July 22, 2024

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral Robert Rawson “Bob” Monroe, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral Robert Rawson “Bob” Monroe on 1 July 2024 at age 96. Vice Admiral Monroe enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in April 1945, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1950, and served as a surface line officer until his retirement in September 1983 as the director of research,

July 12, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Jerry R. Kelley, MC, USNR

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Jerry Robert Kelley on 30 December 2023 at age 75. Rear Admiral Kelley entered the Medical Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve, in September 1991. He served as a surgeon and then senior health care executive, until his retirement in May 2011 as deputy medical officer of the

July 10, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Donald L. Sturtz, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Donald Lee Sturtz on 15 April 2024 at age 90. Rear Admiral Sturtz entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1951 and served as a naval aviator and then in the Medical Corps until his retirement in March 1991 as fleet surgeon for Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic

July 3, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Kenneth William “Pete” Pettigrew, USNR

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Kenneth William “Pete” (“Viper”) Pettigrew on 23 June 2024 at age 82. Rear Admiral Pettigrew entered the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Program in 1960 at Stanford University and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in January 1998 as Reserve Deputy

June 25, 2024

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral Joseph S. Mobley, USN (Ret).

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral Joseph Scott Mobley on 15 June 2024 at age 82. Vice Admiral Mobley entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1962 and served as a naval flight officer (NFO) until his retirement in June 2001 as Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. His commands included Attack Squadron

June 13, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral E. Inman Carmichael, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) E. Inman “Hoagy” Carmichael on 23 January 2024 at age 90. Rear Admiral Carmichael enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in January 1955 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in August 1988 as director of Logistics Plans Division (OP-40) in the Office of

May 22, 2024

The “Aleutian Stare”: Environment, Morale, and the Mental Health of the Naval Fighting Force

Flipping through the 1945 cruise book of the 138th Naval Construction Battalion (NCB), it’s easy to get lost in the detailed etchings of daily life “On Island X.” Produced by the Welfare and Recreation Department and 138th NCB, the book contains images paired with descriptions of various objects, events, and colloquial phrases familiar to the

April 17, 2024

“Viking of the Sea”: Task Force 124’s Rear Admiral John L. Hall, Jr. Before Operation Overlord

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

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