Letter to the Editor: Harry Patton Salutes U.S. Navy Day

To:  All naval commands–all ships at sea.
From:  Ensign (Senior Grade) ‘Paddles’ Patton, C.O. CINCPACORC (Forward Area).
Subject:  Reinstituting U. S. Navy Day Honors.
Priority:  FLASH message.
Security Classification:  DBR – (Destroy Before Reading).

This command reminds recipients that Navy Day, always Oct. 27, was instituted some 100 years ago, and was respectfully observed for many decades.  Some time in the past, when New Age and paisley skirts overtook logic, the observation disappeared into limbo.  As a respected annual milestone, we highly suggest Navy Day be properly reinstituted.

Therefore, promptly at high noon on Oct. 27th this command (1) will fire one shot from the famous Patton cannon on the berm, out into Rosario Strait, automatically launching my air group of 26 seagulls, six crows and two eagles (high cover), into the San Juan sky!   I will stand by in a yellow shirt with my (1945) LSO paddles, and recover them, many earning an ‘OK 3!’ on the floating kelps.  (2):  Then, rendering proper honors, this command will open a chilled Guinness Stout, raise it in salute to the
United States Navy, and for all that they have done, toast the Service, and quaff the foamy mead…..

As you recall, 64 years earlier, on Oct. 27, 1945, Navy Day, many of you addressees and I stood on the flight deck of
USS Independence (CVL-22), tied to the pier at Portland, Oregon.  We had just pulled in from a WestPac tour, immediately following the end of World War Two.  More than 3000 local civilians stormed aboard to see the famous ship and all gave us a hearty ‘welcome home.’  It was great to be back.  F6F Grumman Hellcat Fox 12, (the ‘hangar queen’), with the Carrier Airgroup 21 insignia on the tail, was the only aircraft topside.  By 5:00 p.m. it was completely covered with hundreds of names and phone numbers, scrawled in heavy lipstick!

It is highly suggested you join me, on Oct. 27, from your various locations throughout the United States, in raising a toast to our brothers, past and present, for what they have done, and are doing today.

Regards,

Uncle Harry
Harry Patton