Aug. 19, 2017

Navy's Role in Finding USS Indianapolis

Editor's Note: It was announced today that the wreckage of the World War II cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA 35) was located by a team of civilian researchers led by entrepreneur and philanthropist Paul G. Allen. The search was aided by historical and archaeological support from the Naval History and Heritage Command. Just last year, NHHC uncovered

Aug. 18, 2017

The National Naval Aviation Museum's Must See List

In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established National Aviation Day, choosing August 19th as a fitting date since it was the birthday of Orville Wright. On the occasion of this..... Located in Pensacola, Florida, we guarantee that if you liked this blog, you'll LOVE their exhibits! Check out our online WWII naval aviation art exhibit.

Aug. 4, 2017

Making Naval Aviation History Aboard USS Gerald R. Ford

Editor's note: By now, we all know USS Gerald R. Ford's first catapult and trap was a success. We've heard from Navy leadership about the success of the program and that it was one of many historic moments that will happen upon the ship. But, we haven't heard from the pilot who made history. In our efforts to capture history as it happens, the

Aug. 2, 2017

Conservators in Action: Uncovering Secrets of the Suspected Revenge Cannon

It's never a dull day at the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Underwater Archaeology (UA) Conservation Laboratory, especially when a heavily concreted cannon from the suspected wreck site of the 14-gun naval schooner Revenge arrived on May 26, 2017. The cannon, believed to be a six-pounder, was recovered by NHHC archaeologists and divers

July 29, 2017

Remembering Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce

The founder of the Naval War College, Rear Adm. Stephen B. Luce, died of natural causes in Newport, Rhode Island at the salty age of ninety years old ... and what a wonderful life he lead! A true sailor and scholar, Luce drew from personal experience to recognize the interrelationship between professional education and practical experience in

July 28, 2017

How the 1967 Fire on USS Forrestal Improved Future U.S. Navy Damage Control Readiness

Editor's note: While on active duty, Commander Stewart wrote his U.S. Army Command and General Staff College master's thesis on "The Impact of The USS Forrestal's 1967 Fire on United States Navy Shipboard Damage Control." The thesis examined the impact of the 1967 flight deck fire on the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA 59) and the two resulting

July 26, 2017

A Class Project to Invade Canada

The United States Plans Invasion of Nova Scotia, Canada: U.S. Forces to Occupy Halifax and Destroy the Pictou Coal MinesWere the title and subtitle of this article to appear as headlines in a major American newspaper today, the reaction would be shock and disbelief. After all, Canada is one of the United States' closest partners in maintaining

July 25, 2017

Farming to Feed the Forces

How did the U.S. provide fresh fruits and vegetables to 3.6 million service men and women throughout the Pacific during World War II? This may seem a trivial topic in today's day and age with steak and lobster served on carriers and fresh fruits and vegetable commonplace to most sailors, but during WWII canned vegetables, powdered milk and eggs,

July 20, 2017

Thoughts on the Navy's Future From the Oldest Commissioned Warship Afloat in the World

As I stand on the quarterdeck of the great ship 'Constitution' I am often struck by the deep connections this mighty ship has with the past. She always seemed to keep turning up even after her front line service ended. Today though, I am not writing about the past so much as I am trying to think about the future, the future of the Constitution as

July 17, 2017

A Look at USS Constitution's 2015-2017 Dry Docking and Restoration

USS Constitution, America's Ship of State, entered the Charlestown Navy Yard's Dry Dock 1 the night of May 18, 2015 for a 26-month dry docking and restoration period. Over the course of the past two years the ship restorers and riggers of the Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston and teams of USS Constitution crew accomplished several

July 13, 2017

In Memoriam: Admiral Powell F. Carter, Jr.

In a July 12 message to active and retired Navy flag officers, the director of the Navy staff shared news of the passing of a former U.S. Atlantic Fleet commander who began his military career as an enlisted Sailor. In his note, Vice Admiral James G. Foggo III honored the life and career of retired Admiral Powell F. Carter, who enlisted in the Navy

June 29, 2017

Naval Gunfire Support during the Invasion of Salerno, Italy

During the Allied invasion of Salerno in September of 1943, "Operation Avalanche," the U.S. Navy set a new standard for naval gunfire support (NGFS) only eclipsed by the Okinawa and Iwo Jima campaigns. NGFS, although initially shunned by Army commanders who valued stealth over softened defenses, was an invaluable asset throughout Operation

June 29, 2017

Allied Minesweeping Operations during Operation Avalanche

Minesweeping operations are an often overlooked chapter of Operation Avalanche, the 1943 invasion of Salerno. Minefields in the Gulf of Salerno were first detected by HMS Shakespeare (P221), a British beacon submarine active in the area since August 29, 1943.[1] Using magnetic detection devices, the submarine located a plethora of German "V" and

June 26, 2017

UC-97: Forgotten WWI History in an Unexpected Place - Lake Michigan

Storms had churned the water the night before. The sky was overcast, significantly cutting the ambient light below the surface. And the remote operating vehicle (ROV) malfunctioned, leaving only a difficult-to-control drop camera as the means to positively identify the sonar contact below the workboat of A and T Recovery. After much trial and

June 14, 2017

19th Century Naval Shipyard Innovation

As the Navy transitioned from wooden sailing vessels to a steam powered fleet, three major innovations - steam power, marine railways, and the shiphouse - changed the tone and development of shipyards during the 19th century. Each of these now seemingly simplistic innovations helped the Navy progress from a few small yards into a global system of

June 9, 2017

Dedication of the "Ward" Room at the Pentagon

WASHINGTON - Director of Navy Staff Vice Adm. G. James Foggo III held a dedication ceremony for a conference room at the Pentagon, June 6. Used to host major meetings for the Navy within the Pentagon, the room was dedicated to honor both Cmdr. James Ward, the first U.S. Navy officer killed in the Civil War, and Rear Adm. William W. Outerbridge,

June 9, 2017

The Traditions of Ship Commissionings

The Navy's use of the word "commission" means the placing of a ship in active service. The commissioning ceremony is one of the most significant milestones in the life of a ship as it marks her acceptance as a unit of the operating forces of the United States Navy. Brought to life after ship naming, keel laying, christening and launching,

June 2, 2017

The Battle of Midway Still Teaches the Value of Intelligence, Decisive Action

Heavy smoke rolls from stack of the USS Yorktown after the aircraft carrier was damaged heavily by Japanese aircraft June 4 in The Battle of Midway...

May 31, 2017

Innovation and Victory at the Battle of Midway

When I take a look at the arc of history in the Pacific, in particular the history of the Pacific Fleet, one of the things I find most compelling is the immense shift that took place at the Battle of Midway. For decades prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, our Navy was centered around our battleships. By the time we fought at Midway just six months

May 26, 2017

NHHC Recovers Cannon from possible Revenge Wreck Site

The Naval History and Heritage Command's (NHHC) Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) returned to Rhode Island this week in order to recover a cannon from the suspected wreck site of the 14-gun naval schooner Revenge, which struck a reef and sank off Watch Hill in 1811. Captained by then-Lt. Oliver Hazard Perry, on Jan. 9, 1811, she encountered thick