United States Naval Academy - Lucky Bag Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

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i. 1 owhere else among the imposing buildings and statues of the yard will you find the delightful contrast of new and old displayed by Ward Hall and Dahlgren Hall, standing side by side. Significantly, the modern Ward Hall with its gleaming white exterior extends in front of the older, grayish, more sedate building . . . yet joins it as if deriving some strength from the substantial pillars of the older structure . . . symbolic, perhaps, of the branch of the Navy it houses. The Ordnance Department, with its new miracle equipment often capable of operat- ing faster and more accurately than the human brain itself, is likewise founded on the firm basic principles that has been the Navy ' s standard throughout the years. Inside, the analogy can be extended . . . equipment showing a Bucit Rogers infiuence, on display in the Model Room of Ward Hall, compares with the old but reliable spotting apparatus which has served many classes faithfully in Dahlgren Hall. Even the functions served by these buildings are highly diversified. Where the halls may ring with professional echos of right 05 up 500 on weelcdays ... the rustle of skirts and the sound of feminine voices predominate on week ends. The staccato of marching feet ... the enthusiastic yells of the basketball crowd . . . and even the strains of a symphony orchestra are not infrequently heard. From the first time we took our Springfields off the rack until the time we threw our caps into the air this group of buildings was closely associated with our training routine. t aM ytm zii

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IflBUllEll Hllll The scene of many events of varying interest and attendance, Dahlgren Hall is one of the foci of midshipman life. Its main function is that of an armory. The hall w as named after one of the Navy ' s leading ordnance specialists of all time and is appropriately guarded by Dahlgren guns at its entrance. Its shelves and display cases are filled with mementoes of battles and of ordnance developments. Here can be found everything from a squirrel gun to the latest in main battery director and fire-control systems. The day begins early for Dahlgren Hall. First period will always find a company or more of first or second classmen assembled on the balcony waiting to be sent to one of the numerous mock-ups [for an ordnance drill. Remembered are the days that started much earlier . . . with an hour of drill imder arms for the unfortunates on the extra duty squad. From the balcony groups of white-works clad midshipmen follow their respective instructors to their assigned drill. First class year finds the midshipmen working w ith their nose a little more to the grindstone . . . the points awarded for competitive drills is the reward. Points toward the flag . . . the color company. In Dahlgren Hall can be found, if you look, one of the most extensive training aids libraries available. There is to be found without looking too hard, row upon row of MI rifles. These come into play shortly after the last drill is secured. The Brigade forms for P-rade and the man in the back rank groans under the load as the stripers bawl out their preparatory commands. All during these various and sundry activities the building and grounds workmen have been busy setting up bleachers and folding chairs for another basektball game ... or preparing the track on the balcony for an indoor track practice. 22