution of the enlisted personnel who make up the ship's company. Throughout the school, the handling of records and correspondence has been the job of the many yeomen assigned to this station. The Medical and Sup- ply departments, especially depended heavily on their services. Ordnance owes to them the installation and maintenance of all the modern drill equipment which is so important to their course. Seamanship is indebted to them for construction and mainten- ance of most of its drill equipment, for caring for equipment at Diversey Harbor, and for furnishing crews for the YP program. They have worked in the post office, driven the Navy vehicles, manned the movie equip- ment, and taken care of countless other jobs throughout the school. The original complement at the beginning of the school was but 12 men, but this increased to a maximum of 174 (including Waves) when the school reached full size. A large num- ber of them were quartered in the Armory. They have done no small part in making possible the entire pro- gram of the school. 34 Twenty Thousand Men Waves In the last years of the school, a large part of the duties formerly per- formed by the enlisted men were taken over by the Waves. First to report aboard was Lt. L. F. Kirk, (W)- USNR, who arrived in December 1942. The first enlisted Waves were placed under her supervision upon reporting the following February. By February 1945, the complement had been in- creased to 52 enlisted personnel and five commissioned officers. The major- ity of these were attached to the Med- ical and Supply departments, or as Yeomen throughout the school. An officer was assigned to office duties in each of the academic departments. Here, as elsewhere, the Waves so quickly and efficiently were absorbed into the general organization, that it is only with difficulty that it can be remembered that the Navy once struggled along without them. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT Department Heads Lt Comdr. A. Holm, (MC)-USNR 8 Jan. 1941 to 21 Jan. 1942. Lt Cmdr. T. E. Hoffman, (MQ- USNR 21 Jan. 1942 to 27 May 1944. Lt Cmdr. J. F. Wanless, (MC)-USNR 27 Mav 1944 to 8 November 1944 Lt Cmdr. G. C. Fischer, (MC)-USNR 8 Nov. 1944 to decommissioning. Although at the very beginning of the school, the only medical services available were those supplied by civ- ilian contract doctors from Northwest- ern University, a program of visits by doctors from Great Lakes Naval Train- ing Station as often as three times a week was soon established. Early in January 1941, the first full time med- ical officer reported aboard. As the school grew, the department was in- creased to three doctors. Hospitalization facilities were avail- able at both Passavant and Wesley Hospitals in the school area, and at the U. S. Naval Hospital at Great Lakes. How busy this department be- came is shown by the fact that in the six month period between 1 November 1944 and 1 June 1945, 15,418 visits were made to sick bay and 784 mid- shipmen were hospitalized. The de- partment also assumed the responsi- bility of giving a final comprehensive physical examination to every mid- shipman approximately sixty days prior to commissioning. The thor- oughness of this examination may be indicated by the fact that of the 68 disqualifications found during the six months period mentioned above, 85% were based on minor defects and were waived by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. DENTAL DEPARTMENT Department Heads Cmdr. P. H. Weils, (DC)-USNR 21 May 1942 to 3 November 1943 Lt Cmdr. F. A. Bull, (DC)-USNR 3 Nov. 1943 to decommissioning. The first dental service available for men at this school was supplied by contract with civilian dentists from Northwestern University. Even after the first full-time dentist was assigned to this station, space was still used in Ward Hall and Northwestern provided many of the necessary facilities. Early in 1943, however, the staff was ex- 35 Five Busy Years panded and a new dental office, fully equipped and manned by Navy per- sonnel, was established on the second deck in the west end of the Armory. At its maximum, the department consisted of six dental officers. Since the new office provided only three chairs, these officers worked in shifts, with the late duty lasting until 2100 in the evening. Every midshipman who went through this school was given a complete dental examination upon arrival and all necessary work was completed before his graduation. SUPPLY DEPARTMENT Department Heads Lt Cmdr. C. M. Bartusch, (SC)-USNR 26 Aug. 1940 to 29 Nov. 1943 Lt Cmdr. G. N. Quigley, Jr., (SC)- USNR 29 Nov. 1943 to 15 Dec. 1944 Lieut. H. H. McAllister, Jr., (SC)- USNR 15 Dec. 1944 to decommissioning. The amount of direct cash disburse- ments and the vast voiume of supplies handled at a station this size is rarely realized by anyone not directly con- nected with the work. From the time this school reached its full size on, monthly cash disbursements averaged over half a million dollars. The first partial shipment of obsolete books, made in preparation for decommission- ing, totalled more than twenty-tons. Disbursing included over one hun- dred thousand dollars a month for housing and maintenance of midship- men alone. Over 3300 pay accounts were handled including the normal complement of about 2100 midship- men, 500 officers and ship's company, and 700 V-12 students. In addition to this, each midshipman's pay group changed at least twice while he was on this station, necessitating closing of old accounts and opening the new ones. The department also handled uniform gratuities, new allottments, transportation requests, gas rationing certificates, travel claims, and paid all bills for the school. At an accounting in February 1945, the total original cost value of Navy- owned property on this station, ex- clusive of the YP's, was set at approx- imately one and one-half million dol- lars. Midshipmen were issued 23 dif- ferent items of clothing (several each of some of these) and 14 different books. The department was respon- sible for maintenance of these, super- vision of the small stores with its monthly volume of five to ten thou- sand dollars, all shipping and receiv- ing, the moving of household effects, all property accounting, ration point banking for the contract messes, and all priorities needed by the station. ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT Department Heads Lt Cmdr. J. D. Shaw, USN 16 Sept. 1940 to 20 Feb. 1942 Lt Cmdr. K. D. McCracken, USNR 20 February 1942 to 5 July 1942 Cmdr. L. C. Leever, ISNR 5 July 1942 to 31 March 1943 Lt Cmdr. E. Lewis, USNR 31 March to decommissioning. There is an old saving in the Navy that every combat vessel must, in the last analysis, be considered a floating gun platform, and that all other con- siderations must be subordinated to one to score the maximum numbei 36 Twenty Thousand Men of hits per gun per minute. All other skills are useful only as they may be coordinated to promote this purpose. From this point of view, no training the reserve officer graduates of this school receive is of more vital import- ance than that taught by the depart- ment of Ordnance and Gunnery. Despite the Navy-wide acceptance of this fact, no other department was offered so little equipment or such sorely outdated text books at the time the school was established. The story of the Ordnance department is the story of the struggle to obtain modern equipment, to modernize the textual materials, and to keep pace with mod- ern developments. Though the prob- lem was common to all midshipmen's schools, the staff of the Ordnance de- partment led the way. The two basic texts available at the start were the familiar Red Ordnance book and the blue covered Fire Control Notes, both sadly obsolete. From the beginning, the department sought to supplement these texts with mimeographed pamphlets written by members of the staff. The recent de- velopments and neglected subjects thus covered included torpedoes, depth charges and mines, the 20 MM and 40 MM guns, the 5-38' caliber gun, the Mark 14 sight, and the essentials of the anti-aircraft fire control prob- lem. By the end of 1942, these pam- phlets accounted for virtually half of the course, with material studied from the texts being supplemented by in- structor's lectures in class. At this point, it became increasingly clear that the limit to the amount of improvement that could be made in the course by these methods would soon be reached and that a new and comprehensive basic text was neces- sary. In response to repeated requests from this station, a committee was called to Washington from this and other midshipmen's schools to prepare an up-to-date Ordnance and Gunnery Text book which would include fire control methods. Representing this department was Lt Cmdr. E. L. Brashears, USNR, who to a great ex- tent was the moving spirit behind the whole enterprise, and Lt. F. L. Seyl, USNR, who is credited with doing a major portion of the actual writing, rewriting, and illustrating. The resultant publication, "Naval Ordnance and Gunnery", exceeded even the fondest hopes of its most ardent proponents. Upon its appear- ance