US Naval Reserve Midshipmens School - Capstan Yearbook (Notre Dame, IN)

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. . . . executive M. D. FAIRCHILD Lieut. Commander Unitea' States Nazpf Coming from the Diesel Training School at the University of California to become Executive Ofiicer of the Midship- men's School, Commander Fairchild brought with him eighteen years of naval experience, a love of the Navy, innate aifability and friendliness and a 'gstrict disciplinary Sensei,-making those who served under him both love and respect him. Since being graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1930 Commander Fairchild has seen duty on many types of ships in the fleet and two tours at Annapolis. He saw duty as a member of Admiral William H, Stanley'S staff on the cruiser Chicago. During the Spanish Civil War, Commander Fairchild was on the destroyer Kane when she was bombed while evacuating American citizens from the war zone. With a young Americanis critical analysis of all those who say Thus thou must do , the ntidshipmen studied and admired their Commander. They will remember him as an oH'icer who justly administered discipline whenever found necessary, whose home was a rendezvous of fellow- ship and cheer, and who was never too busy to listen to problems or offer a helping hand.

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gndigh folzn foaaplz farle f Juedaf of ,Honor ' ' lo Announcement washma e on De- cember 21 of the posthumous award- ing of the Congressional Metal of Honor to Ensign John joseph Parle, USNR, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Vincent Parle, of Omaha, Nebraska, for valor and courage above and be- yond the call of duty during the assault on Sicily, July 9-10, 1943. Ensign Parle graduated from Notre Dame Midshipmen School and was commissioned on Janu fy'28, 1943. . - gf if ---,, ,I Nil ,. 1-I gi.-- ...-, A , 1 , fad' N. 'Q'-Q. iex-3 C' t t -. 1 s-1 , il 121 fx ' Sz., if . .-KVM. ' If 1 if 'T .E . - , V. , 1. Z, ,A i AQ 'TA 63n'. -,rl . 4 .V 2 N' 'Jef , ' . . ,GH 4 ye ', 4 xx , ' ff.,-' ' ' . 4+ U:- -'fiqvfw l -. ,. ' 'P W 1: 'b .. -' - -- f 1 s We ij. ff 1 S' ' , 3 t . . For valor and-courage above and beyond the call of duty as Officer-in-Charge of small boats in the USS LST 375 during the amphibious assault on the Island of Sicily, july 9-10, 1943. Realizing that a detonation of explosives would prematurely disclose to the enemy the assault about to be car- ried out and with full knowledge of the peril involved, Ensign Parle unhesitatingly risked his life to extinguish a smoke pot accidentally ignited in a boat carrying charges of high explosives, detonating fuses and ammunition. Undaunted by fire and blinding smoke, he entered the craft, quickly snuffed out a burning fuse and after failing in his desperate efforts to extinguish the fire pot, finally seized it with both hands and threw it over the side. Although he succumbed a week later from smoke and fumes inhaled, Ensign Parle,s heroic self-sacrifice prevented grave damage to the ship and personnel and insured the security of a vital mission. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his countryf' E131

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.- .Q 1..l , l EL.. M - 11 mix 'Zf. it 'AZ hz 'R '. ,i it 5.1. i lil X, IA., . p -'ak .l,.- 'J Q, .. . .llsfxrk , . , Oli Oytlge Members of the January 1944 Graduating Class: . since coming to this school. You will now take your places in the Navy, in the service of your country, and in You gentlemen of the class which this edition of the Caprtan commemorates, leave us to become commissioned Ensigns in the United States Naval Reserve+your goal so doing willjoin brave men who man our ships and stations in all parts of the world. ff .O You will come to know more clearly that the traditions of the Navy are made by Of., men, the fighting men of our Navy, the Hiron men in wooden ships,', the seafaring 1 nfien who may have been outnumbered or outgunned but never outgamed. V Those of us remaining behind will watch your careers with great interest and ' u wherever you may go you carry from myself and from my staff our sincere best ' I' ' wishes for a happy cruise, happy hunting, and a happy landing. Good luck to you all. X , , -.fe 1 ' n -Vik '. 1 r W C J. RICHARD BARRY, Captain, U. S. Nazgf, Commanding C You have completed the training prescribed by the Navy for the commission of Ensign. In so doing, you have satisfied ofhcers of the Navy of your fitness to dis- charge the duties and responsibilities now resting on you. We know that you will justify the faith we have in you, that you will earn your commission again and again whenever occasion offers. For, merely to hold to that which has been earned and to go no further-that is to go backward-for men or for nations. , I You are now in a position to contribute to history as the American Navy has made I history before. In the not too distant future, you will have the honor of being a part of that Navy which will again report to the Nation, I We have met the enemy and they are ours? :, 'W 155115. m gzqali.. ' , 7. I uf I 1522 , fr' U ,jj 3323? i ' ' ' ' nl-'w f. ,,, r ' r. gf lr - wx. y .. -.-,1-1 . ...lim-0' N.-1.7, , ,Q We-' ' ' L.g Xl'4,i'fq-:ang .M. D. FAIRCHILD Lieulenant Commander, U. S. Nazgy CRel.D Execznfive Ojfcer