Navy celebrates 236th birthday, San Diego, California

Capt. Penny Heisler, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Branch Medical Clinic officer in charge, right, cuts the first slice of cake during the U.S. Navy's 236th birthday celebration at Duncan Hall Gallery Oct. 13. Traditionally, the oldest sailor is to cut the cake, take a bite and announce whether or not the cake is edible. They then cut a slice of cake for the youngest sailor who also takes a bite and declares it to be edible. Heisler was the oldest sailor aboard MCRD and Seaman Gage Farry, MCRD Branch Medical Clinic hospital corpsman, was the youngest sailor. Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, 19th chief of naval operations, authorized Oct. 13 to be the U.S. Navy's authorized day of recognition in 1972.