Finding Grandma: Snooks and the Navy Color Girl

By Greg Hayes

She was merely a face in a picture. A search for her leads to discoveries about a grandfather ... and Finding Grandma.  The Color Girl and her Angel Boy's compelling and beautiful love story is set against the backdrop of the rich traditions and spriti of the United States Naval Academy in the 1920's. Snooks and the Color Girl's heart-tugging story will inspire you to tell your stories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Greg Hayes
• Release date: Dec 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781386930785

Book preview

This book is dedicated to The United States

Naval Academy Class of 2024.

May you find inspiration from the last ’24.

Ex Scientia Tridens

From knowledge, sea power

Contents

THE KISS........................................1

EARLY YEARS..................................12

PLEBE SUMMER................................18

PLEBE YEAR....................................24

YOUNGSTER CRUISE............................35

YOUNGSTER YEAR..............................43

MISS JOYCE....................................48

TRADING GLOVES...............................52

SECOND CLASS CRUISE.........................56

SECOND CLASS YEAR...........................60

FIRST CLASS CRUISE............................72

‘24 in Charge....................................82

IN THE RING....................................89

THE LAST JUNE WEEK...........................98

PARIS!........................................105

FAIRE DE LA BOXE.............................112

NAVY WEDDING................................117

COACH SNOOKUMS............................133

MISSING SNOOKS..............................143

BIRTH........................................164

CARRY ON, SNOOKS...........................173

BABY SNOOKS.................................185

SEARCHING FOR GRANDMA.....................189

EPILOGUE.....................................199

Acknowledgments.............................205

APPENDIX.....................................208

WORKS CITED.................................210

THE KISS

H

oots and hollering abound as Fifth Company yells, Kiss her! to their beloved leader, Cadet Lieutenant Johnny Snooks Hayes as he is approached by his girlfriend, Katherine Kitty Joyce. They share a loving smile and gaze into each other's eyes as she prepares to hand him the prestigious Regimental Colors.

It is June Week, the last and best week of the 1923-1924 academic term at the United States Naval Academy. It is a much anticipated time to celebrate the successful completion of the numerous demands and rigors of the academic year. The Yard, as the Academy is called, is gorgeous in springtime, flourishing with brightly colored tulips and Japanese cherry blossoms. The small town of Annapolis, Maryland, is bursting with visitors.

Family members and girlfriends have come from all over to observe and participate in longstanding Academy traditions. Parents and siblings feel pride in their midshipman. Romantic kisses and feelings of love are shared by midshipmen[1] and their girlfriends after way too much time apart. Time with Her, the O.A.O (One and Only) at The Yard includes numerous dances, or ‘hops,’ especially the Farewell and June Balls.

The week includes the last Dress Parades, or P-rades, that are rich in tradition and symbolism. The oldest and most important is the Color Company Dress Parade. Eight companies are broken up into four battalions, and those four battalions make up the entire Naval Academy regiment. The eight companies compete in an intense, focused, and highly competitive manner for the honor of being named the Color Company for the next academic term.

The proud winner of the 1923-24 competition is Fifth Company. Its commander is highly successful Cadet Lieutenant John Hayes, class of '24. Only 5'6 and weighing in at 112 pounds, he makes up for his small stature with determination and competitive greatness. Because he is small and has a babyface, he is known as Snooks, after the popular cartoon character Baby Snooks."

The Fifth will receive custody of the coveted Regimental Flag, or 'Colors,' to proudly display in their hall, parades, and other events during the 1924-25 academic term. In the various branches of drill and exercises to determine the winner, the victorious Fifth scored a total of 302 points against 277 for the Second and 211 for the Seventh. The success of the winning company was mainly because of their decisive win in the infantry drill, which carried 275 points.

Fifth Company will be rewarded with perks, such as extra weekends off, longer leaves, and overnight trips for the older midshipmen. But the biggest reward is the pride, satisfaction, and bragging rights that come from working together with fellow company midshipmen to achieve excellence.

They credit Snooks’ leadership for their success. He is highly-respected, admired, and loved by his company-mates, who have fun with him because of his New York accent and small stature. But Snooks is a most unlikely midshipman to reach the coveted position of company commander because of an incident that occurred after his first year.

Midshipman Hayes sailed on the USS Michigan to Europe on his first summer practice cruise in 1921. Snooks got into an argument with a six-foot-tall enlisted man. Enlisted men do not treat the midshipmen with much respect, feeling they are young and cocky academic geeks with little practical knowledge and experience. Snooks felt, perhaps rightly, that the enlisted man was being a jerk to him, which Snooks made clear to him with his words. The much taller enlisted seaman, vastly underestimating his much smaller opponent, initiated a fight. Snooks by all accounts, beat the hell out of him.

Snooks felt a lot of satisfaction from the beat-down, but he would receive a severe consequence when they returned to the Academy. After an official review, he was given a GCM, a General Court Martial. It was a serious offense that would stay on Snooks’ records until he graduated and potentially even into his future naval career. If he continued to stay out of further trouble, the GCM would be dropped from his records upon graduation. At the time of the GCM, he had three more years to avoid trouble.

