Saber-Rattlin'

JUNE

SAT 1 JUN 1940
Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles, commenting on U.S. Minister in Uruguay Wilson's suggestion to send 40 or 50 naval vessels to South American waters, suggests "if some way can be found by which at least three or four heavy cruisers and a reasonable number of destroyers can be kept on the East Coast [of South America] this summer." That same day, Welles informs U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Jefferson Caffery that heavy cruiser Quincy (CA-39) is en route to Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo "to furnish a reminder of the strength and the range of action of the armed forces of the United States.

Battleship Washington (BB-56) is launched at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. She is the first American battleship to go down the ways since West Virginia (BB-48), 19 November 1921.

Minor Landing and Base Defense Exercise at San Clemente Island, begun on 25 May, concludes; for the first time one of the newly organized USMC Defense Battalions carries out the mission of defending an advanced base against a landing force supported by aircraft and ships.

U.S. freighter Charles R. McCormick, the American flag displayed prominently, departs Bergen, Norway, for the United States.