Without doubt, the greatest moment in Holy Cross History was passage of the Vinson-Walsh (Two-Ocean) Navy Act in July, 1940. Sponsored by U.S. Senator David I. Walsh, HC 1893, the act increased the size of the U.S. Navy by 70 percent, including 7 battleships, 18 aircraft carriers and 15,000 aircraft. The United States Navy saved the world and democracy from fascism during World War II.
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It was a closely kept secret at the time and even less known today, but Holy Cross College was on the verge of bankruptcy in the 1960s. Thanks to Walsh's influence the Navy placed an officers' training program at the college during World War II and an at the time coveted ROTC unit. During the war and in the 1960s, ROTC scholarships and the Navy ROTC unit helped keep the college financially afloat.
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The rival for the Greatest Moment is when the Healy brothers, slaves according the laws of Georgia, walked onto Mount St. James at Holy Cross for the first time. Michener called them America's most remarkable siblings next to the Adames.
James Healy -- First Valedictorian at Holy Cross, first Catholic bishop in America of African descent, pastor St. James Church, South Boston
Sherwood Healy -- First African-Ameican to earn a doctorate, Director Troy Seminary, Rector Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston
Patrick Healy -- President of Georgetown, who transformed a small college into a major university
Hugh Healy -- died at 21 in New York City
Michael Healy -- Captain of the Revenue Cutter Bear, real life hero of Michener's Alaska, inspiration for London's The Sea-Wolf. Commissioned by Abraham Lincoln as a Third Lieutenant in 1864.