The GCM was the catalyst for turning himself into the leader he is now. His academic, athletic, professional growth, and accomplishments, as well as his admirable character and personality, earned him the respect of his company. He also earned the respect of his superiors, who awarded him the prestigious position of Cadet Lieutenant of Fifth Company. Today, he will lead his men to receive the most prestigious and coveted honor a company can receive.

As the commanding officer, Cadet Lieutenant Hayes is honored with a slight alteration to his dress parade uniform. On his sleeves are three thin gold bars that distinguish him as a company commander. Thus, company commanders are called Three-Stripers. The commissioned officer assigned to the company is the only one ranked above him.

But the best honor will be to receive the Regimental Flag from the Color Girl. Cadet Lieutenant Hayes chooses his O.A.O, Katherine Joyce, known as Kitty the Color Girl.

Kitty is thrilled to accept and is the envy of all O.A.O.s. She would not trade being Queen of England for being the Color Girl. She relishes the honor of presenting the Colors to Snooks. She will receive the Regimental Flag from the commanding officer of the outgoing color company and then hand it to Snooks as the commander of the new color company. As a touching part of the tradition, he will then embrace and briefly kiss his Color Girl, in what is known as the fond embrace that is the due of the fortunate Three-Striper.

Those who know Snooks and Kitty are well aware of their mutual romantic love. She is six years older than him and calls him Angel Boy. Snooks calls her Angel Girl. She is much closer to an angel than he is, but the names are nonetheless endearing terms of affection and love. They even address each other as Darling Mine. It will indeed be a memorable day for Cadet Lieutenant Hayes and his Color Girl Kitty.

The traditional dress parade route begins at Bancroft Hall at 5:30 pm. The eight companies march onto Worden Field, a wide open beautiful green grass area with long bleachers full of thousands of spectators to watch the procession and ceremony. It is a typical hot and humid Maryland day. Dress Parades are beautiful to observe but uncomfortable to participate in because of the dress uniforms. The midshipmen sweat beneath the uniform as they march, stand at attention, dress arms and stiffly respond to orders.

In full dress uniform, Snooks and his comrades walk out through Memorial Hall and the Rotunda of Bancroft Hall to prepare for the ceremony. The Rotunda and Memorial Hall are sacred places dedicated to alumni who lost their lives in service to the country. The good friends joke, tell stories and rib each other as they wait to assemble for the official and disciplined start of the dress parade. This is an exciting and proud moment for the company, one that every company heartily strives for, but only one receives. This will be Fifth Company's well-deserved shining moment.

Just as the parade is about to begin, his good buddy, Sonny Jim Dancy, captain of Navy’s gymnastics team, along with a few others, talk to Snooks about his 'fond embrace' which is expected to be brief and gentlemanly. The more they talk, the more animated they become. Finally, they encourage Snooks to kiss the Color Girl for more than a minute. He laughs it off until they bet him that he cannot do it. Midshipmen bet all the time about silly and trivial things, but to do this would be serious and very public.

Nonetheless, Snooks takes the bet, but whether he is willing to go through with it is not clear to his buddies, and even to himself. He has pledged loyalty to the long-standing traditions of the Academy. Yet he is independent and spirited enough to do it, and a bet is a bet. But he still wonders if he has the courage to do it.

The eight companies, in numerical order, strikingly and impressively march from Bancroft Hall to Worden Field. It is a breath-taking, awe-inspiring, patriotic, and colorful parade. It has always been a proud march, but this one is especially so for the newly crowned Color Company preparing to receive the coveted Regimental Flag.

Seated under a canopy in the VIP section are dignitaries, including the beloved superintendent of the Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Henry B. Wilson, the highest-ranking officer at the Academy; the commandant of all midshipmen at the Academy, Captain Thomas R. Kurz; and the Color Girl, Katherine Joyce. She is dressed in a white formal garden party dress and wears a spring hat with flowers in it. She holds a bouquet that was presented to her as she arrived. She is both excited and nervous. By nature, she is humble and unassuming and thinks about others before herself. She has never sought the attention that she is now receiving and while enjoying and savoring it all she is nonetheless nervous, especially seated next to the honorable Admiral Wilson.

As the Fifth Company impressively marches in, the great Navy Band plays Dixie and Maryland, My Maryland. All eight companies snap to attention facing the Superintendent. As the national and Regimental Colors are presented, the visually appealing pageantry is on full display. Cadet Lieutenant Hayes strides to attention in front of his company. With the entire regiment standing at present arms a voice from the crowd shouts, Three cheers for the Color Company! It is followed immediately by a loud, resounding chorus of, Hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray!

