A fighting name for a fighting ship

Title

Language

English

Year

1943

Subject

Fighter planes.

Philippines—History—Japanese occupation, 1942-1945.

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

This is the U. S. S. Bataan, one of the newest aircraft carriers to be launched by the Navy, and the first to be named in honor of an American campaign of the present war. "A fighting name for a fighting ship,” the Bataan is, in the words of President Quezon, “a symbol of the inevitable defeat of Japan”.

Fulltext

"A FIGHTING NA~'IE FOR A FIGHTING SHIP" THIS IS rhe U. S. S. Baraan, one of the newest aircraft carriers ro be bunched by the Navy, and the first ro be named in honor of an American campaign of the present war. "A fighting name for a fighting ship," the Bataan is, in rhe words of President Quezon. "a symbol of the in· evirable defeat of Japrn". Aside from justly immortalizing the galbnt stand of Filipinos and Americans in Bataan, rhe naming of the ship Bataan points ro rhe great pride the United Stares bears for the heroism dispbyed by Americans and Filipinos in rhe Battle of tl1e Philippines. "No ship bears a more illustrious name," said rhe Sec· rerary of the Navy Frank Knox in his message ro President Quezon informing him of the new warship's launching at the yards of the New York Shipbuilding Corpora· tion in Camden, New Jersey. "The U. S. S. Bmaan com· mernorares a campaign that has become a symbol of the fortitude and endurance of free men in rhe face of over· whelming odds. Ir has a rendezvous with destiny that shall nor be denied. I know that you and your brave people will join with all Americans in wishing the Bataan and the men who will sail in her Godspeed and good hunting." Ar the time of rhe launching, on the afternoon of August lsr, President Quezon was resting in a vacation resort in the Adirondacks. Although unable to attend the ceremonies, his reply to Secretary Knox was released simul· taneously with the launching. He wrote: "I am delighted to learn of the launching of the United States aircrafr carrier Bataan. The valor of the American and Filipino fighting men who battled through the long months on Bataan will serve as an inspiration ro the men of this fine new ship. To the people of the Philippines, who live only for rhe day of vicrory and liberation, the Bataan will be a symbol of the inevitable defeat of Japan. Our fighting comradeship was sealed in the foxholes of Bataan, and hallowed forever in the shallow graves of that blood-stained bit of land. Today our beam go with the men who built this ship, with the sailors who will man her, and wirb the aviarors who will rake off from her flight be cashed by the depositor for the duration, except in ex· rreme cases of emergency. Ir is dear thar the Philippine government aims, through this plan, to enable Filipinos to invest their savings in the new Philippine Republic. After the war, great opportunities for agricultural and industrial development will be open to all, especially to those who had taken advantage of these days of high wages and profitable labor, and had invested their savings in war bonds, deposited with the Philippine Government. The Filipinos here and in Hawaii can well use to advantage their experience and training in profitable investments in the Philippines and with rhe encouragement and cooperation of the Philippine government, the needed capital for such future investments is assured. AUGUST 31, 1943 deck. Jn the name of rhe Filipino people, I extend ro all of them my most fervent wishes for good fortune and speedy victory." Owing ro wartime resrrictions, rhe ceremony of the launching of rhe aircraft carrier was witnessed by a small group of Navy officers and shipyard officials in addirion ro the honor guests, Vice-President Sergio Osmeiia and Colonel Manuel Nieto, military aide ro President Quezon, and Miss Maria Osmeiia, rhe Vice-President's daughter. The sponsor was Mrs. George D. Murray, wife of rhe rear admiral commanding the Naval Air Training Center at Pensacola, Florida. The plan is very timely and fills a viral need in Filipino communities. Filipinos are now receiving high wages. Through this plan the Philippine Government rakes upon itself the responsibiliry of guiding them in conserving their earnings. The plan nor only affords the Filipinos the opportunity of helping the United Stares in rbe successful prosecution of the war by buying U. S. W ar Bonds, bur also encourages them ro lay rhe foundation of their economic se· curiry in the Philippines after the war. Derails of the plan are being arranged with Philip· pine Government authorities in Washington, and it is ex· peered that the plan will be in full operation sometime in September this year. (Continued on page 6) 3

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