Johnston, William Davison

William Davison Johnston addresses the annual dinner of the Theodore Roosevelt Association on October 24, 1986, on the eve of the commissioning of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. He notes the many Roosevelt family members in attendance and closes his remarks by reading a passage from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “The Building of the Ship.” A photograph of Johnston shaking hands with Captain Paul W. Parcells, Commanding Officer of Theodore Roosevelt, supplements the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1986-10-24

Creator(s)

Johnston, William Davison

William Davison Johnston reviews Theodore Roosevelt’s history with the United States Navy, covers some of his diplomatic achievements, and quotes from Roosevelt on the navy, his record as president, and on the obligations of Americans.

A photograph of Johnston speaking at the launch and one of Roosevelt with a naval officer, without an explanatory caption, accompany the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1984-10-27

William Davison Johnston, President of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA), explains that the commissioning of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt will be funded and overseen by the TRA. Johnston details the many components of the commissioning, including providing commemorative gifts for the crew, supplying the ship and its crew with books, movies, and athletic equipment, and aiding in the design and outfitting of an onboard museum devoted to Theodore Roosevelt. Johnston lists the members of the commissioning committee as well as the heads of the five subcommittees, and he notes that the TRA has rented space solely to manage the many aspects of the commissioning scheduled for October 27, 1986.

The article includes a column “Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Facts and Figures” that lists forty different aspects about the ship such as her length, and it also includes a listing of the officers of the TRA as well as the members of its executive committee. Photographs of the carrier and of Roosevelt appear in the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1986

William Davison Johnston provides a detailed report on the building of an elaborate playground in Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay, New York. Johnston gives a history of the park, describes the work of designer Robert Leathers, and lists the many groups, organizations, and individuals who volunteered to build the new playground. Johnston discusses the complex logistics of building the playground entirely with volunteers in four days.

Six photographs of the playground under construction and one of the dedication ceremony accompany the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1983

William Davison Johnston records the achievements of Captain Edward L. Beach, United States Navy, both for his heroic service aboard submarines during World War II, as well as his command of the USS Triton which completed the first submerged circumnavigation of the globe in 1960. Johnston also notes Beach’s considerable body of work as an author of both fiction and nonfiction titles on naval topics. Johnston compares Beach to Theodore Roosevelt and finds him a worthy recipient of the Theodore Roosevelt Distinguished Service Medal.

Photographs of Theodore Roosevelt, a great grandson of President Roosevelt, and of Beach at the award ceremony accompany the citation.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1983-10-27

Remarks by William Davison Johnston, President of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, upon the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize Medal awarded to President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, to President Reagan at the White House in October 1982.

A photograph showing both sides of the medal awarded to Roosevelt and a photograph of Johnston and Reagan at the White House ceremony accompany the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1982-10-27