in June 1944, it was immediately established as the standard text at all midshipmen's schools, NROTC units, and the U. S. Naval Academy, and subsequently was issued as a reference book to countless other training sta- tions, advanced bases, and vessels afloat. The chief advantage of the new book was that it contained under one cover an up-to-date treatment of modern methods and materials. Meanwhile, the problem of obtain- ing much needed drill equipment was being solved with equal success. The original equipment — the borrowed .45 pistol — was soon supplemented by the arrival of more small arms, both the Baby Ford and Mark 7 rangekeepers, and 4" loading machines. Early in 1942 more equipment arrived, includ- ing two 4"-50 broadside guns. Sub- sequently a machine gun battery of 20 MM and 40 MM guns was added and various fire control items, such as plotting and tracking boards, range- finders, Vickers and G. E. directors 37 '•* 1 "■ | 1 The first Abbott classes cruised the Carribbean for one month before reporting to Abbott Hall. Figure on right is Lt. Ben Owen, who, after months of sea duty, returned to x^bbott Hall as a Seamanship instructor. Third man from left in front row is E. Olson, one of Abbott's 19 casualties at Pearl Harbor. were incorporated into the drills. As the months wore on, more equip- ment continued to arrive. Included were 5"-38 single and twin loading machines, 3"-50 dual purpose guns and loaders, Mark 14 sights and a Mark 51 director, a Mark 27 torpedo director and dummy tube, and finally a complete destroyer fire control in- stallation of Mark 37 director, Mark 6 stable element, Mark 1 computer, fire control switchboard, and a single mount 5"-38 gun with G. E. power drive. Actually, it was at Abbott Hall's insistence that the complete de- stroyer installation was placed in mid- shipmen's schools. One final feature of the drill pro- gram, and a most important one, has been the scheduling of midshipman cruises aboard the l.S.S. Wilmette. Beginning with class 15 in August 1943, cruises of from one to three days have provided an opportunity for the midshipmen themselves to act- ually fire both broadside and machine guns. Winter classes have received much the same training through the use of the anti-aircraft range at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Meanwhile, modernization of the material had introduced a new class problem. As the subject matter was brought up to date, it became more complicated, and the need tor in- creased use of visual aids was quickly recognized. During the last year of the school's existence, projection ap- paratus was installed in every class room, and strip films were made up by members of the department cover- ing many of the more intricate por- 38 Twenty Thousand Men tions of the course and permitting projection of most of the illustrations and diagrams presented in the basic text. In some cases, the strip films were accompanied by recordings; in others, the instructors read the script. Here again the department has made a basic contribution to the teaching of Ordnance throughout the Navy. Department members assigned to the task combed large numbers of avail- able training films, selected suitable frames, added others from various sources, revised the order, introduced better continuity and wrote new scripts. Seventeen of these strip films will be used by the Navy in NROTC and other training programs. They include 5 on the 5"-38 gun, 5 on the Mark 37 director, 3 on the anti-air- craft problem, and 4 on various basic fire control mechanisms. The department has also assumed the job of training midshipmen in rec- ognition. Starting during the summer of 1943, the aspect of the course at first consisted of about 6 hours but by class 23 was increased to more than 15. The course was directed to the Pacific war area alone and included more than 50 planes and ships. Over 100 instructors from the Ordnance and Navigation departments were trained to teach this course. A night vision room was constructed with an arc shaped stage and facilities for sim- ulating moon light, fires at sea, and lightning. A moving belt propelled ship models through a 90 degree arc, and look-out drills were conducted under various conditions with mid- shipmen equipped with sound phones serving as look-outs and making reg- ular reports. In addition, the night vision test on the radium plaque adapt- ometer given under the direction of the medical department. Thus, more than any other depart- ment, the Ordnance department of Abbott Hall has left its mark on future training program of the Navy. In the classroom, there is the new text book; in the drill program, the com- plete destroyer installation; and in the field of visual aids, the 17 strip films developed here. The contributions rep- resent the efforts of many members of the staff, and too much praise cannot be offered them. SEAMANSHIP AND DAMAGE CONTROL Department Heads Cmdr. R. S. Morse, USN. 16 September 1940 to 1 April 1941 Lt Cmdr. J. D. Shaw, USN. 1 April 1941 to 1 June 1941 Lt Cmdr. H. P. Lowenstein, Jr., USNR. 1 June 1941 to 8 January 1942 Lt Cmdr. A. T. Pamperin, USNR. 8 Jan. 1941 to 11 Jan. 1942 Lt Cmdr. F. R. Dunbar, USNR. 1 Jan. 1942 to 29 Dec. 1942 Lt Cmdr. E. Lewis, USNR. 29 Dec. 1942 to 31 March 1943 Cmdr. R. M. Parkinson, USNR. 31 March 1943 to Feb. 1945 Cmdr. W. Burry, Jr., USNR. Feb. 1945 to decommissioning. The simplest way to describe the Seamanship course as taught at Abbott Hall is to say that it includes every- thing in the prescribed course of study for midshipmen except those topics that fall specifically under the two limited and specialized fields covered by the other departments. How many and how diversified the 39 Five Busy Years topics facing Seamanship instructors were may best be shown by a quick survey of the development of the course from 1942 to its present form. At the end of 1942, the following nine topics were already included: basic communi- cations; deck seamanship; Naval law; Naval leadership; nomenclature; or- ganization of the Navy department; Rules of the Road; ship's organization; and types of combat ships. During 1943, communications was increased to ten hours of class room instruction. Three new subjects were included with the introduction of Dam- age Control and its subsequent expan- tion to a total of twenty-two hours by the addition of ship construction and four hours of engineering. Study of the Combat Information Center and of fire fighting were added early in 1944. In June of that year, coincident with the appearance of a new and comprehensive text, came the addition of ship supply, ship's records, and weather and storms. By September, both amphibious warfare and chemical warfare had been added, bringing the total almost to twenty subjects. Most important of these, of course, was Damage Control. At first, this subject was taught from mimeo- graphed materials prepared, for the most part, by Lt. Cmdr. J. M. Boswell, USNR, who also is credited with train- ing many of the instructors in this subject. These pamphlets were re- placed in February 1944 by the receipt of a standard text entitled "Engineer- ing and Damage Control". In its final form, Damage Control included ship construction, basic engineering, steam engines, turbines, diesel engines, aux- iliary machinery, ship stability, etc. In order to cover even the subjects included in the first days of the course, the department issued to every mid- shipman an impressive array of text- books including Knight's "Modern Seamanship", "The Watch Officer's Guide", "Naval Administration", and "The Bluejacket's Manual." As new topics were added, additional mimeo- graphed pamphlets were prepared by members of the department to pro- vide for subjects not covered by any of the texts, or to supplant the text where it was outdated. This stack of mimeographed material grew until here, and at other midshipmen's schools, as well, the inconvenience and disadvantages of having the course of study so scattered was keenly felt. Consequently, during the latter part of 1943, a committee from the Sea- manship departments of all the schools was summoned to Washington to draw up a new comprehensive text which would both include all the material under one cover and incorporate the latest information and practices. Sup- ervising the preparation of this new manual was Cmdr. R. M. Parkinson, USNR, then head of the department at this school. Lt Cmdr. R. W. Clark, Jr., USNR, represented this school in the general writing and editing. The finished product, entitled "Seaman- ship", was ready for use in June 1944, and proved a great aid in solving this part of the department's problem. Though Abbott Hall may take pride in the successful manner in which the Seamanship department managed to take over and assimulate so many different topics into one cohesive course of study, this must be secondary to the pride taken in the drill program developed here. Virtually negligible at first, indoor drills became practical 40 ABBOT BALL'S DEPARTMENT HEADS I CMDR. ERICSON LEWIS, USNR Head of Ordnance Dept. . . . Annapolis, 1919 . . . served aboard DD's with Atlantic Fleet . . . Resigned from Navy in 1924 to enter business in St. Louis . . . Returned to service upon approach of war in 1940 . . . Assigned to Abbott Hall, serving at one time or other in all departments of the school. CMDR. WILLIAM BURRY, JR., USNR Head of Seamanship and Damage Control Dept. . . . Harvard graduate . . won wings as naval aviator in World War I . . . After war, be- came lawyer, practicing in Chicago Ordered to Abbott Hall as Navigation instruc- tor . . . Became department head in Februarv 1945. LT. CMDR. EDWIN L. GILROY, USNR Head of Navigation Dept. . . . Lake Forest College graduate . . . Commissioned ensign in Naval Reserve in 1918 . . . Served aboard Atlantic transport In 1919, entered secur- ities business in Chicago ... In 1942, returned to service and ordered to Abbott Hall as Navigation instructor, becoming head in 1944. LT. CMDR. LEVERETT NICHOLS, USNR Head of Administrative Dept. . . . Native of New Hampshire . . . Annapolis graduate, class of 1922 . . . Resigned upon graduation to enter business as executive of brush manu- facturing concern . . . Returned to service in 1942 as Ordnance instructor . . . Became Department head in 1943. GEORGE C. FISCHER LT. CMDR. (MC) USNR Head of Medical Department . . . Univ. of Nebraska grad- uate . . . Ear, Nose and Throat specialist . . . Entered Navy in 1942 . . . stationed at Norfolk ... 