Oct. 10, 2016

A Visionary for Humanity - Admiral Elmo "Bud" Zumwalt's Legacy

It's a somewhat rare event to know when history is about to happen. Even rarer that you get to plan for it, but when our office learned the commissioning date for the USS Zumwalt would be October 15th, we knew it was going to be big and we knew we had a responsibility as the Naval History and Heritage Command, to share with the American people the

Oct. 6, 2016

An Iconic Figure to Remember, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr.

Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., a U.S. Navy admiral, whose naval career extended from World War II to the Vietnam War, was the youngest admiral to serve as Chief of Naval Operations.As a young man, one of his greatest desires was to become a doctor as both his parents were. But in 1939 he was accepted into the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. In

Oct. 5, 2016

Ask An Archivist Day

In support of #AskAnArchivist, we linked up with one of our own, Suzanne Scott, Naval History and Heritage Command Archivist. She took us through NHHC's stacks and answered our biggest questions along the way. We also got an opportunity to open a few boxes and saw some pretty neat pieces of history!Q: Why does the Navy need an archivist?The Navy

Oct. 4, 2016

The History of Navy Music

Navy Band director Lieutenant Charles Benter (right) and Rear Admiral Benjamin F. Hutchison (left) inspecting the Navy Band's new uniform, at the Washington Navy Yard, D.C., in about 1926. This garb was informally known as the Lion-Tamer Uniform. The original photograph was received from the Bureau of Construction & Repair in 1926.The Navy has 11

Oct. 3, 2016

Manning the Rails: A Navy Tradition

Manning the rail, like the ceremonial military gun salute, is a centuries old practice for rendering honors aboard naval vessels. According to Royal Connell and William Mack's "Naval Ceremonies, Customs, and Traditions," the custom of manning the rail evolves from "manning the yards" (the spars on a mast from which sails are set) and cheering the

Oct. 3, 2016

DING! DING! History and Heritage Blog on Ships' Bells, Arriving!

For centuries, bells have had a long tradition of use in the navies and merchant fleets around the world. From time-keeping, signaling, and sounding alarms to a wide variety of ceremonial uses, ships' bells have long occupied a place of importance in the U.S. Navy. Bells cast from metal were first developed in the Bronze Age.One of the earliest

Sept. 11, 2016

Tough, Bold and Ready, America's 9/11 Ships Defend Freedom and Democracy

From Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach DivisionEditor's Note: Many Americans over the age of 25 remember two worlds, the one before Sept. 11, 2001 and the one after. Although the terror of that day shook the nation, it can be argued that America emerged stronger with a new understanding of and appreciation for freedom

Sept. 7, 2016

VJ Day is an Opportunity to Remember

Editor's note: Rear Adm. Roegge was the keynote speaker at the WWII-end Missouri ceremony on Friday, September 2nd. In his speech, he reflected on the lasting impression the war made on Pearl Harbor and the Navy's major contributions in the victory. Below is an excerpt from his speech. Here, in Pearl Harbor, and onboard the USS Missouri, we have a

Aug. 29, 2016

The Loss of USS Memphis (ACR 10)

From the moment a ship is launched, the ocean is trying to sink it. Only the skill of the ships' crew and the reliability of her machinery can prevent it. One hundred years ago, on Aug. 29, 1916, the ocean suddenly overwhelmed the crew and the technology of the U.S. Navy armored cruiser, USS Memphis (ACR 10) anchored off Santo Domingo, Dominican

Aug. 24, 2016

Exploring Our Past and Forging Our Future: Diving on USS Independence

As I watched the video screen from the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) a half a mile below the ocean, the stern of the World War II light aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVL 22) came sharply into view. It triggered a memory of the opening scene of the film Titanic, where another vehicle comes upon the bow of that tragic vessel, evoking powerful