Dec. 1, 2023

Naval Legal Service Command Turns 50

On Nov. 3, 1966, the 22nd Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy, Rear Adm. Wilfred Hearn, spoke about a “legal explosion” during a dedication ceremony in Norfolk, Va., for the Navy’s first-ever Law Center. Hearn told the assembled crowd, “The Law Center is the Navy’s response to the legal explosion which both the military and civilian

Nov. 29, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Francis K. Holian, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Francis Kevin “Fran” Holian on 17 November 2023 at age 78. Rear Admiral Holian entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1964 and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in September 1996 as Commander, Training Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet. His other

Nov. 21, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Raymond R. Couture, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Raymond Roger Couture on 30 October 2023 at age 97. Rear Admiral Couture enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in June 1944 and served as a surface line officer and qualified Judge Advocate General until his retirement in September 1986 as Commander, Military Sealift Command Europe

Nov. 21, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Morton E. Toole, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Morton Egner “Jim” Toole on 12 November 2023 at age 86. Rear Admiral Toole entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman in the U.S. Naval Reserve in September 1954 and served as a surface line officer until his retirement in July 1987 as chief of staff of the U.S. Readiness Command

Nov. 20, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral H. James T. Sears, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Henry James Tipper “Jim” Sears in November 2023 at age 86. Rear Admiral Sears entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in June 1964 and served in the Medical Corps with a specialty in psychiatry until his retirement in November 1989 as Commander, Naval Medical Command, and deputy surgeon

Nov. 1, 2023

“No Comparable Period of Activity”: Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron FIFTEEN’s Actions After Operation Avalanche

 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

Oct. 31, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral George N. “Nick” Gee, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral George Nicholas “Nick” Gee on 1 August 2023 at age 84. Rear Admiral Gee enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in July 1961 and served as a surface line officer until his retirement in October 1994 as Commander, Joint Task Force FOUR (JTF-4). His commands included Limpkin (MSC-195),

Oct. 31, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Mark P. Frudden, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Mark Perrin Frudden on 9 January 2023 at age 95. Rear Admiral Frudden entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1946 and served as a surface line officer until his retirement in September 1980 as Commander, Naval Surface Group Western Pacific (CTF-73). His commands included Quapaw

Sept. 6, 2023

Disaster at Honda Point

One hundred years ago, on 8 September 1923, seven U.S. Navy destroyers ran aground at Honda Point, California, killing 23 sailors in the worst peacetime disaster in the history of the service.

Aug. 31, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Ronald L. Christenson, USN

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Ronald Lee “Rabbit” Christenson on 24 August 2023 at age 75. Rear Admiral Christenson entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1965 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in February 2000 as head of Aviation Manpower and Training (N889) in the Office of

Aug. 30, 2023

“Without a Single Day’s Upkeep”: USS Benson (DD-421) During Operation Husky

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 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 little known

Aug. 14, 2023

The Global Impact of the Spanish-American War

Though the brief Spanish-American War of 1898 is often overshadowed in American public memory by the world wars that followed it, the impact of that earlier conflict reverberated far beyond the shores of its primary battlegrounds in Cuba and the Philippines. The peoples of those two nations on opposite sides of the world suffered the brunt of the

Aug. 14, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral James H. Scott, USN (Ret).

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral James Hernandez Scott on 23 February 2023 at age 96. Rear Admiral Scott entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1945 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in September 1980 as Commander Naval Base Norfolk/Commandant Fifth Naval District. His commands included Attack

July 18, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Donald K. Bullard, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Donald Kenneth Bullard on 11 July 2023 at age 72. Rear Admiral Bullard was commissioned in June 1973 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in February 2008 as the first commander of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). His commands included Strike Fighter

July 18, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Jimmie W. Taylor, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Jimmie Wilkes Taylor on 11 July 2023 at age 89. Rear Admiral Taylor enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a naval aviation cadet in February 1957 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in 1991 as chief of Naval Air Training. His command tours included

June 29, 2023

Nimitz at the Naval Academy: The Plebe Year of One of America’s Most Distinguished Admirals

Plagued by poor health and lacking nautical experience, future Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz persevered and excelled during his plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy which began in 1901.

June 14, 2023

From Beijing to Annapolis: The Journey of the International Gun

U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate First Class Joseph Mitchell built an improvised gun using parts provided by allied nations to defend besieged foreigners in Beijing. Later, the gun was shipped to West Point, prompting a flurry of correspondence until the War Department agreed it belonged at the Naval Academy.

June 13, 2023

In Memoriam: Admiral James B. Busey IV, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Admiral James Buchanan Busey IV on 21 April 2023 at age 90. Admiral Busey enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1952, was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve in February 1954, and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in June 1989 as Commander in Chief, Allied Forces

June 13, 2023

U.S. Industrialization and Naval Technology before the Spanish-American War

When most people think of Civil War-era naval technology, it is generally USS Monitor that comes to mind. The low, iron-covered hull with its distinctive round turret is very different from the wooden-hulled steam frigates that made up most of the Civil War U.S. Navy, with their traditional rigging and sails. But while Monitor was dramatic, both in

June 8, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Burnham C. McCaffree Jr., USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Burnham Clough “Mike” McCaffree Jr. on 13 May 2023 at age 91. Rear Admiral McCaffree enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1948, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1954, and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in 1988 as Assistant Deputy Chief