18 months in French Morroco . . . Came to Abbott Hall in Nov. 1944. FRANCIS A. BULL LT. CMDR. (DC) USNR Head of Dental Department . . . In 1915, enlisted in British Navy ... In 1917, switched to US Army . . . Studied dentistry at Marquette Uni- versity . . . Entered Navy in 1943, coming to Abbott in October of that year. h. h. McAllister, jr. lieutenant (sc) usnr Head of Supply and Disburs- ing . . . "Pay" graduated from Iowa in 1940 . . . Ac- countant for Central Life Insurance Co. Entered Navy in 1942 . . . Service at Guan- tanamo Bav, Cuba . . . Came to Abbott Hall in 1944. when the school contracted for the use of the Armory, providing space and facilities not equalled at any other school. Credit for the success of the drills belongs to many members of the de- partment for their work in planning and organizing and improving the program. Special mention, however, must be made of Lt. R. W. Lowe, USNR, who originated many of them and was assigned full time to their supervision. The drill program consisted of some fifteen practical drills which paralleled classroom instruction and the numer- ous training films used in the course. Included were flag hoist drills using both the Auxiliary Signal Book,Mer- Sigs, and WIMS, the rigging loft, the mooring model, lead line, heaving line, life boat, mooring lines and docking, bridge procedure, coding board, am- phibious operations, damage control, and stability model, flashing light and semaphore procedure, chemical war- fare, and marlinspike seamanship. Typical of the excellent material con- structed for each was the model bridge located in the northwest bleachers of the arena, complete with helm, bin- nacle, pelorus, flag hoists, etc. Damage Control drills include the use of sound-power phones, the study of ventilation, fire main and flooding diagrams, and the use of curves of form, in addition to the stability model mentioned above. Since the fall of 1944, every midshipman has been sent for a full day's training at the Fire Fighters' School at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Another important innovation in the expansion of both the drill and class- room programs has been the increased use of films. By means ot such films, more realistic instruction is given in such subjects as Rules of the Road, damage control, fire fighting, amphib- ious operations, weather, ship hand- ling, rescue breathing apparatus, etc. Lastlv, and in some wavs most im- 42 Twenty Thousand Men portant of all, has been the develop- ment by this department of an exten- sive program of training afloat on nearby Lake Michigan. Earliest ac- tivity of this sort was the pulling boat program begun in the summer of 1941 in the Burnham Park Harbor and later shifted to Sea Scout base at Diversey Harbor. There, using cut- ters generously loaned by the Sea Scouts, midshipmen learned how to pull an oar, the commands to the oarsmen, and the art of boat handling. The second phase of the training afloat program was the yachting pro- gram, instituted in the spring of 1942. Through the efforts of Commodore Sheldon Clark, president of the Navy League of the United States, the privately owned boats of many Chi- cago yachtsmen were made available for midshipmen instruction. From 1942 to 1944, a total of 36,781 man hours of instruction were given aboard these vessels, and 164 days of such drills were conducted. The yachting program was event- uallv replaced b\ the most extensive program of all, the YP program. In the fall of 1943, four small patrol vessels, the YP's 21, 22, 60, and 67 were transferred from the U. S. Naval Academy to this school. The follow- ing August, four more {23, 54, 57, and In rain and snow, sunshine and hail, midshipmen life goes on. Five Busy Years 59) were added to the flotilla. Two Seamanship instructors and one Navi- gation instructor were assigned full time to each vessel. Midshipmen were taken aboard for a full day's cruise three or four times during their course. Seamanship instruction included practical drills in man overboard, fire fighting, steering casualty, tactical maneuvering, ship handling, docking, anchoring, signalling procedure and many other subjects. Each man was rotated through the duties of officer of the deck, quartermaster, signalman, steersman, lookout, engine room watch, boatswain's mate, and other posts. All eight YP's were used during the summer season of 1944, but early in 1945, when the school's enrollment was cut sharply preparatory to closing, four were transferred to Notre Dame. The fourth phase of the program afloat sponsored by the department was the cruise aboard the U.S.S. Wil- mette. While the three day Wilmette cruises were primarily intended for the Ordnance department training pro- gram, the Seamanship department sup- plied two or three officers to conduct seamanship drills. First begun in the fall of 1943, this program was con- tinued during the summer seasons to the end of the school. Thus did the Seamanship depart- ment, though no larger than either of the other two departments and allotted no more than an equal share of the midshipmen's time, contribute far more than their one-third to the train- ing each midshipman received while at this school. This it accomplished by willingly incorporating many dif- ferent subjects into one course of studv, by developing a drill program He Helped to Make Abbott History CARL F. KOTTLER COMMANDER, USNR {COMMANDER KOTTLER is another of the ^original band of twenty-six officers who or- ganized this school. Active in the Organized Reserve from 1918 until his return to active duty, he was Commanding Officer of the 33rd Division of the U. S. Naval Reserve in Wiscon- sin. In civilian life, he is Chief of the Award and Contract Section, State Procurement Office, Treasury Department, Madison, Wisconsin. On August 26, 1940, he was ordered to active duty at Abbott Hall and was assigned to the Naviga- tion department. Later, he became the Aide to the Executive Officer and head of the Ad- ministrative Department. In April, 1944 to the regret of all hands, he was detached from this station and ordered to Navy Pier in Chicago as Executive Officer. 44 Twenty Thousand Men of its own, and by fully utilizing all available opportunities for training. NAVIGATION DEPT. Department Heads Lt Cmdr. C. S. Williams, USNR. 16 Sept. 1940 to 1 Dec. 1941 Lt Cmdr. E. P. Wilson, USNR. 1 Dec. 1941 to 13 Jan. 1943 Cmdr. K. D. Coffin, USNR. 13 January 1943 to 12 March 1943 Cmdr. J. H. Service, USNR. 12 March 1943 to 30 May 1943 Cmdr. K. D. Coffin, USNR. 30 May 1943 to 7 June 1944 Lt Cmdr. E. L. Gilroy, USxNR. 