VOLUME VII, Number 6 ADAK SUN
5 February 1962
COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION DESERVE S'WELL DONE FOR IT'S WORK
On Adak the constant flow of communications keep us in contact with the outside
world. Besides official traffic-the Communications Division insures that we are
apprised of emergency situations at home within hours instead of days and through
communications the lower *48 or the world of which Adak is a small part is just
a dah-dit-dah away.
The men of the Communications Division are on duty 24 hours a day and the Radio-?
men who are the watchstanders work many an hour over the 40 hour week that may be
the standard in *the lower ’48. Their 'Can Do* and ’Know How* keep Adak alerted to
any dangers and developments which might affect the free world.
^ Naval Communications are as old as navies, but U.S. Naval Communications can
P claim considerable age in 1962 even though the Radiomen on Adak are generally much
■ younger.
The Navy's first signal book, published in 1797 and written by Captain Thomas
Truxton, predates the Department of the Navy by one year. Officially adopted, and
promulgating U.S. Navy signals, the Truxton book remained unrevised for five years.
In 1802, Commodore John Barry, USN, revised the Truxton book with the assistance of
Captain James Barron, USN. In 1813 the Truxton-Barry-Barron signal book underwent
a second revision, and in 1858, a third revision, which included for the first time
: signals for movements under steam. The Truxton-Barry-Barron No\y Department signal
book carried on from the last year of President Washington's Administration to the
second year of the Civil. War, 65 years.
This year (1962) Naval Communications can claim more than one distinction,incl
uding a Golden Anniversary, with the commencement of modern communications require
ments under the impetus of radio's impact, with the establishment in 1912 of the
Naval Radio Service by Navy General Order. If Year One for Naval Communications is
1824, when the Secretary of the Navy assigned responsibility for Naval Communicat*
P ions to the Board of Commissioners, Naval Communications, Naval Communications is
• 138 years old. However, if Year One for Naval Communications commences with Capt
ain Truxton's signal book, as well it could, U. S. Naval Communications in 1962 is
165 years young.
If you go back 165 yeajs the dah-dit would be absent in the signal book and by
doing that and remembering sailing ships ahd the days of yore when no radio would
; be available to turn to if your ship or plane was in distress and you come back
fast to the reality of modern day communications where you know that the Radio Op
' erator on board ships of all countries justify their importance in the Ship's Grg-?
anization by the element of contact with the outside world in everyday routine or
moments of distress.
Think of a cruise in the Antarctic or even the cold waters to the north of us in
the Arctic ocean and the Bering Sea without communications. Think of having to
rely on mail by ship or even plane to know the news of an emergency situation at
home or a change in the world situation which affects every one of us and I believe
you'll agree with me, that in this, a year when U.S. Naval Communications can clair>
considerable age, it is only fitting that an Adak WELL DOE be written.’
1 TO THE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION & ALL COMMUNICATORS EVERYWHERE,
FCR WHAT IT'S WCRTH - AN ADAK SUN WELL DONE