Los Banos Rotary Club History
Navy Day Speaker At Rotary Club

The U. S. Navy, at Peace and at War, was the topic of an enlightening address made to members of the local Rotary Club Tuesday noon, by Com. W. L. Harmon, attached to the Navy's General Line School at Monterey.
Calling attention to the fact that Wednesday, Oct. 27, was being observed throughout America as Navy Day, Commander Harmon declared it particularly fitting that public attention be directed toward this vital arm of our national defense at this time of troubled world conditions. He emphasized the Navy's obligation and responsibility in the protection of this country and declared that though modern warfare and weapons has changed the technical aspects of Navy ships and weapons, the Navy still remains as an all-important link in our country's armament.

He told briefly of the Navy's new officer school at Del Monte, where some 365 Navy men are now in training. Enrollment in the school, he said, will be gradually increased to about 2,600, at which level it will be stabilized.
Commander Harmon served through the first part of the war with the Atlantic Fleet and later was transferred to the Pacific area, where he was attached to Halsey's Third Fleet. He spoke briefly concerning his Pacific experiences, and the vital part taken by the Navy task forces in securing and holding America's battle lines on the long road to Tokio.

Following his talk, Commander film on the Navy at Peace, and tures, the first an educational.

Rotary President Francis Buck the second actual wartime scenes taken in the Pacific area.

The speaker was introduced by acting program chairman, C. W. Bates.
Gustine-Los Banos Rotary Club announced that there would be no regular Rotary luncheon next Tuesday because of the annual they have to have flying experience dinner at Gustine next Monday night, at which the football squads and coaches of both high schools will be guests of honor. The joint meeting will be held at the Gustine high school, starting at 6:45.

October 27, 1948

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