7 June to decommissioning. There is a salty tang to the word Seamanship with its ropes and riggin' and a language all its own; there is a solid respect for Ordnance and Gun- nery and their great place in American traditions on land and sea. But to the civilian mind, neither of these terms can evoke the sense of magic and mystery and adventure, the picture of the lone bark sailing the solitary seas guided by the stars alone, that sur- rounds the subject of Navigation. Especially in the days prior to V-12 and pre-midshipman schools, when so large a majority of our trainees re- ported direct from civilian life, Navi- gation always seemed to be the subject most feared at the time of reporting lor midshipman training. Augmenting this was the notion that Navigation required great skill in various phases of advanced mathematics — and the conviction held by so many that "they just didn't have a mathematical mind." How this mixture of awe and fear were dispelled until the majority of each class left after graduation feeling that Navigation was their favorite subject* is the story of the Navigation depart- ment of Abbott Hall, and its role in the training of our great civilian Navy. From mid-September 1940 when the tiny staff of six Navigation instructors moved into room 3P in Abbott Hall (a room which they shared, incidently, with both the other academic depart- ments) to teach class 1 until the end of July 1945 and the graduation of class 25, the course has undergone ceaseless revision, reorganization, and improvement. The many changes, large and small, represent the criti- cisms, comments, and suggestions, not of a few but of all the instructors who have ever been members of the staff, a staff which at its maximum late in 1944 numbered more than 70 men. The course as it was presented to the first class was based on an outline submitted by the U. S. Naval Acad- emy which stressed great circle and mid-latitude sailings, learning obscure astronomical definitions, and solving such problems as "Compute the dis- tance to the Moon when its horizontal parallax is 58 '4'." (Lesson 16, class 1). It featured the cosine-haversine form- ulas and the use of Red Azimuth tables, with H. 0.2 14 added late in the course, almost as an after-thought. Perhaps the worst feature was the ill- planned sequence in which the lessons were presented. For example, although the consine-haversine formula was pre- sented in Lesson 24, the complete solution of a sight was delayed more than two weeks until Lesson 36. As a result, the course was com- *Editor's Note: It should be pointed out that the author of this article is a member of the Naviga- tion department. 45 Five Busy Years Graduation Speakers Class Speaker 1 Rear Admiral Chester W. Ximitz, USX 2 Rear Admiral John Downes, USX 3 Rear Admiral John Downes, USX 4 Captain Arthur S. Carpender, USX 5 Rear Admiral John Downes, USX 6 Honorable Ralph A. Bard, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Class "A" Rear Admiral John Downes, USX 7 Captain Edwin A. Wolleson, USX (Ret) Class "B' Rear Admiral John Downes, USX 8 Captain Edwin A. Wolleson, USX (Ret) 9 Captain Emanuel A. Lofquist, USX 10 Dr. Franklyn B. Snyder, President of Northwestern University 11 Captain Robert R. M. Emmet, USX 12 Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, USX 13 Rear Admiral Henry G. Taylor (CEC), USX 14 Rear Admiral Alexander M. Charlton, USX 15 Rear Admiral John Downes, USX 16 Captain Josephus A. Briggs, USX 17 Rear Admiral Arthur S. Carpender, USX 18 Rear Admiral Henry S. Kendall, USX 19 Captain John K. Richards, USX (Ret) 20 Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs, USX 21 Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs, USX t 22 Honorable Ralph A. Bard Under Secretary of the Navy 23 Rear Admiral Osborne B. Hardison, USX 24 Dr. Franklyn B. Snyder, President of Northwestern University 25 Captain B. B. Wygant, USX (Ret)' pletely reorganized for class 2 and a more logical order of presentation was worked out. Much of the more com- plicated astronomical material was dropped out and a more elementary and practical treatment substituted. H.0.214 and the cosine-haversine methods were presented together, with the note, however, that "It (the consine-haversine formula) takes a little longer than H.0.214, but it is sure and reliable and has been the mainstay of Navigators for many years." Other innovations for class 2 proved less successful. Many lessons con- tained page-long sections of fill-in- the-blanks type questions. As so often is the case, many of the blanks were so obvious as to be worthless. The lesson sheets took on a correspondence- course appearance, partly from this excessive use of blanks, and partly from the regular use of the headings Subject, Objective, Text Assignments, Equipment Required, and Presenta- tion — the latter duplicating the in- structor's coverage of the material. Both of these devices were aban- doned lor class 3 in favor of the system of daily "Guides", and from here on, the course began to assume a more familiar appearance. The cosine- haversine formulas continued to enjoy equal prominence until class 8, when 46 they were relegated to an inferior position toward the end of the course. Although eliminated entirely for stu- dent officer classes A and B, they con- tinued to hang on until replaced by H.O.211 for class 11. The next major change after the adoption of H.O.211 was the introduc- tion and gradual extension of use of the Air Almanac extracts. The Air Almanac eventually assumed a status fullv equal to that enjoyed by its counterpart, the Nautical Almanac. The Rude Star Finder, at first used only in drills, was later issued to every midshipman and made an integral part of the course, replacing completely all other methods of star identification. Great circle and mid-latitude sailings, Red Azimuth, and Latitude by Polaris were eventually eliminated entirely. Other significant changes included the gradual development over a period of several classes of the graphic method now taught for determining Watch Time of Local Apparent Noon. The development of this method to replace the older, more cumbersome mathe- matical methods of computing Interval to Noon marks a real contribution by this school to the science of Naviga- tion. Another contribution is the present form of the Coordinate Trans- former which was greatly improved by suggestions first made by this depart- ment. The first wall-sized Rude Star Finder was constructed at our request. In addition to subjects already men- tioned, the course in its final form also included the study of publications and charts; construction of small area mer- cator charts; magnetic compass, Napier's diagram and deviation tables; Tide and Current Tables; soundings, radio bearings, fog signals, and vis- Twenty Thousand Men ibilitv of lights; danger angles and danger bearings; piloting; plotting ter- restrial and celestial lines of position and running fixes; correcting sextant altitudes; time zones; chronometers; maneuvering boards; the ephemerides of the sun, moon, stars, and planets; meridian altitude of the sun; and times of sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moon- set from both almanacs. The use of "Guides" issued prior to each new lesson which began, as men- tioned earlier, with class 3, was con- tinued, improved, and expanded, throughout the entire life of the de- partment. As early as class 4, some Fridays were devoted entirely to re- view. A few classes later, this was expanded to include almost all Fridays, and this use of a "Review Sheet" was continued until the adoption of a standardized curriculum for all mid- shipmen's schools forced its elimina- tion in class 19. As soon as Apprentice Seamen were assigned to this station for their entire indoctrination period, starting with class 11, Navigation began to utilize this time to start the course early. By class 13, the course had been extended to cover the entire Indoctrination period. LIse of the facilities of the Adler Planetarium for one or more lectures has been an important part ot the course since the very early classes. Navigation has shared with the Sea- manship department the use of the eight YP's which arrived at this sta- tion in the fall of 1943 and the spring of 1944. Regular classes are held aboard each day during the lake sea- son by an instructor assigned to each boat, and special practice in piloting and making sextant observations are a regular part of the program. Ad- 47 The Exec. Inspects on Abbott's Sun Deck. ditional training opportunities afloat have been provided during midship- man cruises aboard the U.S.S. Wil- mette, with two or more Navigation instructors assigned to each trip. Weekly drills, each of two hours duration, have been expanded to in- clude training with the buoyage model originally constructed by the Seaman- ship department, several lessons on piloting in coastal waters, maneuver- ing boards, Rude Star Finder, reading vernier scales, the principles of the Magnetic compass, and a wide variety of fine training films. For the true story of the Navigation department lies in its personnel. From the very beginning, the policy of the department has been to insist on the careful selection of men who have special interest or experience in teach- ing, and the retention of those men for as long a period as the Navy rotation program would permit. There- by men were obtained and retained who knew their subject and who loved to teach, men who could and did or- ganize out of the chaotic jumble of possibilities a well-integrated and teachable course of instruction. There are thousands of graduates of this school scattered throughout the Navy who will attest to how well this policy has paid off. 48 THE ORDERS CAME "Proceed to Chicago", they said PROBABLY the most exciting day of your life was the one on which you received your orders directing you to ... proceed to Chicago, 111., and report to the Commanding Officer, U. S. Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School, Abbott Hall, Northwestern University." Doubtless, no experience since — battles, taking over top watch, or skippering your own ship — has ever topped your excitement over realization that in tour months — if all went well — you would be a naval officer. Then began for you days of feverish activity — preparing for your descent upon the great mid-American metrop- olis. You were filled with conjecture over the life directly ahead. You wondered about the school, whether you could make the grade, whether you could stand the gaff physically. And you tried to imagine what Chi- cago would be like. How you reported to Abbott Hall depended upon your class. Each dif- fered, one from the other. The early midshipmen reported individually to the school arriving via transportation of their own selection; candidates of a later date arrived en masse from a pre-midshipmen's school. No matter the method of reporting. The big thing was that a new advent- ure in new surroundings awaited. Thus have men from every state in the Union and from almost all our far-flung terri- tories come to know Chicago. And Chicago has been good to know. The bustling Mid-Western city that Carl Sandburg called "the hog-butcher of the world," and which the unitiated still believe hides an Al Capone on every corner, has welcomed Abbott men, as it has all service personnel, with a hospitality that is unforgettable. No effort has been too great to make every midshipman feel at home, to make him realize that Chicago wanted his stay to be a memorable one. Obviously, Chicago means many different things to the thousands of Abbott graduates now on duty throughout the world. But there are some scenes which all Abbott men hold in common. . . . 49 This is Abbott Hall. Here the midshipmen's school was cradled in 1940. Ever since, it has played an important part in the life of the school to which it gave its name, and in the lives of the men who found it a comfortable, attractive and thoroughly delightful place to spend their midshipmen days. 50 This is Tower Hall. It was home to thousands of midshipmen who learned to know its gloomy innards intimately. Two battalions were quartered here — the 2nd and 3rd. The Officers' Mess was on the 15th deck. The elevator men who served the upper floors became salt drenched, announced "Main deck" when thev reached street level. 51 Abbott men will recall with nostalgia these two views of Wieboldt Hall and other buildings of North- western Universitys famous downtown campus. s; * »»,.«», , ,. ";-'" HHI! The Water Tower at the intersection of Michigan and Chicago avenues. . - • ,- >•>* I -<• Road Guard. They shall not pass! 54 120 DAY WONDERS Ensigns from Midshipmen Grew IT IS a well established fact — authenticated again by the Sec- retary of the Navy in the fore- word of this volume — that the success of our Navy in this worst of all wars has been made possible by the skill and bravery of the officers and men of the naval reserve. Under the direction of the regular Navy, these men have risen to every challenge with a magnificence that will some day be reported in an epic. No small amount of this achieve- ment has been made possible by the Navy's methods of training. And one of the truly successful schools, judged by the reports of high officers who have seen its graduates in action under every difficult type of situation, has been the Midshipmen's School, Abbott Hall. Since the first class, back in Sep- tember 1940, there has been a spirit manifest that has continued through- out the school's history — a spirit of great pride in the service and a gen- uine desire by all hands to serve honorably and well. This spirit was engendered by the Captain, trans- mitted thereupon to his staff, and by the staff to the midshipmen; it has been the mighty force in the school's success as a training institution. In retrospect, lew graduates will tail to recall how miserably incompetent, ignorant and civilian they felt at the outset of their Abbott Hall training. Yet lour months later, they wore their bright, new ensign's uniforms with poise and assurance, convinced that they could hold their own on battle- ship or PT, cruiser or carrier or on any ship Uncle Sam might decide to put them on. What caused this metamorphosis? It was simply "midshipmen life" as it was lived at Abbott Hall — the studies, examinations, drills, lectures, liberty, exercises, games, inspections, duty standing and general routine con- trived to eliminate civilian habits of thought and action lor those ol a Navy man. It was admittedly a rugged life — probably the toughest, roughest and most challenging training of a lite- time. Ask any Abbott man what he thought of it and the odds are he'll reply, 'I'd hate to ever have to go through it again, but, by Glory, I wouldn't have missed it for the world!" Here, in pictures is a record of that life as you lived it. 55 ,r : :,,^...; ..,,„«>*# w When Abbott Hall was very young, the Navy had no Pre- Midshipmen schools. The candidates in the early classes, drawn directly from civilian life, arrived in Chicago in civilian clothes, were logged in at Abbott 5P and eventually were equipped with uniforms as well as "a new way of life." 56 f i ?* nit But, as the war progressed, the Navy progressed — in every- thing, including training. And so the V-12 program was inaugurated, from which Abbott Hall candidates, apprentice seamen all, were eventually drawn. Many, in addition, at- tended Pre-Midshipmen schools. If you were one of them, your first view of Chicago was probably somewhat forebod- ing as when a draft of men from Princeton arrived, at the decrepit and gloomy old Dearborn station and there ran into the efficient Abbott or Tower battalion staffs for the first time. 57 The very first morning you were marched to the Armory where you stood in line to get your issue of CPO shirt, raincoat and blue banded hat. You turned in your Y-12 gear at the same time. It was a long and confusing day. 58 X y You did a lot of "standing by" as, for instance, when you had drawn your midshipmen gear and were wondering what was coming next. "Standing by" gave you plenty of opportunity to discuss the well worn subject, "What this place is going to be like." Frankly, it did not look promising. Nothing was left to speculation — not even the fillings in your teeth, which were probed, none too gently, by the dental officers on your very first day aboard. You stood in line to await this delightful experience in front of a low-hanging sign which read, "Remove vour rubbers." 60 You looked the officers over and they looked you over as you awaited your billet assignment. Invariably, although you did not know it, they were convinced that first day that your class did not measure up to the class which had just departed. 61 Rvents occurred thereafter with bewildering swiftness. For instance, you marched to the Armory, climbed to the 5th deck and there were measured with machine-like speed for your blues, greys, raincoat and hat. It was mass production. 62 But after a few weeks you were pretty much in the groove. There was real snap to your drilling as you practiced for Infantry Competition. And by that time, the blue banded bonnets seemed familiar head gear. The school, despite its menacing appearance and the impossible demands its staff made upon you, seemed "not so bad." 63 For one thing, the chow, as you now had begun to call that item previously identified as food, was pretty good. You got butter and meat, and all the milk you could drink. You had to stand in line to get it, but then, think what the poor civilians had to put up with. (A ; The tin trays did not encourage Emily Post table manners, but chow time did stimulate friendships, friendships which will endure as long as you live. 65 If you lived in Tower, you ate at long tables in a room covered with a mural of Chicago's history. And, of course, weekends, after inspection and on certain other occasions when your company officer and the duty officer approved, you could eat outside ... at Madame Galli's, Rickets, Harding's, or, if you were in the dough, at the Drake's Cape Cod Room. 66 jgfc.ll %w The Abbott Hall dining room was a bright, cheerful place. There weren't enough places for all midshipmen in the bat- talion, however. So you ate in shifts. The officers ate at two round tables in the north east corner. To their starboard, coffee perked merrily on an electric grill. 67 111 SI KL fit ,*- \ «. •■'"> ■"<•* **»**. As you marched about the bounded area you observed the men of the class that had entered a month or two previous to yours. You envied them. They seemed so much more poised, so much farther advanced in naval "know-how." 68 ♦ ir*% M* ^' i V ^ *^k ., f p l:i .. Funny how hungry a fellow gets going through a midshipman school. So you stood in line at the Abbott Hall Book Store to get candy bars and cokes as well as cigarettes. 69 There were times when it was difficult to keep eyes front. 70 # f « 1 "*' \ Going to classes from Tower soon became the most natural thing in the world for you to do. You formed outside Tower Hall at Tower Ct. and Pearson St. under the constant surveill- ance of battalion and duty officers, and, at the word from your section leader, headed east. 71 The bridge across Boul Mich came into being with the Six- teenth Class. An irate woman heard it cost a million dollars and wanted to raise Ned about it. She was probably the same person who asked the name of the parents of the Un- known Soldier. Anyway, across the bridge you went in broken step, right over one of the busiest thoroughfares in the world. 