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THE ARMY-NAVY PRODUCTION AWARD
In 1906, the Navy instituted in the Fleet an award for excellence
which has been known ever since as the Navy "E." First awarded
for excellence in gunnery, it was later extended to indude out-
standing performance in engineering and communications. It was
an honor not easily won nor lightly bestowed, and has remained
a matter of deep pride to the men in the service who receive it.
With the rising tide of war in Europe a premium was placed on the
production of war equipment and the Navy "E" was extended to
embrace those plants and organizations which showed excellence
in producing ships, weapons, and materials for the Navy.
Then came Pearl Harbor and, as the fighting forces and American
industry became partners in our struggle for freedom, the Navy
"E" grew to the Army-Navy Production Award in joint recogni-
tion of a grim resolve to work and fight together for Victory. The
Award stands for exceptional performance on the production front
. . . it typifies a determined, unbeatable American spirit which
can be satisfied only by achieving today what yesterday seemed
impossible.