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

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. . THE SEVEN SEAS FOR A CAMPUS . . . We Cadet-Midshipmen have been most for- tunate. While pursuing the studies and gaining the experience necessary for our chosen pro- fession. we saw many strange places, and the ways of many peoples, of which we had read and heard. We saw them against the vivid background of a world at war . . . The Persian Gulf, Casablanca, London, Murmansk, the Solomons, and many others, large and snjall. Some ports were blackened by bombs, some the battlegrounds of bitterly-locked armies. Some ports were untouched, seemingly far removed from the violence of war. To these places we came, delivered our cargoes, and sailed on. Places on the map we never knew existed became as familiar as our neighboring cities at home. While this panorama of the world was un- folding. the pages of our sea projects grew thicker and thicker. Until at last properly supplied with the practical background, we came ashore for the final wind-up, the nine months of advanced academic training at the Academy. Now the long haul is completed. With our licenses and commissions, and proud- ly displaying our diplomas, we go forth again. Older and wiser, with more ports to make, more things to learn, more ships to sail and vital cargoes to carry, ready to pit our training against the sea and the enemy who would drive us from it. The seven seas, our campus and proving ground, is now our domain.

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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

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