72 x^nd down the other side, where you formed on the run. 73 ^*s &*«» S u / 'ri- '*■ ^ J*h..' And then you headed up Pearson singing. It was good to sing; as you marched. 74 ¥ -% 1 If you lived at Abbott, you hurtled down the "ladder" to the lobby, where you formed, the corner of your eye taking in beauteous Betty behind the desk; then out the doors under the watchful eye of the duty officer. And you were always carrying something — books, athletic gear . . . something. 75 Looking down on you from high up in Abbott Hall, you made quite a picture as you marched down Lake Shore drive. During the winter months, when the wind came in off the lake, it was a challenging thing to maintain your ranks. There were times when it remained below zero for days. 76 ffl Study was advisable. And there were never enough hours to cover all the assignments in Seamanship, Navigation and Ordnance. The instructors were so doggone unreasonable. College, you soon decided, was a breeze compared to this! 77 HLOmMffiUJ mmiwjmm&tmwnmsn ) I! mm "Stone walls do not . . ."or something. But you lived a lot of life in the old Illinois National Guard Armory. You had some classes here, drills, inspections, games. And here's where you came for shots and visits to Sick Bay and the dentist. And if you strayed from the straight and narrow, you saw the Captain here, too, and the following Saturday after- noon, marched off your extra duty. They said you were fortunate if you lived at Abbott because the quarters were new and easy to keep clean. But three fellows in a two-by-four room! Nevertheless, they were good Joes, and vou were luckv to have drawn roommates like them. 79 Tower Hall rooms were of all sizes and descriptions. Some were regular dormitories, others just holes in the wall. And you had to keep everything ship shape, make your bunks with square corners and stow your gear "according to Wygant." There was a "quarters inspection" every Saturday morning. 80 But you had time, surprisingly, for bull sessions, too. You were a rare one if sometime during your four months at Abbott, you did not join the " temperature brigade." Sick Call was at day, 0730 and 1730. "Cat Fever" took the greatest toll. s: The Navy medicos introduced you to a number of sprays, medicines, pills and "shots." If you got the measles, mumps or any other of the rougher ailments, you were sent off hippity hop to Wesley Hospital, Passavant Hospital or Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Such interruptions in your schedule hurt most . . . academically. . : v. But if you did land in the hospital likely as not you were visited by the Chaplain, that robust, hearty good friend who came to Abbott Hall in 1944 after a spectacular career in the South Pacific. His influence was immediate and positive. Church parade and the choir were among his innovations. S4 ■■■MHHH > r^ •m r 4* It was sort of fun having the duty at the Armory. The senior duty officer was located here; except for the Skipper and the Exec, he was head man, and a busy man was he. Especially when the Skipper was heard shouting "Duty Officer!" 85 ; f m*Si0fexzi>'" m-m» ;|#f On duty at the Armory, you stood guard at the front door, saluted all officers and let no unauthorized person enter. 86 Or you stood guard at the west entrance and had plenty of exercise saluting and opening those cantankerous doors for officers. If you were particularly on you toes, you served as the Captain's orderly. That was an experience to remember! 87 ,-4 Having the duty at Abbott or Tower had its moments too. The battalion staff had more ideas on how to keep a guy on the run ! And the following day, you were supposed to be up on all your studies, prepared for a pop quiz in any subject. In Chicago, as you may recall, it rained occasionally, Especially on weekends. v> The curriculum didn't miss much in the way of preparing you to be an officer. You became quite expert with the Manual of Arms, but "Exercise with the Piece" as shown here stopped with the 13th class. The above maneuver was done to the chant, "Butts, muzzles, muzzles, butts." 90 ''%' "f 7M 4k .1/:'^- 5*«»**-<~* SSM^^S •J*s»' ^51kCC« IIF '^livtf^^-iL- *«#*ht*^ .ic : t**^^ : ;V : 'You must be rugged of body as well as of mind," said the Navy. So you endured punishment in many forms, such as the obstacle course located directly east of the Fire House. 91 And you had to swim fifty yards — or else 92 iiitt^l i y ■ But it could have been worse. And, of course, on occasion you were permitted to play touch football, baseball, volleyball and the like. Many midshipmen had been noted college stars. 93 The athletic contests frequently uncovered some bitterness. But the athletic specialists were experienced with handling baleful glares, even of their superiors, and the game went on. 94 t ■■■^■1 You were introduced eventually to the Jumping Jack, and other forms of torture conjured up by Commander Tunney. 95 Boul Mich, a pretty girl and a free Saturday afternoon — glory Buying your uniforms was really one of the great experiences of your midshipmen days. You descended on the shops after Saturday inspection. Maurice L. Rothschild's was one of these suppliers and among Chicago business institutions, one of the Navy's best friends. This store won a reputation for treating midshipmen right as Abbott men will long remember. •• $&. Finchley's was a favorite spot of midshipmen of all 25 classes. Finchley's set up a free sandwich bar with free cokes, built lasting friendships by their efforts to give the men the kind of uniforms they wanted. Hundreds of Abbott men at sea, still depend on Chicago uniform suppliers for their needs. 98 Then there were the inspections-- on Saturday afternoon. You griped plenty about them, yet in retrospect, they were among the more thrilling and satisfying events of your entire midshipman experience. You had developed a pride in your platoon and in your company. You wanted them to excel and you strove mightily that they would. And spit and polish at inspections were ways of doing it. 99 But there was nothing that stirred you more than when all three battalions paraded together. More than two thousand strong. Men, who in a few months, would be scattered 100 throughout the world, on ships and shore stations of every description — all bearing the unmistakable stamp of Abbott Hall. Yes, this was something to tell grandchildren about! 101 Not infrequently, these Saturday Inspections became oc- casions of additional moment when the Captain would conduct a ceremony for a member of the staff, perhaps your own instruc- tor, who, at sea, had done some spectacular deed which had won for him the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit or the Purple Heart. There wasn't a medal in the book that Abbott men hadn't been awarded. They had established a tradition that was going to be difficult to live up to. 102 But you can't have a school without classrooms. You saw a lot of different ones in your four months at Abbott ... in Abbott itself, in Tower Hall, the Armory and in Wieboldt Hall. Classroom discipline was typically Annapolis. You marched in, stood at attention until your section leader gave his report, then sat down at his command of "Seats!" 103 I IP 'I'M' « And what a lot there was to learn! A whole, new lingo. And such mystifying subjects as Navigation, Ordnance, Seaman- ship, Communications, Damage Control, Navy Regs, Ident- ification — and a lot of other odd items to boot. You don't know it, but every class was taught a different way as new books, new teaching materials and new methods were developed to make for easier, quicker, better learning. 104 Navigation proved rough going for many men. Its bewilder- ing concepts, the importance of math in solutions, the infinite care required to get the right answer — these caused many to fall by the wayside. Others found it easier going and even enjoved the P-work that was a standard weeklv chore. 105 1^. i To learn Celestial Navigation, buses took you to the Adler Planetarium way out on the tip of land jutting into Lake Michigan. After that trip, your interest was stimulated and the stars held greater meaning for you than before. 106 Drills were developed by the Navigation instructors to make understanding of their subject easier. One such drill was the Buoyage drill, using the model on the 5th Deck, Armory. Navigational aids, off-shore fixes and the importance of soundings didn't seem nearly so baffling to you thereafter. 