Newport Navalog

Midst the peace and tranquility which they themselves helped to make possible, the 289,000 American fighting men who died in World War Two will be honored tomorrow, Memorial Day, together with the honored dead of other wars.

Now lying in scattered cemeteries all over the world, those who did not return will soon be transported back to the United States by the end of the year, to join the hero dead of America's other wars.

Tomorrow in cities all over the country, veterans of all wars will march in tribute to those of their comrades who made the Supreme Sacrifice. The almost extinct column of the Boys in Blue and Grey will be represented, as will the veterans of the Spanish-American War, and those veterans of World Wars One and Two.

In addition to ceremonies in the United States, the War Department's Grave Registration Service Commands which has jurisdiction over Naval graves as well, will hold Memorial Day services at the 356 American military cemeteries located in all parts of the world.

High-ranking American and foreign military and diplomatic figures will join in paying tribute to American war dead. In the tradition, small American flags will be placed on every grave, along with fresh flowers wherever possible.

Memorial Day, also known as Decoration Day, originated in the Southern States. It was customarily observed in the Springtime when the flowers were in bloom, and was devoted to the decorating of the graves of soldiers who died in the War Between the States. Several of the Northern States copied the custom. But on May 5, 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, at that time Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a general order to the members of his organization, appointing May 30th as the day for decorating the graves of their fallen comrades. Authorities believe Gen. Logan selected that date because it was on May 30, 1868, that the last Union volunteer was mustered out of the Service.

Memorial Day is now observed as a holiday in every State except Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. Virginia observes Confederate Memorial Day.

Memorial Day Guadalcanal