"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

I SERVED IN THE US NAVY

JFK SPEAKS TO MIDSHIPMEN AT ANNAPOLIS

Annapolis, Maryland (JFK+50) On August 1, 1963, President John F. Kennedy, a veteran of the United States Navy during World War II*, addressed a new class of midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy** here in Annapolis.

President Kennedy said...

"I can think of no more rewarding a career.  You will have a chance to serve the cause of freedom and your country all over the world.

Your service is needed....your opportunities are unlimited...and...if I were a young man in 1963 I can imagine no place to be better than right here at this academy...beginning a career of service to the United States.

Any man who may be asked in this century 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'".

*JFK served in the USN from 1941 to 1945.  He was first assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, D.C. & then was trained as an officer & PT boat commander.  JFK was promoted to Lt. j.g. & commanded PT109 in the South Pacific.  

**USNA was founded in 1845 by James K. Polk & George Bancroft.  It is the 2nd oldest service academy & its liberal arts college was rated #1 in the nation by US News & World Report in 2016.

US Navy Recruiting Poster

United States Naval Academy

Annapolis, MD

Photo by Don Ramey Logan.jpg

from Wiki.media

CC-A-SA-4.0

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY FOUNDED 

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 on October 10, 1845.

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.

   US Naval Academy (1853)

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 five years with the first and last years being at school while the others would require 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 ADDRESSES NAVAL CADETS

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

JFK+50 Note:

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".

NAVAL SCHOOL FOUNDED AT ANNAPOLIS

October 10, 1845

NAVAL SCHOOL FOUNDED AT ANNAPOLIS

Annapolis, Maryland (JFK+50) Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft* opened today a Naval School on the grounds of Fort Severn, formerly an Army post, here in Annapolis.

Assisting in both the founding of the institution & its curriculum is Commodore Matthew C. Perry who strongly favored an apprentice system to train new seamen.

The Naval School has enrolled 50 students who will be taught by a compliment of 7 professors.

The curriculum for the midshipmen will include math & navigation, gunnery & steam, chemistry, English, natural philosophy & French.

The course of study will last 5 years with the 1st & last years being at school & the other 3 service at sea.

The 1st graduating class will graduate 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) & one month as Secretary of War.

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

**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.

AUGUST 1, 1963

PRESIDENT KENNEDY SPEAKS AT NAVAL ACADEMY

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

The President, who is 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 & 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".