April 9, 2024

The Navy and the Formation of NATO

Continued Navy cooperation with coalition partners after World War II helped facilitate a smooth transition from a war footing to a new postwar security framework backed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO then helped clarify the roles and responsibilities for America’s Navy in Nuclear Age limited warfare.

April 5, 2024

In Memoriam: Lieutenant Louis A. Conter, USN (Ret.) The Last Living Survivor of USS Arizona (BB-39)

And then there were none. It is with deep regret I inform you that U.S. Navy hero and Arizona (BB-39) survivor Lieutenant Commander Louis A. "Lou" Conter passed away on 1 April 2024 at age 102. He was the last living survivor of the battleship Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. Lou enlisted in 1939 and was a quartermaster

March 29, 2024

The Long Road to NATO, 1917–1949

The signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949 and the subsequent creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) marked a fundamental transformation in US foreign and defense policy by committing the United States to an ongoing military role in Europe. As part of a broader package of economic, humanitarian, and military aid, US

March 26, 2024

Some Obsolete Navy Ratings

Pigeon trainers, airship riggers, and buglers—these are just a few of the enlisted Navy ratings (jobs) no longer in use due to technological advances. Let’s take a look at some of these ratings and the part they played in the Navy’s history. (Note: this overview is not all-inclusive.)Ratings Established before or during World War IBugler (BUG) The

March 22, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Robert P. Caudill Jr., USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Robert Paul Caudill on 1 December 2023 at age 87. Rear Admiral Caudill entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in March 1959 and served in the Medical Corps until his retirement in July 1990 as command surgeon for Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command. His commands included Naval

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

Dec. 22, 2023

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral Michael L. Cowan

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral Michael Lynn Cowan, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy, on 10 December 2023 at age 78. Vice Admiral Cowan was drafted into the U.S. Naval Reserve in June 1971 and served in the Medical Corps until his retirement in October 2004 as director of Navy Medicine, 34th Surgeon General of the

Dec. 12, 2023

Uniforms for Changing Times

In the early 1970s, the military’s recruiting and retention efforts drew even greater scrutiny in anticipation of President Richard M. Nixon’s announcement that the United States would end the draft, even as operations continued in support of the Vietnam War. The Department of Defense set July 1, 1973, as the target date for the transition to an

Dec. 11, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral William E. Newman, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral William Edward “Bill” Newman on 4 December 2023 at age 83. Rear Admiral Newman entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1957 and served as a naval aviator and material professional until his retirement in July 1996 as Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center. His other commands included

Dec. 11, 2023

“Naval Liberators Over Biscay”: Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE ZERO THREE’s Actions Over France’s Largest Bay

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

Dec. 1, 2023

In Memoriam: Admiral Leighton W. Smith Jr., USN

 It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Admiral Leighton Warren “Snuffy” Smith Jr. on 28 November 2023 at age 84. Admiral Smith entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1958 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in October 1996 as Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander in Chief, NATO Allied Forces