Dec. 20, 2022

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral Edward S. Briggs, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral Edward Samuel Briggs, U.S. Navy, Retired, in November 2022 at age 96. Vice Admiral Briggs entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1945 and served as a naval aviator and surface line officer until his retirement in 1984 as Commander Naval Surface Forces Atlantic. His other commands

Dec. 16, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Richard C. Macke, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Richard Chester “Dick” Macke, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 7 December 2022 at age 84. Rear Admiral Macke entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1956 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in 1996 following his last assignment as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command.

Dec. 12, 2022

Admiral Chester Nimitz Takes Command in the Aftermath of Pearl Harbor

On the morning of 16 December 1941, nine days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was working at his desk in the U.S. Navy’s Bureau of Navigation when he was summoned to the office of Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox. Exhausted from working more than a week with little sleep, Nimitz trudged over to Knox’s

Dec. 2, 2022

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral John M. Mateczun, MC, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral John Matthew Mateczun, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 7 November 2022 at age 76. Vice Admiral Mateczun entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in November 1976 and served in the Medical Corps as a psychiatrist and senior health care executive until his retirement in April 2012

Nov. 28, 2022

Daisy Chains and Torpedoes at Tassafaronga, 30 November 1942

Fatigue, dehydration, and starvation plagued thousands of Imperial Japanese ground troops scattered across Guadalcanal in November 1942. Recent attempts to resupply these forces via “the Tokyo Express”—the employment of Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) destroyers to deliver supplies and equipment from Rabaul to Guadalcanal—were unsuccessful as American

Nov. 18, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Jon M. Barr, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Jon Michael “Mike” Barr, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 26 October 2022 at age 84. Rear Admiral Barr entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1957 and served as a submarine officer until his retirement in April 1996 as commander, Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC). His commands

Nov. 17, 2022

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral James A. Sagerholm, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral James Alvin Sagerholm, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 3 November 2022 at age 94. Vice Admiral Sagerholm enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1946 and served as a surface line officer, submarine officer, and in intelligence billets until his retirement in November 1985 as the chief of

Nov. 16, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Albert L. Kelln, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Albert Lee “Al” Kelln, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 17 October 2022 at age 92. Rear Admiral Kelln entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1948 and served as a submarine officer until his retirement in July 1980 as deputy director/vice director for management and operations, Defense

Nov. 9, 2022

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral William H. Rowden, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral William Henry “Bill” Rowden, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 15 October 2022 at age 92. Bill Rowden entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1948 and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in October 1988 as Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command. His other commands

Nov. 2, 2022

Radio over Radar: Night Fighting Chaos at Guadalcanal (12-13 November 1942)

The tropical evening sun fell beyond the horizon in the southern Solomon Islands, showering the area in brilliant hues of salmon and auburn. In this distance, cracks of lightning peeled across the sky as charcoal clouds billowed into the area. Early that evening, 12 November 1942, Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan received a report indicating that