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and explore our oceans, as well as similar efforts to

Walter Munk add new and expand existing marine protected ar- (center) with the eas (MPAs), address marine plastic pollution, com- author (left) and his bat coral disease, and advance ocean science and wife Mary (right) at technology. Walter’s legacy with Scripps also made

Scripps in 2018. notable contributions to the 2019 White House Sum- mit on Ocean Science and Technology Partnerships, which spurred the signing of a trove of agreements between NOAA and partner organizations to move forward in areas such as ocean mapping, explora- tion, science, public understanding, countering il- legal ? shing, conserving coral reefs, and expanding the research and operational application of autono- mous systems and arti? cial intelligence.

A third aspect of Walter’s mark on America is the strength in diversity that he represented. Walter came to the United States from Austria-Hungary in 1937, and in response to Nazi Germany’s annexation of Austria in 1938, he applied for and obtained U.S. citizenship in 1939. While discussions on diversity nowadays tend to focus on race, it is equally impor- tant to include our immigrant population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, foreign-born citizens are the second largest minority group in America, tied with African Americans. As a non-native Eng- lish speaker who rose to the equivalent of royalty in

U.S. science, Walter embodied the American dream.

I never lost sight of this while I served in the Navy and at NOAA, deliberately including our immigrant teammates in my outreach and recognition during diversity events with employees, partners, and law- makers.

Several months after Walter passed away in Febru- ary of 2019, his family asked me to be the

Master of Ceremonies at a recognition event for him planned for October of that Year. This widely attended event was preceded by the Walter Munk

Legacy Celebration hosted by Scripps the day be- fore, and it was followed by a ceremony and pad- dle-out near the Scripps research pier the day after.

Across the three days, the total measure of the man was summed by the extraordinary expanse, magni- tude, and diversity of those who gave tribute to him.

While the naming commission struggles to secure broad public support for their Congressional man- date, they can do no better in renaming the Navy’s newest oceanographic ship after the loyal veteran, esteemed scientist, and naturalized citizen - Walter

Munk.

Photo courtesy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet www.marinelink.com 43

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