The Evening Star (September 4, 1945)
U.S. can be victim of war devastation, Leahy warns in talk
YANKTON, South Dakota (AP) – Warning that the devastation of the war could be repeated in this country, Fleet Adm. William D. Leahy said yesterday that “no single effort must be spared to prevent such a catastrophe from taking place again, either here or there.”
Speaking at the annual Midwest Farmer Day program sponsored by Radio Station WNAX and Yankton civic and business organizations, the naval chief of staff described the Nazi and Fascist movements as “a doctrine borrowed from the dark pages of history.”
Private awarded Navy Cross
“We know today that we are unable to sit idly and safely by while world wars rage on the opposite sides of our protecting oceans,” he said.
Despite successful completion of the global war, Adm. Leahy said, “in one particular we remain isolationist – in our primary devotion to the interests and welfare of America.”
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Howard of Waterloo, Iowa, parents of Marine Pfc. Stanley L. Howard, heard Adm. Leahy announce the posthumous award of the Navy Cross to their 18-year-old son for heroic service on Saipan. Pvt. Howard took over an American machine-gun position after the gun crew was disabled. in addition to carrying wounded to safety. He was killed in subsequent action.
Rear Adm. Joseph James Clark praised the role of aircraft carriers in the war with Japan.
Join Sioux in dance
Adm. Leahy, whose agile steps masked his 70 years, joined in a dance with Sioux Indians, who gave him a Sioux name meaning “Leading Eagle.” Adm. Clark was the first to join the dance. Adm. Leahy watched Adm. Clark, who is part Cherokee, and then joined in himself.
To Adm. Clark, the Indians gave the tribal name of “Thunderbird,” while Rear Adm. Harold B. Miller was dubbed “Flying Charger.” Also made an honorary Sioux chief was Gardner Cowles, Des Moines (Iowa) president of WNAX Broadcasting Co., which sponsored the celebration. Mr. Cowles’ Sioux name is “North Star.”