10" You recognize this spot, of course — Thorn e Hall, or as some dubbed it, " Sleepy Hollow". Here you first met Captain Wygant — and came, too, for countless lectures, movies and classes. Recognition was taught to the last few classes here. 108 The first Abbott classes learned their Ordnance from books— not too good books. But as the school went on, more and more equipment appeared . . . guns big and small, projec- tiles of every type and sufficient in number to fill the Ordnance Museum. Fact is, the last few classes even had a Destroyer Mark 37 director, Mark 6 stable element, Mark 1 computer, firecontrol switchboard, and a single mount 5 "-38 gun. 109 So you learned about guns and what made them tick. How to load them, for one thing; how to organize your gun crew for another. This was practical, down-to-earth — and you were grateful for this experience when you finally got to sea. no si The good, old Twenties! Not much you didn't know about them after your drills in the Armory. You learned to take them apart literall in The Range-Finder Trainer gave you the word on that ord- inarily perplexing mechanism. The computations were a touch difficult, but not for long. 112 And there were eventually two firing ranges. The Rirle Range. 113 I* ■ And the Pistol Range. 114 The Yeoman's Office on the Second Deck, Armory, was always a beehive of activity. Here were kept the endless records of all midshipmen and the staff — plus all copies of all orders, directives, letters, et al. The Chief Yeomen were fabulous in- dividuals; they knew seemingly all the facts on all subjects. 115 In the west end of the Armory, Seamanship rigged up a DD bridge with ancient fittings that didn't work. But you learned here about the compass, the orders to the steersman, the engine room telegraph, the pelorus and other items you've used consistently ever since. The Signal Bridge had a complete flag bag where you were learned to Flag Hoist communications. 116 The Rigging Loft offered the materials with which you learned how to handle line and tie such knots as the bowline, clove hitch, square, blackwall and a few others, as well as splice. You learned Block and Tackle — pronounced tay-kle — here, too. It was surprising how much easier these things became when vou actually did them . . . 117 K W Flashing light and semaphore were stressed by Seamanship. First, you had endless drills in them in the Armory; next, you had ten minutes of instruction three days a week in class; and everv Friday— an exam. 118 m M- * «» Weather permitting, you went out to the Sea Scout base at Diversey Harbor for a pulling boat drill. 119 4 And spent a long, long day at Great Lakes at Fire Fight- er's school. It was a lousy way to spend a Sunday. 120 While you were living your busy life at Abbott Hall, your instructors lived quite busy lives, too — as any departmental bulletin board would have shown you. Here were posted the endless watch bills, classroom changes, bilgee lists, drill schedules et al, each requiring initialing by all hands. 121 Every Tuesday morning and afternoon, the Roundtable in the Wardroom acquainted all officers with the latest facts of Naval life. Here, too, they received the word on available naval billets, but there were few that did not seem to require nine years of bio-chemestry,and twelve years of animal husbandry. 122 Abbott Hall's cafeteria was popular with the instructors. The food was good, the charge was moderate and there was always plenty of company ready to talk "navy." 123 But "Murphy's", the beanery kitty-corner from the fire station, was the real hangout for officers and ships company. The coffee, clientele and entertainment were notable. 124 *-*. ¥ «V -* Rush Street, that avenue of doubtful character, also offered its charms to instructors, as well as midshipmen. There were some who shook their heads over its fateful allure. Several spots were declared "out-of-bounds." 125 mmm¥mmim^m * From time to time, the instructors had their pictures taken. In 1945, Cmdr. Lewis' Ordnance Department looked like this. 1st Row: Lt (jg) F. M. Johnson, Lt. Cdr. R. C. Nichols, Lt (jg) T. M. Barrington, Lt. C. J. Alike, Lt'jg) B. S. Gary, Jr., Comdr. E. Lewis. Lt (jg) R. D. Fuller. Lt (jg) F. J. Meade. Jr., Lt. \Y. E. Lowe. Lt. (jg) I . M. Southerland, Lt. C. A. Stine, Lt (jg) D. B. Bond. 2nd Row: Lt. R. J. Koenig, Li (jg) J. C. Fleming, Lt (jg) B. S. Greenlee, Lt. B. V. Keenan, Lt (jg) K. P., Briggs, Lt (jg) D. G. Brown. Lt. R. W. Mureh, Lt. ('. W. West. Lt (jg) P. W. Davis. Lt (jg) J. M. Spears, Lt (jg) C. L. Ballance, Lt (jg) A. Romanyak. 3rd Row: Lt. J. A. Koch, Lt. C. E. Nash, Lt (jg) H. A. Winkleman, Lt (jg) F. S. Benschel, Lt (jg) B. G. Brazier, Lt (jg) E. A. Struss, Lt (jg) J. J. Boei winkle, Lt (jg) W. H. Kersten, Lt (jg) R. B. Hawkins. Lt. A. P. Bonney, Jr., Lt. C. A. Wilson. Lt (jg) H. F. Arneman, Lt (jg) R. S. Otto, Lt. J. H. Lindstrom, Lt (jg) H. D. Price, Lt. J. F. Mclnnis, Lt (jg) B. N. .Johnson. 126 Lt. Cmdr. Gilroy lined up his staff of Navigation instructors in June 1945 to have their pictures taken. This was the result. Left to right: Lt. (jg). D. Sams, Lieut. W. F. Fan, Lieut. L. H. Nightengale, Lieut. C. A. Obv, Lieut. A. I. Whiteside, Lt. (jg). D. D. Malcolm, Lt. (jg). E. Barthel, Lieut. E. Z. Winton, Lt. (jg) J. R. Abernethv, Lt. Comdr. E. L. Gilroy, Lt. (jg) W. H. Flick, Lt. Comdr. O. B. Jones, Lieut. H. W. Sadler, Lt. (jg) S. Dunton, Ens. N. N. Kimzey, Lt. (jg) W. P. Rosensohn, Lt. (jg) R. L. Metcalf, Lieut. W. R. Malick, Lt. (jg) D. G. Satin, Lieut. F. O. Floberg, Lt. (jg) R. J. Frey, Lieut. J. F. Sharon. Not shown: Lieut. R. M. Simms, Lieut. J. F. Smith, Lieut. J. E. Grosboll. 127 /t •• f f' ft I f< , Illustrative of the rapid turnover in the staff is this picture of the Seamanship and Damage Control Department taken in December 1944. Cmdr. R. M. Parkinson was in charge. 1st Row: Lt. (jg) G. A. Dies, Lt. (jg) Z. W. Kosicki, Lt. A. D. Gardiner, Lt, (jg) E. L. Collings, Lt. R. W. Lowe, Lt. (jg) D. E. Goodell, Lt. (jg) D. F. Wright. 2nd Row: Lt. (jg) C. H. Sullavan, Jr., Lt. (jg) E. R. Gurtcheff, Lt. (jg) R. W. Tesch, Lt. (jg) W. M. Mac- Kenzie, Jr., Lt. (jg) C. W. Jones, Jr., Lt. (jg) C. A. Staebler, Jr., Lt. (jg) L. L. Cummings, Lt. F. Rasor. 3rd Row: Lt. (jg) E. R. Richardson, Lt, (jg) S. L. Wallace, Lt. W. H. Fetridge, Lt. Cdr. J. M. Boswell, Lt. Cdr. R. W. Clark. Jr., Cdr. R. M. Parkinson, Lt. Cdr. B. H. Willis, Lt. T. T. Chapman, Lt. E. F. Andren. Lt. (jg) W. T. Montgomery, Lt. (jg) A. B. Durand. 4th Row: Lt. L. G. Johnson, Lt. (jg) R. W. Brett, Jr., Lt (jg) R. C. Gleason, Lt. G. C. Steffen, Lt. J. S. A. Blum, Lt. (jg) S. M. Osterhus, Lt. L. M. Haarvig, Jr., Lt. (jg) J. T. Suite, Lt, A. A. Halle, Lt. (jg) T. E. Pulley. 5th Row: Lt. (jg) J. R. Davenport, Lt. (jg) F. B. Knoop, Lt. Cdr. W. C. Zeigler, Jr., Ens. W. C. Pendleton, Jr., Lt. (jg) E. F. Healy, Ens. G. M. Clark. Lt. F. A. Warren, Lt. (jg) J. L. Isham, Lt. (jg) J. Millsap. 6th Row: Lt. M. M. Perloff, Lt. (jg) M. H. Whitelaw, Lt. B. R. Fisher, Lt. (jg) L. E. Tufflv. Lt. (jg) T. J. Hickey, Ens. C. E. Hamel, Lt. (jg) W. H. Shipley. 128 \ •-? £ Six months later, Cmdr. Burry's Seamanship Department was substantially smaller and many of the "old faces" had been replaced by new ones — men recently returned from sea. 1st Row: Lt. rjg) L. W. Leac-h, Lt. P. S. League, Lt. (jg) C. A. Staebler, Lt. (jg) E. R. Richardson, Lt. (jg) L. E. Tuffly. Lt. C. E. Lamm, Lt. M. M. PerlofT. Lt. (jg) E. L. Collings, Lt. (jg) R. W. Tesch. 2nd Row Lt. (jg) C. W. Jones, Jr., Lt. (jg) D. E. Goodell, Lt. (jg) G. A. Dies, Jr., Lt. (jg) E. F. Healv. Comdr. W. Burry, Lt. Comdr. B. H. Willis, Ens. E. Plew, Lt. (jg) J. T. Snite, Lt. E. F. Andren, Lt. (jg) F. B. Knoop. 3rd Row: Lt. (jg) D. E. Bertholf, Lt. (jg) E. F. Harmon, Jr., Lt. A. G. Holder, Lt. (jg) R. W. Brett, Jr. Lt. (jg) E. R. Gurtcheff, Lt. P. W. Haigh. Jr.. Lt. A. M. D. Gardiner, Lt. (jg) R. C. Gleason. Lt. Comdr. W. C Ziegler, Lt. (jg) J. L. Isham. 129 The Administrative Department, headed by Lt. Cmdr. Nichols, had shrunken considerably by June, 1945, although such stalwarts as Logan, Follis and Bartholomew were absent when this picture was taken. 1st Row : Gunner ]•'. E. Deisinger, Lt. J. M. Gephart, Lt. (jg) A. M. Allen, Lt. (jg) W. E. Miller, Lt. jg) H. C. Jackson, Lt. (jg) C. B. Sheldon. 2nd Row: Lt. fjg) R. P. Stachurski, Lt. (jg) R. J. Messner, Jr., Lt (jg) •'• W. Whatley, Lt. (Mr. L. H. Nichols, Lt. .1. M. Edwards, Lt. (jg) R. M. Greening, Lt. (jg) V. J. Wise. 130 Ordnance instructors never had an idle moment 131 M'i ■ & The Medical Department did some posing, too. 1st Row: Bach, F. R., Ph.M. 2-c, Pickler, J. E., Ph.M. 2-c, Weiss, W. F., Ph.M. 1-c, Pineo, W. , Ph.M. 3-c, Milstein, C. Ph.M. .3-c, Sugg, A. E., Ph.M. 3-c, Alexander, V. H., CPhM, Avers, T. E. Ph.M. 3-c. 2nd Row: Walczvk, R. J. Lt. (DC), Manke, W. C, Lt. (DC), Soueek, F., Lt. (DC),Lathrop, D.E., Ph.M. 1-c, Rochefort, M. C, Ph.M. 2-c, Fischer, G. G.. Lt. Conidr (MO. Bull. F. A. Lt. Conidr. (DC), Adler. B. R., Ph.M. 2-c, Gubler, J. A., Lt. (MC), Franklin, L. Lt. (DC), Sakowski, T., Lt. (DC). Not present: Martin, E. R., Ph.M. 2-c, Rvndak, B. M.. Ph.M. 2-c. Millar. J. I. Ph.M. 2-c, Helnie. L. J. Ph.M. 2-c. Heilgeist, R. P., Ph.M. 2-c. Speedie, J. Ph.M. 3-c, Kunitz, II. B. Ph.M. 3-c, Jones, L. C. Jr.. 1 1. A. 1-c, Allen, R. J. H.A. 1-c, Francis, R. L. Ph.M. 3-c. 132 The Supply Department leaned heavily upon the Waves. 