May 25, 2017

Ensign George H. Gay's Fateful Day, June 4, 1942

For Ensign George H. Gay, Jr. of Waco, Texas, the morning of June 4, 1942 began with groggy trepidation. With knowledge of a large Japanese invasion fleet moving towards Midway Island outnumbering the assembled American naval force, Gay did not sleep well. He and his fellow aviators of Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) aboard the carrier Hornet (CV-8)

May 25, 2017

Why Naval History Matters to New York

If you asked anyone around the world to name one of the fifty states that belongs to the United States of America, the answer you'd most likely get is New York. The New York state motto is "Excelsior" and New Yorkers definitely believe that they move "ever upward" just like their 229-year relationship with the U.S. Navy. New York was the 11th state

May 25, 2017

"LOST BACK END CREW"

The letter landed on my desk after I'd been at Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) TWO maybe three months, with the suggestion to "see what you can do with this." A new NFO, I had been given the collateral duty of Public Affairs Officer, which meant occasionally getting requests from retirees for a command ball cap or working with the base PAO

May 23, 2017

Naval History of Oregon

Oregon has more ties to the U.S. Navy than one might initially think.For starters, Oregon's state colors are Navy blue and gold. At least 30 ships have been named after the state of Oregon, its cities, places and people. Three ships bear the state's name, including the future USS Oregon (SSN 793), a Virginia-class attack submarine. The first Oregon

May 17, 2017

Visit a U.S. Navy Museum Near You

Sharing the history and heritage of our Navy honors the past and inspires the future. It builds esprit de corps within the ranks and it can offer valuable strategic and tactical lessons learned - keeping us well ahead of potential adversaries. Headquartered on the historic Washington Navy Yard, D.C., the Naval History and Heritage command includes

May 10, 2017

Naval History of Washington State

The state of Washington is named after President George Washington, who was an early proponent of sea power. He's quoted as saying, "It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious."Washington was the 42nd state admitted to

May 5, 2017

The Battle of The Coral Sea's 75th Anniversary: Intelligence Lessons for Today

May 4th marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, an epic maritime engagement between the U.S. and Imperial Japanese Navies in early World War II.This was history's first sea battle where opposing ships never saw or fired upon each other and only carrier-based aircraft engaged the enemy. The outcome was a tactical draw (each side

May 5, 2017

Battle of the Coral Sea and the Bomb that Changed the Course of the War

Editor's Note: Last night, speaking aboard the museum ship Intrepid at an event honoring the Battle of the Coral Sea, President Donald Trump discussed how impressed he was by the bravery of one American Sailor. It's a sentiment shared by Naval History and Heritage Command Director Sam Cox who recounts the story of the pilot whose honor, courage,

May 4, 2017

Building the Naval Shore Establishment during WWI

How did a small Bureau of less than 100 people support the burgeoning fleet during WWI?In 1916, prior to joining World War I, the United States began a gigantic six-year program of naval expansion. In that year, Congress allowed the Navy to contract for 813,000 tons of new vessels, the biggest step toward naval power the U.S. had taken thus far in

May 3, 2017

The End of the Beginning of the War in the Pacific - The Battle of the Coral Sea

USS Lexington (CV 2) burning and sinking after her crew abandoned ship during the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 8, 1942. Note planes parked aft, where fires have not yet reached. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.  The Battle of the Coral Sea has a claim for an eminent place in the history of Naval Aviation. The closing stages of