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

Japanese Type 93, 24” Diameter Torpedo, ca. 1942-1945. On exhibit outside the main Navy/munitions building complex in Washington, D.C. during World War II. This torpedo was recovered from a reef off Point Cruz, Guadalcanal. (NH 94125)

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

Photographed from USS President Adams (AP-38), USS President Jackson (AP-37) maneuvers under Japanese air attack off Guadalcanal, 12 November 1942. In the center background is smoke from an enemy plane that had just crashed into the after superstructure of USS San Francisco (CA-38), which is steaming away in the right center. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (80-G-32366)

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

George Schwarz (NHHC) conducts a metal detector survey over a wreck site. Divers can be deployed with tools, like metal detectors, to assist in identifying or pinpointing iron objects. Some objects become overgrown with marine life and are difficult identify with the naked eye. If the object is buried, more exact location data will assist future research efforts.

Oct. 26, 2022

Navy and NOAA Search for U.S. Schooner Alligator near the 200th Anniversary of Its Loss

In early September 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) collaborated on a project to locate and study one of the U.S. Navy’s historic wrecks from the early 19th century, the schooner Alligator. The two week project, which took place in

Oct. 19, 2022

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral David M. Bennett, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral David Michael “Dave” Bennett, United States Navy (Retired), on 9 October 2022 at age 87. Vice Admiral Bennett enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in October 1957 and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in September 1995 as Navy Department Inspector General. His

Oct. 13, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Donald P. Harvey, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Donald Phillips “Don” Harvey, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 25 September 2022 at age 98. Don Harvey enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in March 1943 and served as a naval intelligence officer until his retirement in September 1978 as the Director of Naval Intelligence/Commander Naval