◆ SpookStack

ider. minted from active duty October 20, 1954. While in an inactive duty status, he was associated with the Naval Air Reserve Training Unit until 1957. On February 1, 1960, a personal hearing before a Board of Officers was granted to Rockwell in order that he could present a statement answering specific charges contained in a recommendation to the Secretary of the Navy that he be discharged from the Naval Reserve. The basis for the action was his association with Nazi-type organizations; his espousal of race and religious hatred; his improper use of his rank and status in the _ Naval Reserve to foster hatred; and, his disregard of existing naval rules “‘requiring permission to depart from the United States. Rockwell had made a trip to Iceland in 1959 to effect a reconciliation with his second wife. In defense, Rockwell read a prepared statement in which he. _ expressed hope to "convince the members of this Board that it would not only NOT be in the best interest of the Nayy and the Country to dismiss me from the Service, but that my retention in the face of the organized pressure . on the Navy Department will be a great and historic service to our American Republic and our beleaguered people."' Rockwell had 6,000 copies of this statement prepared for "distribution."" The decision of the Board ordered that Rockwell be discharged from the USNR under honorable conditions.