HISTORY OF THE NORFOLK NAVY YARD IN WORLD WAR II
By
Arthur Sydnor Barksdale, Jr.
Lieutenant Commander, USNR
Portsmouth, VA 1945
Table of Contents
(Continued)
Chapter XXI: The Co-op
Chapter XXII: The Five-Starred Flag
War Bonds and the Man-Behind-the-Man-Behind-the-Gun
United War Fund
Gygax First Citizen
The Army-Navy "E"
APPENDIX D:
Vessels Built in Norfolk Navy Yard (prior to WWII) p322
APPENDIX E: Commandants, Complete List p323 & p324
APPENDIX F: Shops and Masters, p325 & p326
APPENDIX G: Presidents of Metal Trades Council, p327
* * * * * * * * * *
XXI. THE CO-OP
One of the vital factors in the operation of an industrial establishment is the food service. In the Norfolk Navy Yard this service is handled by the Cooperative Association.
The association had its beginning about 1912 when a small group of employees, realizing the need of more adequate eating facilities in the Yard, got together and issued stock certificates which were sold to employees at $1.00 each. Funds thus obtained made it possible to buy stoves, refrigeration, and sufficient food stuffs to make a start. Purchasers of the certificates later on were given the preference of redeeming their certificates at the original cost and most of them took advantage of this.
The establishment thus created was called the Cooperative Restaurant. It was strictly a non-profit organization, and as funds accumulated they were put back into the business, any surplus money being used for recreational and social purposes in the Yard.
The establishment continued to operate in this form until 1935, when Admiral Freeman, Commandant at the time, combined all the catering and general welfare activities of the Yard under the Board of Directors who governed the Cooperative Restaurant, changing its name to the Norfolk Navy Yard Cooperative Association.
As constituted during the war, the Association is composed of the entire Yard personnel. It functions under the direct supervision and control of the Commandant of the Yard and conforms in all other respects with a directive from the Navy Department prescribing the type of organization the department desires at its field establishments. (AstSecNav ltr SOSED-1E-WEB/br, 15 July 1943).
The Association is managed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Commandant. This board consists of fifteen members, three of them being officers on duty in the Yard, namely, the Personnel Relations Officer, the Senior Assistant to the Supply Officer, and the Food Service Officer.35 The other twelve members are civilian employees normally including one or more shop masters. The civilian members are selected so as to give the widest possible representation to the Yard as a whole
35 See also His. Memo Employee Services; Co-op Notes, A12(3).
During the war this board operated six large cafeterias and some fifty-three canteens located at different points throughout the Yard so as to afford ready access to the working forces in the various shops and offices. Meals are prepared in the cafeterias, supplies being delivered by truck from a central distributing point to the different cafeterias and canteens. This distributing point has refrigerated and dry storage area.
In September 1939 the Cooperative Association had operating in the Yard about forty small canteens selling snacks, such as candy, pop, cigars, cookies, milk and sandwiches, and three restaurants on the cafeteria style offering regular meals to the employees.
These canteens and cafeteria units were located according to the working population, one restaurant in Building 32, one in Building 72 and one in Building 265.
With the advent of war and the increase in employment, it became apparent that more cafeterias were needed. One completely new cafeteria was built for the St. Helena side of the river and began operating in 1943.
It became apparent that three cafeterias were not sufficient for the Yard proper and it was decided to convert the top floor south end of Building 298 into a restaurant and by March of 1944 this unit was in operation.
One end of Building 424 in the Supply area of the Yard was converted into a cafeteria and began operation in the fall of 1944.
It was then decided by the Cooperative Board of Directors that the then present six cafeterias and fifty canteens needed to be supplemented by another type of service
Subsequently an additional type of service was begun. One of the regular 12x13 feet canteen buildings was converted to the sale of hot foods such as hot soup, hot stew, hot coffee, sandwiches and milk, cakes and pies. The food was kept hot by means of warming ovens. This type of operation was successful and it was decided to build a larger building for this type of operation and make it permanent. A 20x40 foot size building was built at the head of the buildingways for this hot food service. This type of operation was put into effect in the latter part of 1944 and proved successful. Two more smaller type hot food stations were then opened at other strategic points.
The Association all through the war was operated under the Office of Price Administration regulations governing prices and food rationing and these regulations were strictly adhered to.
As the principal civilian agency catering to the general welfare of the Yard's employees, the Association was called upon to help solve the many and varied feeding and other problems of the employees arising from war-time conditions. At the peak of the Yard's employment, the Association catered to some 43,000 employees not only fulfilling its primary purpose of serving warm wholesome meals to Yard workers but furnishing them social and recreational facilities both in the Yard and the neighboring communities.
Organized on a non-profit basis to sell food at low prices to employees, the Co-op actually succeeded in producing a very substantial volume of profit, portions of which from time to time have been devoted to the support of many worthwhile projects for the general welfare of the Navy Yard employees.
