Sept. 13, 2019

Passing of Navy Hero, USS Arizona Survivor, Fire Control Chief Lauren Bruner

Recently I received in the mail a piece of the battleship USS Arizona (BB-39) sent to me by Lauren Bruner - one of the last four living survivors of the ship - as a gesture of thanks for what Naval History and Heritage Command does to keep alive the memory of our Navy veterans.I admit to being incredibly choked up when I opened it, knowing what

Sept. 6, 2019

Today's Midshipman Must Be Tomorrow's Jack Crawford

The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) is hosting a true American hero Friday and helping him celebrate his 100th birthday. In December 1941, Midshipman First Class (a college senior) John "Jack" W. Crawford may have had doubts he'd see his next birthday. In ...

Aug. 27, 2019

The Enduring Journey: A Historical Review of Medical Readiness through Training

With the pressing need for skilled medical personnel in the Korean War the Navy established Field Medical Service Schools (FMSS) in Camp Lejeune, N.C., and at Camp Pendleton, Calif.[i] Between October 1950 and July 1953 over 5,000 Hospital Corpsmen trained as field medical technicians at these schools, among them four individuals who later received

Aug. 6, 2019

Wasp Amphibious Ready Group Reflects Through the Waters of the Coral Sea

For the last two months my flagship, USS Wasp (LHD 1), has sailed through the Coral Sea. We had the privilege to operate with our high-end Australian partners in the Pacific during the bilateral, biennial exercise Talisman Sabre. During this transit through the Coral Sea, we passed through the same waters one of Wasp's namesakes, USS Wasp (CV-7),

July 25, 2019

Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship Edition Part 3

Driving a U.S. Navy warship is a team effort! Read below for information on some of the positions that make up a bridge watch team and learn the historical origins of some of the terms. OFFICER OF THE DECKAt sea, the officer of the deck (OOD) is stationed on the ship's bridge and is in charge of the navigation and safety of the ship. The OOD, often

July 11, 2019

Reaching the Pinnacle: The Origin of Independent Duty Corpsmen (IDCs) in the U.S. Navy

On the night of April 17, 1918, the ammunition ship SS Florence "H" caught fire while moored in Quiberon Bay in the south coast of Brittany, France. As the ship's crew hurriedly pushed crates of smokeless powder off their decks the combustible cargo soon ignited unleashing a series of deadly explosions. In its wake was the sunken hull of the

July 3, 2019

Remembering Capt. Pete Tzomes

A note from the editor: Capt. C.A. 'Pete' Tzomes - the first African American to command a nuclear-powered submarine - died at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, June 13. He was 74. He was the first of the "Centennial Seven," who were the only seven African American men to command submarines during the first 100 years of the

June 26, 2019

Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship Edition Part 2

Basic seamanship is the foundation for a Sailor's life at sea. Whether it's line handling, understanding basic navigation, or just knowing your way around the decks of a ship, understanding basic seamanship plays a role in keeping Sailors organized, oriented and SAFE.In part two of our Seamanship Series, we will explore some terms that relate to

June 14, 2019

NHHC Director Delivers Remarks at USS Missouri Stamp Launch Ceremony

On June 11, 2019, Director of Naval History and Heritage Command Rear Admiral Samuel Cox, U.S. Navy (retired) attended the launch of a USS Missouri (BB 63) commemorative stamp by the U.S. Postal Service. The date of the ceremony coincided with the 75th anniversary of the commissioning of the famed WWII vessel and was held aboard the battleship in

June 7, 2019

Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship Edition Part 1

Basic seamanship is the foundation for a Sailor's life at sea. Whether it's line handling, understanding basic navigation, or just knowing your way around the decks of a ship - understanding basic seamanship plays a role in keeping Sailors organized, oriented and SAFE. In this series of infographics, we will explore the meaning and history behind a