A V-J Day Letter from the Captain

The following is a letter written by then Commanding Officer William H. Groverman to his crew following the Japanese Surrender in Tokyo Bay.

I want to take this opportunity to personally commend and congratulate each individual on this ship for his part in the final victory. Admiral Denebrink has said, "Never in history have so many, who knew so little, learned so much in such a short time," and I might add- "Done so well." The nation is proud of you and what is more you should be proud of yourself and your country for having won the greatest fight for human rights in the history of mankind.

To think that this is the war to end all wars would be fooling yourselves into a false sense of security. You who will be going back to civilian life and you who will stay in the Navy must never forget that the only assurance against war is a military strength during peace that no nation can afford to challenge. There will come a time (there always has) when the Army and Navy suffer from curtailment of funds due to reductions of taxes, as we are lulled back into pacifism. As a man grows old he doesn't decrease the insurance; so in comparison, as our period of peace increases, we should not decrease the insurance of that peace by curtailing the appropriations necessary to maintain an adequate Army and Navy. No better foreign doctrine could be practiced than that expressed by President Teddy Roosevelt when he said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." The stick is what produces respect and results, so don't forget it as the thoughts of this war become just a memory.

To all hands a WELL DONE.

W. H Groverman, Commander, U. S. Navy, Commanding.