XXII. THE FIVE-STARRED FLAG
War Bonds and the Man-Behind-the-Man-Behind-the-Gun
The growth of the Norfolk Navy Yard has been recounted, its problems discussed, and its productive achievement a record that speaks for itself set forth. It remains only to point to the final contribution which Nary Yard workers made to the total war effort, the "man-behind-the-man-behind-the-gun" spirit with which certainly the majority supported community and home front activities vital to the war's success.
An outstanding example of this support is found in the enviable record which the Yard set in the purchase of war bonds, Navy Yard employees purchasing bonds during the war totaling more that 56 million dollars in value.
Total sales from October 1941 through August 1945 were as follows:
For cash Payroll Savings Total Sales (This total represents purchases value, not maturity value.)
The Yard's War Bond Office opened for cash business on October 15, 1941 (His. Memo, War Bonds, A12(3)), with "defense bonds" offered for sale in the months prior to Pearl Harbor. Payroll sales commenced in January 1942.
The sale of bonds was handled by an officer designated as Issuing Agent attached to the Accounting Department. Promotion was handled as additional duty by the Public Relations Officer until December 1944 when a full-time bond promotion officer was assigned. This officer functioned until August 1945, directing the campaign for the Independence Day sale in 1945. Upon his departure the promotional aspects of bond selling were handled by the district bond officer.
The Yard won the Secretary of the Navy's War Bond Flag for the first time in January 1943 on the basis of November and December 1942 figures. The flag was awarded for 90% employee participation and purchases amounting to 10% of the payroll, these figures to be maintained for two consecutive months. With the exception of January 1945, the Yard did not drop below 90% participation throughout the war. The flag was retained continuously.
Under-Secretary of the Navy, James V. Forrestal, presented the War Bond Flag after its first award to the Yard. A fitting ceremony was held for the occasion with hundreds of Yard workers attending to see the flag presentation on January 15, 1943.
The payroll savings plan was pushed by the Yard throughout the war, and, of course, accounted for the largest volume of sales. But special cash drives were conducted semiannually on Pearl Harbor Day and Independence Day beginning on December 7, 1942.
In these special cash drives, the Norfolk Navy Yard always ranked among the first three yards in competition. In December 1944 the Norfolk Navy Yard led all other Naval establishments.
The biggest cash drive was put on for Independence Day 1945. Sales for that day totaled $2,639,922.25. The Yard again topped all continental naval establishments, but on a per capita basis ranked second to the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard. Norfolk's average was $76.65 per employee; Pearl Harbor's per capita was $78.45.
United War Fund
In still another supporting activity of the war effort, the United War Fund drives, Navy Yard workers set an outstanding record. Their response throughout the war years to the community's call for assistance in its civic and charitable organizations' campaign was a high spot in Yard-community relations. In each of the war years, United War Fund Drives were staged in the Yard.
The following table lists the total raised in each campaign.36
4/15/42 to 6/24/42 2/3/42 to 2/22/43 2/2/44 to 7/5/44 2/1/45 to 2/8/45 Total to 7//5/45 36 Figures taken from Nynor Newspaper, Speed Victory
Distribution of the War Fund was based upon a prearranged basis as follows: (Cdt.Bulletin 11.45, 1 July 1945, LL/L22(2)"B").
"Distribution of the War Fund was made based upon the prearranged basis of 56% to Community Chest, 27½% to the American National Red Cross, 10% to the National War Fund, 3½% to the Navy Relief Society and 3% to the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The allocations to local communities for the distribution of Community Chest, National War Fund and National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis Foundation was 74.8% to Portsmouth, 24.4% to Norfolk and .8% to Newport News in accordance with the expressed desires of individual contributors."
The United War Fund Drives were the only fund raising campaigns put on in the Yard during the war. The needs of all organizations were combined, thus relieving the personnel of the Navy Yard of the necessity of contributing to many different campaigns. The goal of the drive was usually set at an individual contribution of one day's pay from each employee. The drives were characterized by excellent organization and generally required little more than a week for their completion.
Said Admiral Jones of the 1945 campaign, "It was indeed a job generously and well done." This statement applied equally to each of the four campaigns.
Gygax First Citizen
Further indicative of the close relationship between the Navy Yard and the City of Portsmouth and the important role played by the Yard Management in the City's life is the fact that because of his keen interest in civic affairs the Commandant, Rear Admiral Felix X. Gygax was selected as "First Citizen of Portsmouth, Virginia" for the year 1943.
Throughout the difficult war years, Admiral Gygax, as did his predecessor Admiral Simons and his successor Admiral Jones, took an aggressive part in many civic enterprises. Presented with a medal at a banquet on March 16, 1944, sponsored by the Portsmouth Lodge 898, Loyal Order of Moose, Admiral Gygax received a citation which read as follows:
"Civic interest and effort far beyond the call of duty of his office. The participation in Portsmouth's welfare and that of its environs embraces along with constant interest in the daily life of the community, the following: Vital sponsorship of the Community Chest; essential support of American Red Cross; active interest in the present and future housing situation; cooperation in the vital transportation situation; a good citizen's interest in all local civic associations; valuable contributions to local Boy Scout activity; close cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce; sympathetic cooperation with the City Government. These are but the high spots in a high level of civic endeavor, practically none of which, with the exceptions of housing and transportation, is necessary to the conduct of the Navy Yard or his success as Commandant in the eyes in the eyes of his superior officers. Because Admiral Gygax is an unqualified success in his position and is subject to transfer at any time, it is urged that Portsmouth show its appreciation to him now before it is too late.
