Dec. 16, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Richard C. Macke, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Richard Chester “Dick” Macke, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 7 December 2022 at age 84. Rear Admiral Macke entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1956 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in 1996 following his last assignment as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command.

Dec. 12, 2022

Admiral Chester Nimitz Takes Command in the Aftermath of Pearl Harbor

On the morning of 16 December 1941, nine days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was working at his desk in the U.S. Navy’s Bureau of Navigation when he was summoned to the office of Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox. Exhausted from working more than a week with little sleep, Nimitz trudged over to Knox’s

Dec. 2, 2022

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral John M. Mateczun, MC, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral John Matthew Mateczun, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 7 November 2022 at age 76. Vice Admiral Mateczun entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in November 1976 and served in the Medical Corps as a psychiatrist and senior health care executive until his retirement in April 2012

Nov. 28, 2022

Daisy Chains and Torpedoes at Tassafaronga, 30 November 1942

Fatigue, dehydration, and starvation plagued thousands of Imperial Japanese ground troops scattered across Guadalcanal in November 1942. Recent attempts to resupply these forces via “the Tokyo Express”—the employment of Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) destroyers to deliver supplies and equipment from Rabaul to Guadalcanal—were unsuccessful as American

Nov. 18, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Jon M. Barr, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Jon Michael “Mike” Barr, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 26 October 2022 at age 84. Rear Admiral Barr entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1957 and served as a submarine officer until his retirement in April 1996 as commander, Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC). His commands

Nov. 17, 2022

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral James A. Sagerholm, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral James Alvin Sagerholm, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 3 November 2022 at age 94. Vice Admiral Sagerholm enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1946 and served as a surface line officer, submarine officer, and in intelligence billets until his retirement in November 1985 as the chief of

Nov. 16, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Albert L. Kelln, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Albert Lee “Al” Kelln, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 17 October 2022 at age 92. Rear Admiral Kelln entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1948 and served as a submarine officer until his retirement in July 1980 as deputy director/vice director for management and operations, Defense

Nov. 9, 2022

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral William H. Rowden, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral William Henry “Bill” Rowden, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 15 October 2022 at age 92. Bill Rowden entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1948 and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in October 1988 as Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command. His other commands

Nov. 2, 2022

Radio over Radar: Night Fighting Chaos at Guadalcanal (12-13 November 1942)

The tropical evening sun fell beyond the horizon in the southern Solomon Islands, showering the area in brilliant hues of salmon and auburn. In this distance, cracks of lightning peeled across the sky as charcoal clouds billowed into the area. Early that evening, 12 November 1942, Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan received a report indicating that

Oct. 26, 2022

Navy and NOAA Search for U.S. Schooner Alligator near the 200th Anniversary of Its Loss

In early September 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) collaborated on a project to locate and study one of the U.S. Navy’s historic wrecks from the early 19th century, the schooner Alligator. The two week project, which took place in

Oct. 19, 2022

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral David M. Bennett, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral David Michael “Dave” Bennett, United States Navy (Retired), on 9 October 2022 at age 87. Vice Admiral Bennett enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in October 1957 and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in September 1995 as Navy Department Inspector General. His

Oct. 13, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Donald P. Harvey, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Donald Phillips “Don” Harvey, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 25 September 2022 at age 98. Don Harvey enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in March 1943 and served as a naval intelligence officer until his retirement in September 1978 as the Director of Naval Intelligence/Commander Naval

Oct. 12, 2022

USS Constitution Launches – “A Magnificent Spectacle!” – Part II

Editor’s Note: On May 10, 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command began commemorating the 225th anniversary of the launch of the first of the U.S. Navy’s six frigates (United States), which began the new United States Navy. The launch of the frigates is a significant moment in both U.S. Navy and American history, and the U.S. Navy’s earliest

Oct. 5, 2022

Variation on a Theme: Groping Blindly in the Dark at Savo Island and Cape Esperance

Low-hanging clouds drifted listlessly across a moonless sky on a tropical midsummer night. The occasional thunderclap stirred the silence and temporarily illuminated the otherwise calm seas that enveloped the Solomon Islands. In the months following the initial July 1942 occupation of Guadalcanal by Japanese forces, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

Sept. 20, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral James Granville Storms III, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral James Granville Storms III, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 19 July 2022 at age 90. Rear Admiral Storms entered the Naval Reserve in September 1951 and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in September 1986 as Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Surface Warfare

Sept. 20, 2022

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral Albert Joseph Herberger, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral Albert Joseph Herberger, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 26 August 2022 at age 91. Vice Admiral Herberger was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve in February 1955 and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in April 1990 as deputy commander-in-chief/chief of staff for

Sept. 19, 2022

“…she will be one of the finest vessels that ever floated” – The First Attempts to Launch USS Constitution – Part I

Editor’s Note: On May 10, 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command began commemorating the 225th anniversary of the launch of the first of the U.S. Navy’s six frigates (United States), which began the new United States Navy. The launch of the frigates is a significant moment in both U.S. Navy and American history, and the U.S. Navy’s earliest

Sept. 16, 2022

When Bud Met Mouza: The Zumwalts' Whirlwind Romance and Lifelong Love

Mouza Coutelais-du-Roche married Lieutenant Elmo Zumwalt Jr. after a three-week whirlwind romance in Shanghai. The challenges she faced adapting to both a new country and life as a Navy spouse inspired her lifelong mission to support Navy families.

Sept. 2, 2022

“A Better Launch I Never Saw”: The Creation of the Frigate Constellation

Editor’s Note: On May 10, 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command began commemorating the 225th anniversary of the launch of the first of the U.S. Navy’s six frigates (United States), which began the new United States Navy.  The launch of the frigates is a significant moment in both U.S. Navy and American history, and he U.S. Navy’s earliest

Aug. 24, 2022

“Shoot ‘Em Up”: Operation Lion’s Den, 27 August 1972

“Another experience as Command of Seventh Fleet was the fact that the Joint Chiefs of Staff, probably due to some urging by our admirals back in Washington, decided that this was a great opportunity to show the capabilities of our ships to provide gunfire support.” Leaning back against his chair with the first button of his finely-pressed collared