GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — President Donald Trump is the sixth U.S. president to be named an admiral for the largely honorific Great Navy of the State of Nebraska.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen bestowed the largely honorific title Monday during a midterms rally headlining Trump. It’s not unusual for governors to bestow the honor on friends or celebrities and dignitaries who visit Nebraska.
After a more than 20-minute speech Monday, Pillen laughed and asked the crowd to “let me have one little fun thing here yet this afternoon before, I hope, I haven’t indulged too long.”
The governor remarked that, as Nebraska’s chief executive officer, he’s also the commander of Nebraska’s Air and Army National Guard. But, tongue-in-cheek since the 1930s, the governor also oversees a “Great Navy.”
“Triple land-locked state — our navy — and oh, by the way, home of the largest, most sustainable underground aquifer in the Western Hemisphere,” Pillen said.
The honor began in 1930 when then-Gov. Charles W. Bryan went on vacation and his lieutenant governor, T. W. Metcalfe, wanted a way to honor his friends, according to the Nebraska State Historical Society. So the acting governor created the Great Navy and named the first admirals.
Trump is at least the sixth U.S. president to be named an admiral and the first since President George W. Bush (2001-09), who was recognized for his service following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, according to the Nebraska Admirals Association.
The other honored presidential admirals: Ronald Reagan (1981-1989), Gerald Ford (1974-77), Harry S. Truman (1945-53) and Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-45).
Other famous admirals listed by the association:
The honor is among Nebraska’s highest civic honors as a largely honorary designation. The award carries no military rank, duties, pay or other special privileges.
Pillen’s office also allows a process to request admiralships. At least the nominator or nominee must be a Nebraska resident. No self-nominations are accepted. The governor has “full discretion” for any requests.
An admiralship appointment reads as follows —
“Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism valor, fidelity and abilities of _________ and knowing him to be a good fellow and a loyal friend and counselor I have nominated and do appoint him an Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. He is therefore called to diligently discharge the duties of Admiral by doing and performing all manner of things thereto belonging. And I do strictly charge and require all officers, seamen, tadpoles and goldfish under his command to be obedient to his orders as Admiral — and he is to observe and follow, from time to time, such directions as he shall receive, according to the rules and discipline of the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. This commission to continue in force during the period of his good behavior, and the pleasure of the Chief Admiral of the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. Given under my hand in the City of Lincoln, State of Nebraska, this _________ day of _________ in the year of our Lord.”