Naval Academy Parents Club of North Texas

"It is by no means enough that an officer of the Navy should be a capable mariner. He must be that, of course, but also a great deal more. He should be as well a gentleman of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of personal honor.

He should be the soul of tact, patience, justice, firmness, and charity. No meritorious act of a subordinate should escape his attention or be left to pass without its reward, even if the reward is only a word of approval. Conversely, he should not be blind to a single fault in any subordinate, though at the same time, he should be quick and unfailing to distinguish error from malice, thoughtlessness from incompetency, and well meant shortcoming from heedless or stupid blunder."

-Based on the letters of John Paul Jones-

"There is a tradition in the sea-going profession, a tradition of the sea that is older than the traditions of our great country. It is a tradition that is as well founded as the customs of law and justice which have been the pillars of modem civilization. The tradition of which I speak is the tradition of moral accountability. At sea, men face the elements as equals before the laws of nature. The sea has taught men for centuries that in times of peril there is no place to hide. A ship is only as stout as the stout-hearted men who man her and in times of danger, every last man aboard is held to ultimate account for his part in bringing the ship through storm and siege.

This is the philosophy of the Navy. It is the time-honored tradition of men who must meet the challenge of the sea. It is the philosophy inherited by the United States from those who have braved the seas to find freedom and fulfillment, and it must be your philosophy as Americans, if you are to serve the large purposes of free men on earth."

-From the Baccalaureate Address to the Class of l959 by Adm. Arleigh Burke-

I am an American. I serve in the forces which guard my country & our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape & aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

"When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies

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