Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award

This isn't strictly correct, because it has been the policy to rotate eligibility for the award annually among the various type commands (aircraft carriers, submarines, amphibious ships, etc.).

It was initiated by a contribution which accompanied the following letter, printed on February 4, 1916: "To the Editor of the New York Tribune "Dear Sir: "I read in your paper every morning a lot about preparedness.

I am a true blue American and I want to see Uncle Sam prepared to lick all creation like John Paul Jones did.

Former president Theodore Roosevelt responded immediately with a handwritten letter and a dollar contribution; within a few days he met with Marjorie in Manhattan.

A law was soon enacted allowing the Navy Department to accept the money, and by early 1918 the $20,000 (US$405,133 today) had been transferred to the government.

[1] Since the end of World War II, the Navy has emphasized readiness and fitness of the ship rather than competition between individual departments.