Where is this story, what is its title, who is the author? Since I
have been unable to locate it even with the help of reference
librarians I suppose that some of the information about it may be
incorrect. I am sure the story existed. I do not know whether it was
true or fiction. I give my brother's recollection.
 
" 'Making Annapolis was Easy' was the title of an article in the
Saturday Evening Post in about 1936 or '37.

"The article was written by one who had 'made it' into Annapolis [the
U.S. Naval Academy] by appointment from the 'Fleet'. He described
joining the Navy at age 17, going through 'Boot Camp' at Newport Rhode
Island and being quartered in 'Barracks B'. He described the daily
routine, sleeping hammocks, the mess hall, the marching, learning
signal flags, first aid, Morse code, rowing, washing clothes, but his
main theme was the way HE took care of the Head in Barracks B.

"His description of HIS head was graphic. No separate "stalls", all
toilets flushed at once on a timed basis having no particular
relationship to frequency of use, a long row of urinals, rows of sinks
with brass fixtures, community showers rather close together. Concrete
floors and tile walls.

"He described telling his company 'Chief' that he wanted to go to
Annapolis and in order to prove that he deserved it he would clean up
that dirty head and keep it spotless until graduation from Boot Camp.
In return he wanted the Chief to tell the officer who made the
Saturday barracks inspection to give this head a white glove
inspection every Saturday. He promised that it would get a top
inspection grade no matter how hard the inspector looked for dirt.
Somehow this would translate into qualification for Annapolis.

"What he didn't include in his story was that he was a good student
and was confident of being able to pass the entrance exams given to
candidates from the Fleet. In other words he wanted to be given the
opportunity to become a candidate. Obviously it worked."

Dear mary1234567890,

There has been only one Saturday Evening Post article with the title
"Making Annapolis was easy"; however, it dates from 1947, not from
1936/37. I am nevertheless certain that it is the very article you
have in mind, considering the fact that there is no other with the
same or a resembling title.

"Making Annapolis was easy" appeared in the Saturday Evening Post of
15 March 1947. The author was Commander William Julius Lederer (b.
1912), indeed a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and later author
and co-author of numerous books, such as "The Ugly American" (1965).
This photograph [1] shows William J. Lederer's portrait as part of an
exibition at the U.S. Naval Academy Annapolis:
http://www.usna.edu/LibExhibits/Litfest/Exhibit9.htm

The copyright for Lederer's "Making Annapolis was easy" dates from 12
March 1947, and was renewed on 9 September 1974.

Because of William J. Lederers biographical background, and because
the Saturday Evening Post did not publish an earlier article of the
same title, I think there can be no doubt that this is what you are
looking for.

I hope that this will help!
Best regards,
Scriptor



Sources:

The FictionMags Index: Saturday Evening Post, 15 March 1947
http://users.ev1.net/~homeville/fictionmag/t874.htm#A20317

Wikipedia: William Lederer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lederer

The Project Gutenberg eBook of U.S. Copyright Renewals, 1974 July-December
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/1/8/5/11850/11850-8.txt

[1] U.S. Naval Academy: Daydream Engineers - Exhibit 9
http://www.usna.edu/LibExhibits/Litfest/Exhibit9.htm

Pastpaper.com: Saturday Evening Post 1940-1949
http://www.pastpaper.com/List-SatEvePost40s.htm


Search terms used:
"Making Annapolis was Easy"
://www.google.de/search?hl=de&q=%22Making+Annapolis+was+Easy%22&btnG=Google-Suche&meta=
"saturday evening post" 1946 1947 1948
://www.google.de/search?num=20&hl=de&newwindow=1&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=%22saturday+evening+post%22+1946+1947+1948&btnG=Suche&meta=
"William Julius Lederer" 1912
://www.google.de/search?num=20&hl=de&newwindow=1&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=%22William+Julius+Lederer%22+1912&btnG=Suche&meta=
"William J Lederer" 1912
://www.google.de/search?num=20&hl=de&newwindow=1&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=%22William+J+Lederer%22+1912&btnG=Suche&meta=
"making annapolis" lederer
://www.google.de/search?num=20&hl=de&newwindow=1&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=%22making+annapolis%22+lederer&btnG=Suche&meta=

---

Clarification of Answer by scriptor-ga on 16 Oct 2005 05:29 PDT

I would like to add that William J. Lederer graduated from the U.S.
Naval Academy in 1936, so the '36/'37 date your brother recalls most
likely refers to the years the article covers, not the date when it
was published.

Regards,
Scriptor

---

Request for Answer Clarification by mary1234567890-ga on 16 Oct 2005 13:58 PDT

This is not really a request for clarification, since the answer seems
clear and satisfactory. Nevertheless, I cannot commpletely accept it
until I see the story, which I intend to do as soon as possible,
probably this week. My hesitation stems from the fact that my brother,
Robert Schabacker, claimed sincerely that the story was part of his
own inspiration to "make Annapolis", and he graduated from the Academy
in 1945 (class of 1946, accelerated because of WWII).

This claim, however, he made much later, perhaps in 1980's, so he may
well have been confused. He, too, joined the Navy at age 17, attended
boot camp at Newport Rhode Island. and entered the Academy from the
fleet, although with nowhere near the ease suggessted in the story as
he remembered it. Certainly, in view of your information, I do not
expect the story to be just as my brother remembers it, but I do
expect to find some of the rather humorous and likely fictional
details that cannot be from my brother Bob's own experience.

Meanwhile, I appreciate your prompt response and am eager to check the
story. I expect to find what I am looking for, thanks to you.

---

Clarification of Answer by scriptor-ga on 17 Oct 2005 18:08 PDT

I'm glad to know that I could help you.

Regards,
Scriptor

The answer was perfect. I looked at the story named, found it is truly
just the story I was looking for. Thank you.