"A LIFE OF MILITARY SERVICE IS A TEST OF WILL"

JFK DELIVERS COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS AT ANNAPOLIS

Annapolis, Maryland (JFK+50) On June 7, 1961, President John F. Kennedy gave the commencement address at the United States Naval Academy here in Annapolis.

The President told the graduates that devotion to a life of military service "is the greatest contribution a man can make," but added that such dedication is..."a test of will."

The President said...

"Where there is a visible enemy to fight, the tide of patriotism...runs strong, but where there is a long struggle with no immediate visible foe...your choice will seem hard."

   

 

US Naval Academy Campus

Annapolis, MD

Photo by Michael Slonecker

"WHAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY IS THE GREATEST CONTRIBUTION"

JFK ADDRESSES NAVAL ACADEMY GRADS 

Annapolis, Maryland (JFK+50) On June 7, 1961, President John F. Kennedy addressed the graduating class of the United States Naval Academy here in Annapolis.  Also in attendance were the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The address began shortly after 11 a.m. at the Field House.

President Kennedy said...

"I know that you are constantly warned during your days here not to mix, in your Naval career, in politics.  I should point out, however...that my rather rapid rise from a Reserve Lieutenant, of uncertain standing, to Commander-in-Chief, has been because I did not follow that very good advice."

JFK reminded the navy grads that President Woodrow Wilson addressed the Class of 1914.  He spoke of how the military and the world had changed since that time.  He continued...

"You...have a most important responsibility, to recognize that your education is just beginning, and to be prepared, in the most difficult period in the life of our country, to play the role that the country hopes and needs and expects from you.

What you have chosen to do for your country, by devoting your life to the service of the country, is the greatest contribution that any man could make."

SOURCE

"Remarks at Annapolis to the Graduating Class of the United States Naval Academy, June 7, 1961," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, January 20, 1961 to December 31, 1961. United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962.

US Naval Academy

Class of 2011 Graduation

Annapolis, MD

Photo by MCS 1st Class Chad Runge

US Navy Image

JFK PRESENTS COLLIER TROPHY TO MERCURY 7 ASTRONAUTS

October 10, 2013

JFK PRESENTED COLLIER TROPHY TO FIRST AMERICAN ASTRONAUTS 50 YEARS AGO 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy presented the Collier Trophy to the first American astronauts at the White House 50 years ago today, October 10, 1963.

The National Aeronautic Association and LOOK magazine awarded the Robert J. Collier* trophy each year to honor outstanding achievement in aviation.

Herbert Hoover Presents

Collier Trophy of 1929

The White House

NACA Photo

The trophy for 1963 was presented jointly to the original 7 man team of astronauts which included...

Lt. Comdr. M. Scott Carpenter
Maj. L. Gordon Cooper, Jr.
Lt. Col. John H. Glenn, Jr.
Maj. Virgil I. Grissom,
Comdr. Walter M. Schirra,Jr.
Comdr. Alan Shepard
Maj. Donald K. Slayton

Speaking at the ceremony for the NAA was Martin M. Decker, the association's president.  Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and NASA Director James E. Webb also attended the event.

President Kennedy said...

"I think (this trophy) honors an extraordinary page in American history, as well as in the history of flight.  And I hope that this award...will be a stimulus...to (all) who will carry our flag to the moon and perhaps even someday beyond."

JFK concluded his remarks by saying...

"I am confident that when this job is done...we will have particular appreciation to the Americans who are here today, who led this effort.  So it is a great pleasure for me to present to them this celebrated award."

*Robert J. Collier (1876-1918), born in New York City,  became head of P.F. Collier and Son Publishing Company upon his father's death. He was a graduate of Georgetown University.  Collier died of a heart attack at age 42. 

SOURCE

"Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.



NAVAL ACADEMY FOUNDED 168 YEARS AGO

Annapolis, Maryland (JFK+50) Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft** opened a naval school on the grounds of Fort Severn***, a former an Army post, here in Annapolis 168 years ago today, October 10, 1845.

     US Naval Academy (1853)

Assisting in both the founding of the institution and its' curriculum was Commodore Matthew C. Perry, a strong proponent of an apprentice system to train new seamen.

 The Naval School enrolled 50 students and employed 7 professors.

The curriculum for the midshipmen included math and navigation, gunnery and steam, chemistry, English, natural philosophy and French.

The course of study was to be completed in 5 years with the 1st and last years being at school while the other 3 would be service at sea.

The first class graduated in June 1854.***

**George Bancroft (1800-1891) was born in Worcester, Massachusetts & graduated from Harvard in 1817.  He earned his PhD from the University of Gottingen in Germany. 

