Navy Day
by Harry Harrison (1925–2012)
- Free to read
- 10 min read
- Reading level: 7th grade
"Navy Day" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction short story published in the mid-20th century. The plot centers around a satirical conflict between the U.S. Army and Navy as the Army pushes for the abolition of the Navy, declaring its own superior technological advancements that allow military vehicles to traverse both land and water. This humorous narrative reflects on themes of military rivalry and bureaucratic absurdity, set against a backdrop of political maneuvering in a fictionalized version of Washington, D.C. The story follows General Wingrove, who proposes to Congress that the Navy be disbanded, claiming that the Army's new innovation—the ability to use vehicles on water by manipulating surface tension—renders naval forces obsolete. In response, Admiral Fitzjames reveals a counter-invention that allows Navy ships to sail on land, igniting a comedic battle of technological prowess between the two armed services. The narrative culminates in a farcical showdown as each side presents their conflicting innovations to Congress, showcasing the absurdity of their rivalry. Ultimately, it serves as an entertaining critique of military priorities and the nature of institutional competition.
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Read the opening
_The Army had a new theme song: "Anything
you can do, we can do better!" And they meant
anything, including up-to-date hornpipes!_
Illustrated by Kelly Freas
General Wingrove looked at the rows of faces without seeing them. His vision went beyond the Congress of the United States, past the balmy June day to another day that was coming. A day when the Army would have its destined place of authority.
He drew a deep breath and delivered what was perhaps the shortest speech ever heard in the hallowed halls of Congress:
"The General Staff of the U.S. Army requests Congress to abolish the archaic branch of the armed forces known as the U.S. Navy."
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About this edition
This free edition of Navy Day by Harry Harrison comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #30019, released 2009-09-18. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Short Stories, Science-Fiction & Fantasy, Humour, American Literature.
Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).
