June 17, 2016

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Drydocked First Ship in the Western Hemisphere June 17, 1833

For a ship that sat dormant for nearly seven years after it was completed, it's remarkable that USS Delaware would ultimately become one of the most noteworthy ships of the United States Navy. This 74-gun ship-of-the-line became the first ship in the Western Hemisphere to be dry docked, on June 17, 1833, at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in

June 17, 2016

Savage Buttons Reveal Secrets of Revolutionary War Shipwreck

When the Naval History and Heritage Command's Underwater Archaeology and Conservation Laboratory received over 1,000 artifacts from the Revolutionary War shipwreck assemblage of Royal Savage last summer, conservators recognized that a number of these artifacts were personal effects of the sailors and officers who sailed aboard the

June 4, 2016

Reflections on the Battle of Midway from the PACFLT Basement

Editor's note: The following blog was written by Capt. Dale Rielage and first appeared on Station HYPO. Captain Rielage serves as Director for Intelligence and Information Operations for U.S. Pacific Fleet. He has served as 3rd Fleet N2, 7th Fleet Deputy N2, Senior Intelligence Officer for China at the Office of Naval Intelligence and Director of

June 3, 2016

A Cruise through The Battle Of Midway

The Battle of Midway, one of the most important battles of the Pacific campaign in World War II, occurred between June 4 and 7, 1942. The battle took place only six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea. The U.S. Navy defeated an attacking fleet of the Japanese navy near Midway Atoll, inflicting

June 3, 2016

Living the Legacy of Admiral Raymond Spruance

Editor's note: Cmdr. Manny Hernandez, Commanding Office of the USS Spruance (DDG 111), delivered the following address to his crew in the spirit of commemorating the Battle of Midway, which occurred 74 years ago this week. The USS Spruance is deployed in the Pacific as part of the Pacific Surface Action Group (PACSAG), during which the THIRD Fleet

May 29, 2016

Lest We Forget

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have served our nation and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Since the beginning of our great nation, U.S. Navy Sailors, and their ships, have gone in harm's way to protect our great nation. Each May, we take time to remember and honor these heroes. Below we've highlighted several Navy ships that

May 19, 2016

Balancing Act: History and Technology in a Modern Navy

At the Navy League's Sea Air Space Exposition this year, I was fortunate to sit on a panel with peers from the Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps. The question was how today's service men and women seize history's lessons to tackle today's leadership and technology challenges. With a little more than a year as the Director of the Naval History and

May 16, 2016

A Look Back at Top Gun

More than thirty years ago, stunning footage of F-14 Tomcats flashed across the silver screen and moviegoers were introduced to the high-speed operations and culture of naval aviation through the characters "Maverick," "Goose," "Iceman," and "Charlie." The release of the movie Top Gun on May 16, 1986, came at a time when naval aviation was very

May 6, 2016

Battle of Coral Sea: Toughness in Battle Forges Committed Partners

It was the first sea battle in world history where opposing ships were not in visual range of one another during actual fighting. All damage to the ships was inflicted by aircraft. Secondly, it represented the first time since the Dec. 7th attacks that the enemy advance in the Pacific was halted. And finally, because of the battle's impact, it

April 29, 2016

Glory is the Reward of Valor - The Story of USS Cole

USS Cole (DDG 67), is named after Medal of Honor recipient Marine Corps Sgt. Darrell Samuel Cole. He enlisted in the Corps on Aug. 25, 1941. After completing basic training at Parris Island, S.C., he reported to Company H, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. Although designated as a Field Music (bugler), he frequently put down his

April 29, 2016

Why the U.S. Navy Manages a Forest

The predawn light reflects an eerie blood-red from the underbellies of the incoming clouds. As the light penetrates the canopy, the last of the nocturnal creatures have returned to their refuge to wait out the coming light. High in the crown of a mighty oak, pacing with anticipation of the coming daylight, a roosted tom turkey shakes the forest

April 24, 2016

How Well Do You Know the Blue Angels?

It's true, the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, are pretty famous (they have performed for more than 450 million people) but how well do you know their history? Like most things Navy, the Blues, as they are affectionately called, are rooted in a proud and lasting heritage. Take a look back on how they became the fixture in

April 20, 2016

How Fear, Deception and Indecision Nearly Destroyed Norfolk Naval Shipyard

The United States Navy's oldest, largest and most multifaceted industrial facility is just a buck and change shy of its 250th anniversary in November 2017. But as flames consumed the structures and ships of Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) the evening of April 20, 1861, its future was very much in doubt.Photo #: NH 59179 Destruction of the United

April 18, 2016

The Doolittle Raiders - The Mission

On April 18, 1942, it was a "nice sun-shiny day overcast with anti-aircraft fire," according to Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Eldred V. Scott. Over Tokyo, anyway. Scott's weather quip signaled the near completion of the Doolittle Raiders mission on that day 72 years ago today. But it was just the beginning of the unknown for the 80 men and their 16

April 6, 2016

The Dixie Cup: An Everyday Icon and Historic Symbol

Of all uniform items issued to Sailors in the United States Navy, no other item may be as iconic as the white hat, affectionately known as the "Dixie Cup." This week, the Dixie Cup was further rooted in our heritage when the first female recruits at Recruit Training Command were issued their new enlisted white hats as part of the Navy's efforts

April 1, 2016

Skin Deep: The Nautical Roots of Tattoo Culture

Editor's Note: In response to feedback from the fleet and senior enlisted leadership, the Navy announced two changes to its uniform policy, March 31, in NAVADMIN 082/16. Learn more about the changes here.Modern tattoo culture is rooted in the nautical world. The connection between tattoos and Sailors was cemented by the Tahitian voyages of Royal

April 1, 2016

Batter Up, Sailor!

When Baseball Went to War is an exhibit at the Puget Sound Navy Museum, which explores the history of Navy baseball from its earliest years through World War II. Baseball was among the earliest team sports played at the U.S. Naval Academy, getting its start around the 1860s. By the late 1800s, many ships had their own teams and leagues. Quickly,

March 18, 2016

Navy's Underwater Archaeologists Conduct Survey of the USS Tulip

Earlier this week, Naval History and Heritage Command's (NHHC) Underwater Archaeology (UAB) Branch partnered with Navy's Supervisor of Diving and Salvage (SUPSALV), Phoenix International Holdings, Inc., and the Institute of Maritime History (IMH) to conduct a two day survey of the wreck site of USS Tulip off Ragged Point, VA utilizing a remotely

March 16, 2016

Astronauts Rise to Meet the Gemini 8 Challenge

While Gemini 8 wasn't the mission that coined the phrase, "Houston, we have a problem" (that would be Apollo 13) it was the first emergency in space. Gemini 8 actually marked two firsts in human spaceflight?the first time one spacecraft docked to another, and the first time astronauts were forced to make an emergency landing from orbit. What

March 10, 2016

Operation Tomodachi: Partnerships, Presence, Readiness and Heritage

On Friday, March 11, 2011 at 2:46 p.m. Japan was rocked by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, centered 80 miles east of the coastal city of Sendai. The initial earthquake, the fourth most powerful earthquake recorded since 1900, was followed by a tsunami and a partial meltdown at a nuclear power plant, as well as multiple aftershocks in the ensuing weeks.