"Admiral Felix X. Gygax was the outstanding citizen of our community in 1943 and has done more for the civic and cultural advancement than any of our citizens. He has given unstintingly of his time and service and has always cooperated whole-heartedly in any movement for the benefit of Portsmouth and immediate vicinity. His outstanding achievement was taking personal charge of the community Chest Campaign in the Navy Yard and raising $100,000 for Portsmouth's share. Prior to his coming to our Navy Yard no solicitations for Community Chest were even allowed in the Yard.
"Through his genuine and very human interest in matters pertaining to the public welfare, he has cemented a friendship between the Naval establishment and the Civil population of our city that should be hard to break in the years to come. Through his intense efforts it has been possible to raise hitherto unheard of funds for the Portsmouth Community Chest and other worthy causes. As commandant of one of the world's largest naval establishments, he had handled this mammoth assignment with such a degree of personal and organizational efficiency as to make the task appear easy which is an indication of the greatness of the man.
"Admiral Gygax is recognized by the entire community as a powerful influence in the life of the city. Without hesitation he has given his services and time to every worthy cause that has been present to him. His original effort in establishing the revived Community Chest was outstanding and his continued support assures it success on the most economical arrangement possible."
The award of the First Citizen Medal to Admiral Gygax marked the first time that a naval officer had been so honored in Portsmouth.
The Army-Navy "E"
In his message to the employees of the Norfolk Navy Yard following Pearl Harbor (CO 74/41), Admiral Gygax had set the task which lay ahead in the following words:
"The Norfolk Navy Yard has the responsibility of keeping in the highest possible state of material effectiveness the ship of the Fleet sent here for routine overhaul, emergency repairs, or alteration to improve their fighting characteristics. The Fleet must be strengthened by new units which require a maximum effort in our new construction program . . . many unexpected demands will be made upon us and we must meet them."
The manner in which the great task was met is well illustrated by the fact that between Pearl Harbor and V-J Day, the Norfolk Navy Yard won the Army-Navy "E" for Excellence six consecutive times.
The first of these, the Navy "E" pennant, was awarded by the Secretary of the Navy on February 2, 1942, "in recognition of outstanding results in the production of ships vital to our war effort." The "E" pennant, along with the Bureau of Ships flag, was hoisted on February 13, 1942, on the shipbuilding ways abreast the bow of the ALABAMA. The pennant was thereafter displayed from the flag pole at the Fourth Street gate, and employees were entitled, because of the award, (CC 19/42) to wear "E" lapel buttons.
A second "E" award was won in August 1942 at which time the new Army-Navy joint "E" pennant, replacing the Navy "E" pennant, was received by the Yard, and hoisted on September 29, 1942. Thereafter the Yard won the "E" award four more time in recognition of its outstanding achievements.
The sixth award which carried with it the privilege of flying the Army-Navy "E" pennant with five stars added, came in March 1945, and because of the distinction which the Yard had thus earned, the Commandant, Admiral Jones, arranged a special ceremony to mark the occasion. Previously each renewal of the "E" had been attended by only a simple flag-raising (Cdt. ltr Chairman Board Production Awards 28 April 1945, P15(119)).
The sixth "E" ceremony was held on April 28, 1945. Rear Admiral Wat T. Clucerius, USN, (Ret.), a member of the Navy's Production Award Board and a former Commandant of the Yard, presented the banner. Said he in a speech to thousands of Yard workmen excused from their tasks to attend the colorful event (Speed Victory, 3 May 1945), "The men who serve in the Fleet are grateful to you for the ships and material you have sent them. The Navy is appreciative of the great job you are doing." The Yard itself he characterized as the "finest under the flag."
Receiving the pennant, Admiral Jones pledged the Yard to "Carry on," and the ceremony was climaxed with the hoisting aloft of the five-starred flag.
Thus recognition was given to the fact that the task which Admiral Gygax had set for the Norfolk Navy Yard in the dark days after Pearl Harbor had been carried out in accordance with the high standards of the U. S. Naval service. The Yard had built ships and built them well; it had repaired ships and returned them to the Fleet in record time, better ships than they were before. Flying from the flag pole at the Navy Yard's main gate, the five-starred Army-Navy "E" pennant was truly evidence of a job "Well Done."
APPENDIX D: Vessels Built in Norfolk Navy Yard (prior to WWII) p322
APPENDIX E: Commandants, Complete List p323 & p324
APPENDIX F: Shops and Masters, p325 & p326
APPENDIX G: Presidents of Metal Trades Council, p327THE END
