Competitive Examination in 1918 to Become a Navy Acting Ensign for Engineering Duties Only

摘要

Although the United States remained neutral as World War I continued, President Woodrow Wilson advocated increasing the size of the U.S. Navy so that is was "second to none." Congress approved the Naval Act of 1916 which was a three-year plan that authorized building 10 battleships, 6 battle cruisers, 50 destroyers, and 81 other vessels. To help provide the engineers needed to operate the fleet, Congress authorized the Secretary of the Navy to annually appoint 30 Acting Ensigns for engineering duties only.