Everett Larson (DDR 830) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 16 text:

THE WARDROOM Through traditional usage the term Wardroom has come to embrace both the Wardroom itself and the officers who are members of it. If your ordinary landlubber knows what the Wardroom of a Naval Vessel is, he probably has little idea of its significance to the ship. It is true that it is the place where the commissioned officers are served their meals, and where they can spend leisure time in comparative comfort. It is further true that no such lux- uries are available to enlisted men, — although the Chief Petty Officers Mess is reputed to serve better food. There was even once a Secretary of the Navy who advocated the abolishment of the Wardroom altogether as undemocratic. So much for public, and civilian opinion. The Wardroom has an importance to a ship far greater than the creature comforts it allegedly affords the officers; which, in a destroyer underway, can be less than negligible. The Wardroom, by tradition and by its very existence, is a mark of privilege which must be deserved. Privilege above the ordinary for those who assume responsibility above the ordinary. Only when the privilege or the authority is abused is there legitimate resentment of this institution. There is another equally important aspect of the Wardroom. Almost without exception its appearance and the conduct of the officers in it set the tone of a ship. Their example is invariably followed by the crew. Even the conversation at the table has a way of filtering through the ship. The effect of congeniality and loyalty cannot help but bolster morale and confidence. Loose talk and discontent can do the greatest harm. You can judge the morale and physical condition of nearly every ship by the appearance, courtesy and atmosphere of her WR.

Page 15 text:

The Wardroom Officers mmt ' fc W J m mf 2. . J HP 4 ! ' iff r — fcj N M m m m mw k mm a . 19 « A H Bryant W. W. Boyd, Jr. T. J. Williams J. P. Sydow J. W. McNutt D R. Moyer J. A. Bonner E. B. Adams A. Jackson III A. W. Buckley Cdr. USNR Lcdr. USN Lt. (jg) USNR Lt. (jg) USN Lt (jg) USNR Lt (jg) USN Lt. (jg) USNR Lt (jg) USNR Lt. (jg) USN Lt. (jg) USNR J. R. West N. DiFilippis K. H. Spaeth L. Hicks B Rudrsill W. S. Filbrun J. D. Hamm Lt. (jg) USNR Lt. (jg) USNR Ens. USNR Ens. USN Ens. USN Ens '

Page 17 text:

CREW ' S VIEW OF THE WARDROOM Captc f Y Executive Officer Did he say right standard rudder 77 Shay