March 8, 2024

In Memoriam: Admiral Joseph F. Frick, USN

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Joseph Francis Frick, U.S. Navy (Ret.), on 6 February 2024 at age 93. Rear Admiral Frick entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1949 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in September 1983 as Commander, Naval Base Norfolk. His commands included Attack Squadron

March 7, 2024

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral Richard H. Truly, USN

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral Richard Harrison “Dick” Truly, USN (Ret.), on 27 February 2024 at age 86. Vice Admiral Truly entered the U.S. Navy via the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in September 1955, serving as a naval aviator and astronaut until his retirement in July 1989 as associate

March 7, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Jimmie B. Finkelstein, USN

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Jimmie Bennie Finkelstein, U.S. Navy (Ret.), on 3 March 2024 at age 85. Rear Admiral Finkelstein enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in July 1960 and served as a public affairs officer (PAO) until his retirement in August 1989 as Chief of Information (CHINFO) in the

Feb. 23, 2024

Operation FLINTLOCK: Invasion of the Marshall Islands, January-February 1944 Part 2

The first week of February marked the 80th Anniversary of Operation FLINTLOCK, the U.S. invasion of the Marshall Islands during WWII. This operation, the largest amphibious assault of the war to that date, was the first major central Pacific expedition and directly contributed to the Allied defeat of Imperial Japan the Pacific. To honor those who

Feb. 20, 2024

Operation FLINTLOCK: Invasion of the Marshall Islands, January-February 1944

The first week of February 2024 marked the 80th Anniversary of Operation FLINTLOCK, the U.S. invasion of the Marshall Islands during WWII. This operation, the largest amphibious assault of the war to date, was the first major central Pacific operation of the Pacific War. The successful landings in the Marshalls, both at Roi-Namur and Kwajalein,

Feb. 12, 2024

In Memoriam: Admiral Bruce DeMars, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Admiral Bruce DeMars on 3 February 2024 at age 88. Admiral DeMars entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1953 and served as a submarine warfare officer until his retirement in October 1996 as the third director of Naval Reactors/Naval Nuclear Propulsion. His commands included Cavalla

Feb. 2, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral George A. Aitcheson Jr., USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral George Alfred Aitcheson Jr. on 25 January 2024 at age 93. Rear Admiral Aitcheson enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in April 1952 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in July 1985 as director of Command and Control Planning and Programing Division in the Office of the

Jan. 25, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Stephen K. Chadwick, USN

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Stephen Kent “Steve” Chadwick on 18 January 2024 at age 85. Rear Admiral Chadwick entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1957 and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in September 1990 as Commander Naval Surface Group Mid-Pacific/Commander Naval

Jan. 22, 2024

“All . . . Behaved Courageously and Cooly”: The Loss of USS Portent (AM-106) During Operation Shingle

Author’s Note: During this 80th anniversary cycle of World War II, I hope to correct, at least in some small way through multiple weblog posts, the incomplete historical scholarship given to the U.S. Navy’s missions and activities in the European and Mediterranean Theaters of Operation, compared with those in the Pacific Theater. By utilizing

Jan. 4, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Brian L. Davies, USN

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Brian Llewellyn Davies on 30 December 2023 at age 54. Rear Admiral Davies entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1987 and served as a submarine warfare officer until his passing in December 2023 as director of the Learning to Action Drive Team on the Navy Staff. His commands