United States Merchant Marine Academy - Midships Yearbook (Kings Point, NY)

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VICE ADMIRAL EMORY SCOTT LAND, USN, (Ret.)

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“0T uc 2f he United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, Long Island, New ork is a momentous forward stride in the nation s planned program of maritime progress. Not since enactment by the Congress of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 has there been an event of greater importance to America’s world commerce—either in maintenance of our wartime lifelines or our future peacetime economy. The Academy serves the Merchant Marine as West Point serves the Army and Annapolis serves the Navy. ar has proved to the American people that a strong Merchant Marine, manned by courageous, capable, well-trained officers and crews, is as necessary to the nation as a powerful Army and Navy. This Academy, a fitting monument to those past generations who have handed down so noble a heritage, will spur on present and future generations of our men of the sea to even greater achievement. It will equip them to he skilled navigators and engineers, worthy of the great vessels they will sail—men of whom all Americans will be proud. To them and their ships our people pledge their confidence and support to the end that the American Merchant Marine shall truly befit a nation of our Stature. (Part of letter to Admiral E S. Land September 8, 1943)

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t e ty lem c vi t e fjya ctuctttinfj C ciU . . . This yearbook of the United States Merchant Marine Academy is indicative of the progress which has been made in our country in developing the finest Merchant Marine in the world. W hen, in 1938, the L nited States Maritime Commission established the L nited States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps, it was with tlie pur- pose of training sound professional merchant officers. We no longer need depend on words to indicate the progress made. The United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps through its Cadet-Midshipmen and graduates has shown by actions that our future Merchant Marine will he staffed with officers thoroughly trained in the traditions of our merchant fleet and in the best modern operational practices. This is indeed the commencement of new and greater achievements for each graduate in a world that will look to our country for assist- ance for many years to come. All of you should he ambassadors of good will when your ships visit foreign ports. As officers in American vessels, remember well the principle of loyalty, leadership, and integrity given you by the Academy. our horizon is limitless if you will keep your objective and continue to study and to work hard in your chosen profession. I wish you every success and good fortune. VICE ADMIRAL, USN, (Ret.) Administrator, War Shipping Administration Chairman, United States Maritime Commission II