1st Row: Ens. H. E. Irvine; Ruth Heis SKD2c; Helen CTHeron SKD2c; Constance Hunt SKD2c; Eileen Roberts SKD2c; Hazel Robertson SKDlc; E. Wake SK2c; Ruth Wulfsberg SKD3c. 2nd Row: Frank Zemonek SK2c; Katherine Carie Sic; Betty Hart SK3c; Betty Steinmann Sic; Jeanne Lewtich SKDlc; Jean Rozinski SKDlc; Lorraine Hockett SKD3c. 3rd Row: Laurie Miller SK2c; Vito LaGreco Sic; Carl Albert Sic; Freeman Hansberger SK3c; Robert O'Leary SKlc; William McKiernan SKlc; Edwin Metz SK3c. 4th Row: Raymond Crisman Slc;La Verne ZillaCSKD; Joseph Brand CSK; Lt (jg) George Beam; Lt Harry McAllister; Jack Dukes APC. 133 The size of Ship's Company varied throughout the life of the school, reaching at one point over 130 men. These men did important work in all departments, stood Armory watches 1st Row: Buchanan, Wheatley, Slaughter, Scott, Males, Bungerford, Penley, Alger. Slavich, GriflBn, Hudson, Lawson, Lind, Loar, Fawcett, Jenen, Sato, Hicks, Thomas P.G. 2nd How: Mikolajewski, Swarat, Goodwin, O'Leary. Luksik. Miller L.M., Baer, Malone, Broome. Alkire, Wombold, Pineo, Alver, Colquhoun, Adams E, Avers, LaClreco, Metz. 134 I I mt m nightly and on weekends. They were a credit to the school and to the Navy. This picture shows Ship's Company, AML (after Moore left). Gunner Deisinger was Ship's Company Officer. 3rd Row: McDonough, Zomenek, Pickler. Graham,. Hansberger. O'Leary. Heilgeist, Milstein, Crisman, Ryndak, Albert, Bach. 4th Row: Zilla, Swagel, Brand, Alexander. 135 • ■■■.-. The Waves — bless them! Their advent on the Station in 1943 found many men suspicious and resentful. But not for long! Front: Ensign E. E. Plew, Ensign N. N. Kimzey, Ensign M. E. Manges. 1st, Row: R. C. Heis. SK (D) 2c; L. B. Hockett, Sic CSK); V. G. Shell, Y3c; L. J. Helme, PhM2c; E. M. Dolan, Yle; R. M. Ebner, Y3c; L. V. Monuiszko, Y3c; C. M. Enright, Y3c; J. P. Cany. Y2c; B. V. Hart SK (D) 2c; B. E. Steinmann, Sic fSK); B. R. Adler, PhM2c; E. I). Wake. SK2c; H. Y. Robertson. SK(D)lc. 136 The girls in uniform were tactful, industrious, good-natured and capable. We were might}' glad to have them aboard. 2nd Row: J. I. Miller. Ph.M2c; B. Cooper. Y3c; D. R. Barendse. Sp(X)3c; G. E. Thelin. Sic; M. D Whipple. Y2e; P. A. Weseott. Y2c; C. B. Curie. Sic; C. B. Hunt. SK D) 2c; J. Speedie, Ph.M3c; L. E. H. Roberts, SK (D) 2cT; E. P. Hoffberg. Y2c. 3rd Row: H. H. O'Heron. SK Di 2c; R. I. Wulfsberg. SK (Di 3cT; H. B. Kunitz. Ph.M3c; J. Cameron, Ylc; J. J. Lewtiuch. SK D Lc; J J. Rozinski, SK l Dj lc; AI. R Steio ailler, Y3c; A. L. Bovd. Y2c; C. Samuels. Y3c; L. A. Leffingwell. SK D> 3c; C. E. Buvse. Y2c; L. V. Kirsch, Y2c. 137 .^W-'^i;,'''^ Midshipmen came to know many of Abbott Hall's Chiefs— and benefited by the association. The Captain gave them lar^e credit for the school's success. 1st Row: Alexander, Ch.Ph.M., Foster, C.Y., Osborne, C.F.C., Schmidt, C. CM., Swagle, C.G.M., Watson, Stonley, C.Sp., Fitzgerald, C.Sp., Deisenger, Gunner. 2nd Row: Du Hallway, C.Sp., Tyrrell, C.Sp., Haves. C.Sp.. Nelson. C.Sp., Bronel, C.S.K., O'Brien, C.Sp. Sether, C.Sp. 138 On occasion, the staff got together for parties. One such notable event was held at the Svithoid Club with some 200 in attendance. Each department put on a skit. The Captain took his ribbing with great good humor. 139 From time to time gold braid was much in evidence around Abbott Hall. For instance, Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs delivered several addresses. Vice Admiral Carpender, Mr. Harry Wells, Northwestern University vice president and Capt. YVolleson, skipper at Navy Pier, all listened intently on this occasion, as did Captain Wygant. 140 Books alone taught man}' of the early classes of midshipmen about the sea. But in 1942, through the cooperation of the Navy League of the United States and Chicago yachtsmen, a program was instituted whereby midshipmen spent several days on the lake in privately owned yachts. It was the first time many midshipmen had ever been on a boat of any kind. The program attracted national attention. 141 The yachtsmen, all seasoned sailors, took great interest in showing you how to handle their craft. It was wonderful training and when you got to sea, you were more than ever grateful for these few days of practical experience. 142 But in October, Abbott instructors, under the command of Lt. Theron T. Chapman, USNR, took four YP's from the Naval Academy at Annapolis, brought them up the Hudson, through the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes to Belmont Harbor. At last, Abbott had its own fleet of regular Navy craft. And you spent several days aboard them before you graduated. 143 In 1944, four more YP's were brought from Annapolis, this time under the command of Lieut. Erland F. Andren, USNR. So our fleet consisted of eight YP's. What a thrill it was togo out into Lake Michigan, in formation — with you at the wheel. 144 fe j OV" | tor K Late in 1944, the "yippee" boys had their picture taken. They represented varying degrees of saltiness. 1st Row: Lt. (jg) R. W. Brett, Jr.. Lt. (jg) C. W. Jones. Jr., Lt. J. S. A. Blum; Lt. L. M. Harvig, Lt. (jg) L. W. Leach. 2nd Row: Lt. (jg) S. Dunton, Lt. (jg) S. M. Osterbus, Lt. T. T. Chapman. Cdr. R. M. Parkinson. Ens. A. Corbett, Lt. G. D. Beem, Lt. (jg) J. T. Snite. Lt. Cdr. B. H. Willis. 3rd Row: Lt. (jg) C. E. Savage. Jr.. Lt. G. C. StefTen. Lt (jg) E. Barthell. Jr.. Lt. (jg) T. E. Pullev. Lt. J. O. Anderson, Lt. (jg) E. L. Collings, Ens. W. C. Pendleton. Jr., Lt. (jg) R. J. FitzWilliam. 145 ^iffc^ mM^ * « i » f ♦ • • w9~* You had more "fresh-water" sea experience, too — aboard the USS Wilmette, the Ninth Naval District's training ship. The Wilmette was a reconverted pleasure steamer, the Eastland, which many years ago had capsized in Chicago's harbor at great loss of life to its passengers. Top speed of the Willie was about ten knots. You had a three dav cruise aboard her. 146 r ... . : fflEEE -* You handled the Willie's wheel 147 You actually fired her guns 148 And after three days you felt a lot more confident of your ability to go to sea. Not that you weren't delighted when you saw Chicago harbor come into sight! 149 Getting a special pass was a lot of red-tape, but you made the effort if Lulu belle had come to town just to see you. So you went to your company officer, who sent you to . . . and on and on and on. 50 /. * p ■: But, oh man, it was worth it . 151 *&**&£ We haven't forgotten to mention that you marched, have we? Fact is, you marched everywhere . . . 152 h But only occasionally did you really have a chance to strut your stuff as in the Navy Day parade back in 1943. Observers said you were in a class bv vourself — and you were! 153 \ mm. As graduation approached, the days became charged with excitement. Final exams lay dead ahead and, if your grades were below 3.0, you boned furiously to prepare yourself for them. 154 On your way to your very last exam you had much to think about. Orders for many men had arrived . . . Phil had gotten a cruiser, Jim was going to amphib. Ted to the PT school at Melville, R.I. It seemed impossible to wait another minute to learn what vour orders would be. 155 • if & : 'j&k. ■-^J^B^BP*^- The last exam. You wrote furiously, pouring out every drop of knowledge you knew about the subject. When it was over a great weight lifted from your shoulders. You said, "Well, that's that." You felt wonderfully free and relaxed at last. 156 m Midshipmen were not the only ones to sweat over examina- tions. Exams were "all hand" evolutions for instructors who worked far into the night grading and processing the papers. The work required intense concentration, constant cross checking to insure accuracy. When the last card, properly i nitialed, was filled out, the instructors heaved a sigh of relief. 157 1*~ / * \ I i * rjrtrv* *sm Only the 24th and 25th classes will remember this occasion— the memorial service held in the Armory for our departed Commander-in-Chief, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 158 s .— >w... P * During your last week, there was the Ball — the Midshipmen's Ball — at the Edgewater Beach or the Stevens Hotel. What a party that was! Lulubelle couldn't get there, but that cutie from Evanston — now there was a oral! 159 immmmmm WM You had your orders, finally. And your train reservation. And your hags were packed. And the whole school was a mad- house. For this was graduation day. And, presently, exhiler- ated, but with a lump in your throat, you were marching "the last mile" in your bright new ensign's uniform to- wards Navy Pier — or wherever your graduation took place. 1111 "«■■ wm 4LW And then you were seated in the auditorium. Another hour and it would be official. You'd be a genuine Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve. And people would have to salute vou once in a while now 1 161 At one such graduation, the first in Abbott's history, all the graduates plus their families and friends fitted nicely into Thorne Hall. An officer by the name of Rear Admiral Chester Nimitz, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, was the speaker. 162 Then Captain was shaking your hand. "Good luck, young man," he said, as he handed you your diploma. You liked the Old Man. You would always remember him. 163 1M ,vV <**' Then it was over. Hip, Hip Hoorav! Hats the air. Faces alight with pride. It was a great moment! 165 Outside, you chatted briefly with your friends, said good-bye to your proud but tearful mother and dad — and to Lulubelle and Jim and Ted and Tom . . . 66 REMEMBER . . . ? THE END