LETTERS

THIRD WORLD DETERRENCE?

Mr. David Evans of the Chicago Tribune raises some intriguing points in his recent letter on Third World Deterrence (July 1990 REVIEW). However, it is my impression that the Navy bas no need whatsoever for a ” … new lightweight. single warhead (ballistic) missile” in order to respond to “the sinister machinations of Third World dictators.”

This role is filled by the TO MAliA WK. Land Attack Missile (TLAM). Cruise missiles offer a more effective means of dealing with a Third World threat in that they are more accurate than ballistic missiles, they’re dual capable (i.e., they can carry either nuclear or conventional ordnance), and they are carried by a number of different platforms (specifically . SSNs ). This latter point is essential in preserving the security of our SSBN force.

TLAMs are already in the arsenal, so no costly development program for a new missile is necessary. Also, their dualpurpose capability provides the operational flexibility vital to our national command authority when dealing with Third World threats.

Shane D. Deichman
Naval Ocean Systems Center

THE BRONZE STAR

I am a Marine Infantryman with thirty-seven months in combat I was awarded a Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device (V) for individual valor in combat I am aware that the Bronze Star can also be awarded for Meritorious Service but the various service Commendation Medals or the Meritorious Service Medal are now considered the appropriate recognition for iadividual meritorious service.

Bud Gruner’s assertion that those awarded the Combat Infantrymen’s Badge also receive the Bronze Star is WRONG. The Army might have watered down the Combat Infantry Badge’s status by reducing the 3Q.day requirement of World War ll, Korea and VietNam in order to award the device to those who participated in Grenada and Panama. It also appears as if the requirement for combat in an infantry unit could be relaxed to allow, what are normally not considered combat arms, to qualify for the Combat Infantryman’s Badge but the Bronze Star has not yet been turned into a Unit Award or Campaign Medal! It’s bad enough one service routinely gave out the Purple Heart for the simple act of ejection from an aircraft during Viet Nam. For what was, in retrospect, an extremely low cost operation against what, in most wars, would be considered light and scattered resistance, another service virtually rained down personal decorations on an inordinately large percentage of its participants at Grenada. The Bronze Star is an individual award. It was never meant to be a campaign medal or unit award. Combat Action Ribbons, Submarine Combat Pins and Combat Infantry Badges, and the like, are the appropriate recognition for individual participation in group service in an activity that is recognized as above the norm in danger or difficulty. Only a small proportion of the Marine Infantrymen who wear the Combat Action Ribbon or Army Infantrymen who wear the Combat Infantry Badge also wear Bronze Stars.

As a Reconnaissance Marine, I have served aboard five submarines, although admittedly not in combat. My brother is a career submariner. I can understand the desire for recognition of what is service out of the ordinary. I cannot condone it though if it entails further cheapening of what was once a highly prized and honored award.

LTCOL William J. Tehan, III, USMC

SUB SCHOOL SIGN

PLEASE HELP! During WWll the main entry of the Submarine School had a sign quoting from Pericles’ speech to the Athenians prior to the Peloponesian Wars. The Submarine School no longer bas that sign nor its exact wording. However, with research, they identified the source. It came from Thucydides’ “History of the Peloponesian Wars, Book 1, Section 142”

Pericles was addressing the Athenians concerning the Athenian Navy’s ability to keep the Spartan Navy bottled up in their home port such that the Spartans would be unable to practice the art of naval warfare. Pericles then said something like this:

Their lack of practice will make them unskilled, and their lack of skill will make them timid in battle. rve seen various translations of this passage. None of them seem to be the exact words that made such a life-long impression on me. Perhaps the School paraphrased some translation. Even so, I have a need for the School’s words.

If you have papers or photos from the Submarine Schoot’s WWII years, please see if you have the exact wording the School used. If you find it, I would deeply appreciate receiving a copy.

Many thanks for your help!

CAPT William A. Whitman, USN(Ret.)
9815 21st Ave. N.W.
Seattle, WA 98117
(206) 782-8278

NEW VINSON HALL FACILITY

Vice Admiral Charles H. Griffiths, USN(Rel), President of the Navy Marine Coast Guard Residence Foundation, announced that the Foundation is naming its new extended care facility in McLean, Virginia in honor of Admiral Arleigh Burke.

The Arleigh Burke Pavilion is the Foundation’s way of saying thank you to Admiral Burke for his years of dedication to VIIISon Hall, the Foundation’s residentilll retirement home for sea service officers. Admiral Burke, one of the Foundation’s early benefactors, was instnunental in obtaining the land upon which VIIISon Hall is built and raising the initial contributions for its constmction, Admiral Griffiths stated.

The Arleigh Burke Pavilion, a handsome two-story building which will serve 100 residents, is now being built on the property adjacent to Vinson Hall and is scheduled to open in February, 1991.

The Pavilion, like Vinson Hall, will be a place where those who have given so much to their country can live in dignity, security and friendship among friends and former comrades. Navy Marine Coast Guard Raidence Foundation.