Professor Bancroft published a multi-volume History of the United States (1834-1874). He served in President James K. Polk's cabinet as Secretary of the Navy (1845-46) and one month as Secretary of War.

                        George Bancroft
       Photo by Matthew Brady (1860)
             Library of Congress Image

***Fort Severn was built on the site of a Revolutionary War bastion in 1808 to guard the city of Annapolis against British attack.

The USNA used the fort for classrooms until it was demolished in 1909 and replaced with modern buildings.  In 1977, the DAR placed a marker at the site in honor of the original fort.

In 1850, the Naval School became the UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY. The following year the curriculum was altered to 4 years with training on ships in the summers.

JFK SPEAKS AT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY

Annapolis, Maryland (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy spoke at a ceremony held at Bancroft Hall honoring the new class of midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy on August 1, 1963.

The President, who was a Navy veteran, said:

"I want to express our strong hope that all of you who have come to the Academy as plebes will stay with the Navy.

I can imagine a no more rewarding career .

Any man who may be asked...what he did to make his life worthwhile...can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'"

                  Graduating Class of 1894

            United States Naval Academy

                      Annapolis, Maryland****

****The USNA accepted women as midshipmen beginning in 1976.  Today women make up 14% of the plebe or 1st year class.  The young lady in the photo above is identified simply as "Mascot".

JFK SPEAKS TO GRADUATES AT ANNAPOLIS

June 7, 1961


JFK SPEAKS TO GRADUATES AT ANNAPOLIS


President John F. Kennedy gave the commencement address today at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.


The President told the graduates that devotion to a life of military service "is the greatest contribution a man can make" but that such dedication is a "test of will".


JFK continued:


"Where there is a visible enemy to fight the tide of patriotism in this country runs strong, but where there is a long, slow struggle, with no immediate visible foe....your choice will seem hard."

US Naval Academy at Annapolis
   Photo by Michael Slonecker


June 7, 1963


JFK HAS A BUSY DAY IN CALIFORNIA


President John F. Kennedy had a very busy day in the state of California today.


He gave a speech at the Naval Air Station after being introduced by Governor Pat Brown.

 Naval Air Station

The President then reviewed naval weaponry at the China Lake Station.


In the evening, JFK attended a Democratic Party fund raising event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.


The President was presented a silver tray by a group of local high school graduates.


June 7, 1966


RFK SPEAKS IN SOUTH AFRICA


Robert F. Kennedy spoke today on the issue of human rights before a very large crowd at the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa.

         University of KwaZulu-Natal


June 7, 1968


SIRHAN INDICTED AS RFK LIES IN STATE IN NEW YORK


The alleged assassin of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, was indicted today on a charge of 1st degree murder in Los Angeles, California.

Sirhan Sirhan

Meanwhile, in New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral, the body of Senator Robert Francis Kennedy lies in state as a line of mourners stretched for a mile & a half.


The Senator's body was in a closed African mahogany coffin.

          St. Patrick's Cathedral
               New York City
     Photo by Matt Weaver (2007)


June 7, 1942


THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY ISLAND ENDS 


After 4 days of combat, the United States Pacific Fleet has scored a major victory over the Japanese Imperial Navy.


The victory came as a result of the sinking of 4 Japanese aircraft carriers & 1 cruiser as well as the destruction of 292 Japanese aircraft.


Japanese casualties are over 2500.*




*The Battle of Midway will be the turning point of  the Pacific War.

     US Navy Dive Bombers at Midway




June 7, 1939


KING GEORGE VI ARRIVES IN THE USA


At the invitation of the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, King George VI of Great Britain arrived in the United States today.


The King, accompanied by his wife Elizabeth, crossed the Canadian-US border into Niagra Falls, New York.

       The Royal Couple Visit America


This Royal Visit will symbolize a new era of American-British relations.*


*During the visit to FDR's home, the King stayed up late talking with the President.  At one point, FDR said: "Young man, it's time for you to go to bed."  


King George VI said later, "Why don't my ministers talk to me that way."

King George VI & FDR

June 7, 1893


GANDHI REFUSES TO OBEY SEGREGATION RULES IN SOUTH AFRICA


Mohandas K. Gandhi, a young Indian lawyer working in South Africa, refused to comply with the country's racial segregation rules today.


Gandhi was forcibly removed from a South African train at Pietermaritzburg.*


*Gandhi formed the Natal Indian Congress launching a campaign against legislation which would deny the right to vote to Indians living in South Africa.  After 7 years of protest, Gandhi was able to negotiate a compromise agreement on the issue with the government of South Africa.

Mohandas Gandhi (1895)