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A Brief History of the United States Naval Academy

1910's

1840's 1850's 1860's 1870"s 1880's 1890's 1900's 1910's 1920's 1930's 1940's 1950's 1960's 1970's 1980's 1990's 2000's

Lt. John Rodgers Making Flight in Wright Brothers Bi-Plane, 1911-click for larger image


Leaving for Summer Cruise, approx. 1911-click for larger image


The REINA MERCEDES-click for larger image

 

 

1910

The Naval Academy football team is undefeated and unscored on. Thomas Starr King II, team captain, misses part of season with typhoid fever. He will be one of 29 midshipmen with this disease. The need for a safe milk supply will be the reason for establishing the Naval Academy Dairy.


1911

First naval aerodrome established at Greenbury Point and experimental flights tried at USNA. In 1913 it is moved to Pensacola, Florida.

May 15, 1911

Captain John H. Gibbons becomes superintendent.


September 7, 1911

LT John Rodgers makes the first flight from USNA.


1912

Congress approves commissioning graduates on graduation day and ends previously required two year sea service as passed midshipmen.


June, 1912

Graduation hat toss tradition begins.


September 30, 1912

Former Spanish cruiser USS Reina Mercedes arrives as station ship to replace USS Santee.

January 26, 1913

John Paul Jones is laid to rest in crypt of the chapel

February 1, 1913

The U. S. Naval Postgraduate School is established at Annapolis, Maryland. The Marine Barracks building in which the school is located will be named Halligan Hall in honor of the school's first director, Commander John Halligan, Jr.


February 7, 1914

Captain William F. Fullam becomes superintendent.


September 20, 1915

Captain Edward W. Eberle becomes superintendent.

1917

The Academy undertakes the indoctrination of 2,569 men for commissioning in the U. S. Naval Reserve Force.

Two new wings, 3 & 4, are added to Bancroft Hall.


March 29, 1917

The class of 1917 graduates, two months early. A similar pattern of early graduation will be established in World War II, with the class of 1941 graduating in February vice June.

April 6, 1917

U.S. enters WWI. By order of thc superintendent the following message is published and posted at evening roll call: "Sixteen ALNAV -- The President has signed Act of Congress which declares that a state of war exists between the United States and Germany."


February 12, 1917

Captain Archibald H. Scales becomes superintendent.


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