Rear Admiral Reginald Rowan Belknap was the featured speaker of the 1932 Memorial Day celebration in Newport. The son of Rear Admiral George Eugene Belknap, he was born in Newport in 1832. His distinguished Naval career began in 1894, he served in World War I, and retired in 1927. At one time he made two cruises on the Constellation (built in 1797) which was the sister ship of the Constitution (“Old Ironsides.”) Admiral Belknap urged preparedness in a strong Army and Navy to safeguard world peace. While in Newport he stayed with his relative, Frederick W. Aiken on Belknap Avenue. The Legion sponsored a reception for the people of Newport with Admiral Belknap on the Sunday before Memorial Day.

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