In this very interesting paper, Bassan describes and analyzes the high morale of the men on the U.S.S. The Sullivans, a 2200 ton destroyer, which took part in many exhausting combat campaigns in the Southwest Pacific.

The name of the ship itself helped these men feel a warm team spirit. Their first Captain who was exacting and demanding but extremely efficient, left a well-trained group of men with poor morale. The new Captain, pleasant and easy going, made it possible for these men to withstand severe combat stress and deprivation by his use of friendliness, rewards, good food, and equal sharing of the good and bad between officers and men. The men of this ship were able to maintain an extremely healthy psychological equilibrium. In twenty-one months of combat duty only one officer was evacuated as a neuropsychiatric casualty.