Kitty rises and joins the distinguished Admiral in walking out from under the canopy. Admiral Wilson, with Kitty on his arm, slowly advances toward Snooks and the Fifth Company. She has butterflies but she is calmed by the strength and gentleness of Admiral Wilson who smiles, thanks her for being part of the ceremony, and reassures her she will do well. On her right side is the outgoing company commander holding the Regimental Flag. She is the center of focus of the thousands in attendance, who silently watch as the honorable tradition unfolds, just as it first did in 1871. They admire her grace, dignity, and beauty.

The three of them walk to Snooks as he is flanked by Fifth Company’s lower officers. Her eyes look into his and she smiles at her Angel Boy. Much of her nervousness goes away as she feels secure in his confident smile and loving presence. The outgoing commander hands the flag to Kitty who now proudly walks three steps towards Snooks holding the flag with two hands in the middle of her body. The pole is almost as long as she is tall. She prays that she does not drop it on Snooks. Kitty safely hands it to Snooks, who passes it along to another officer. He smiles as he prepares for the ‘fond embrace’ that is his due. Some of his buddies yell out, Kiss her!

With little time to ponder, Snooks pulls Kitty into his arms and kisses her. The huge crowd, including dignitaries, warmly reacts to the romantic embrace and kiss. Kitty savors the moment. Snooks does as well but then continues to kiss her. The kiss is passionate and it lingers. For a brief moment, Kitty opens her eyes and looks at him wondering if he will stop. To quote the official account of the event, He lost no time in going through the oscillation. (2) As the kiss continues, the traditionalists in the crowd squirm uncomfortably while others yell with amused approval. Uncertain if he will win his bet, Snooks is relishing this opportunity to show off his Kitty while gaining the approval and esteem of his comrades. Caught up in the moment, she is enjoying it as well, as uncharacteristic as this is of her.

The kiss continues! Snooks finally stops the kiss, unaware of whether he kissed her for a minute or not, but sensing that Superintendent Wilson is about to call break. Break is a Navy term used to safely land planes on aircraft carriers, but in this case, it would mean to end the kiss!

Kitty and Admiral Wilson walk back to the VIP stands, and Snooks beams as he returns to his smiling Company. Afterward, midshipmen mill with their families and friends, and for those lucky enough, linger on kisses with their O.A.O. Snooks shares another kiss with Kitty who wonders if he is in trouble, while smiling at the spunk and spirit of her naughty Angel Boy.

When the Company returns to Bancroft Hall his buddies revel in the kiss and their role in it. Snooks thoroughly enjoys their approval, and they agree that no one won the bet. But he is also in a hurry to get out of his sweaty uniform, shower, and put on his formal dress blues. He and Kitty will attend the Supper Party that night for the Color Company commander.

It is held at the beautiful on-campus Beaux Arts-style home of Superintendent Wilson. Lieutenant Commander, and Mrs. William N. Richardson, are the hosts for the evening. The winning Fifth Company is part of Lieutenant Richardson's Third Battalion. The guest of honor is Fifth Company Commander Hayes accompanied by Color Girl Katherine Joyce. Others in attendance are Regimental Commander JT Hogg '24; Midshipman Steven Barchet '24, Regimental sub commander and Miss Darcy Barchet; Midshipman Jim Dancy and Miss Marguerite Dancy, Miss Louise Lankford of Baltimore, and Mrs. Clyde Gray West, of Washington, D.C. The midshipmen and their dates have never been to an event as nice and classy as this.

The evening begins with delicious hors d'oeuvres, and then the guests go outside to the huge terraced garden to socialize, smoke cigars and cigarettes, and enjoy drinks. Later, they return to the house to eat a sumptuous dinner. Social events like these are of the highest class and reputation. The superintendent has close relations with people at the Pentagon, the White House, and other powerful and prestigious institutions and bodies. He and his wife host frequent parties - the food is always delicious, the decorations splendid, and the ice sculptures amazingly artistic.

It is an event that lives up to high standards. However, one can only imagine the occasional awkwardness of conversations. Are conversations centered on the tremendous feat of the Fifth Company, on the rich and meaningful tradition of the day? Is the kiss talked about at all or politely avoided as the elephant in the room? Perhaps since most in attendance know him well and have high regard for both of them, they are able to laugh about it and enjoy it. After all, Dancy and his good buddies bet him he could not kiss Kitty for a minute.

They certainly could not blame the kiss on the Color Girl, Katherine Joyce, as It was not discussed with her beforehand. Her Angel Boy initiated it. But of course, it does take two to linger! Regardless, they have a wonderful, celebratory evening. After the Supper Party, they stay to attend the Garden Party for the entire Class of '24. They meet at the back of the Superintendent's 34-bedroom home in the huge expansive, terraced garden from 8:30 pm-midnight. It is a wonderful night to savor and appreciate each other and the long Academy journey together.

The Kiss is the talk of the Academy for the rest of June Week. The school newspaper reports on it with the headline, Johnny Hayes Kissed Girl During Color Presentation, and writes of the lingering kiss, referring to him as Snooks in the article. The Kiss becomes a part of Naval Academy stories told for years to come. But in 1925, the presentation of