Nov. 18, 2014

Tending the Side: A Navy Tradition

Welcoming dignitaries and visitors of special attention aboard ships carries with it the ancient nautical custom of tending the side. In modern age, the physical process of coming aboard a ship is as simple as walking up a ladder gangway, but in the age of sail the process proved to be a complex and tedious occasion.In the age of sail ships were

Nov. 18, 2014

History and Display of Military Awards and Ribbons

The practice of using military decorations to honor individuals or fighting organizations dates back to antiquity.Early awards were usually used to recognize leaders in the nobility and military class of society. According to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, the Egyptians had the Order of the Golden Fly, a golden necklace that they decorated with

Nov. 13, 2014

USS Juneau and Four Brothers You May Not Know About

In 1942, at the Battle of Guadalcanal, the light cruiser USS Juneau met her fate, taking with her the five Sullivan brothers.You've heard their story and their memory lives on in a ship named for them and a crew that serves in their honor. However, had it not been for a serendipitous Navy memo, the sinking of Juneau might have resulted in a

Nov. 5, 2014

Sink or Sail: The Options for a Continental Navy Hurting for Professional Military Sailors

Commodore Esek Hopkins (1718-1802), Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy, 1775-1777. Painting by Orlando S. Lagman, after a 19th Century engraving by J.C. Buttre. Naval History and Heritage Command PhotoAs the American colonies came closer to waging outright war against Great Britain, the Continental Congress was faced with determining how

Oct. 7, 2014

Tomahawk Missiles Brought Power to the Punch During Operation Enduring Freedom

It was 13 years ago today, in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Operation Enduring Freedom began against the Taliban and Al Qaeda holed up in the mountain ranges of Afghanistan. The U.S.-led coalition launched tomahawk missiles against terrorist training camps and military installations. First among them came from destroyer John Paul Jones

Oct. 6, 2014

The POW/MIA Table: A Place Setting for One, A Table for All

If you've ever been to a military ball, stepped inside a chow hall, or attended an event at a military veterans association in your local community, you've likely noticed the small, round table that is always set but never occupied - the prisoners of war/missing in action (POW/MIA) table. The tradition of setting a separate table in honor of our

Oct. 2, 2014

Washington Navy Yard: A Celebrated Legacy of Service to the Fleet

The Washington Navy Yard was established Oct. 2, 1799, the Navy's first and oldest shore base. At first it was built as a shipyard, under the careful guidance of its first commandant, Capt. Thomas Tingey. And then during the War of 1812 we famously burned it down (not the British) and then our neighbors looted it (again, not the British).The base

Sept. 30, 2014

USS Nautilus Plankowner Shares Experience Working on Boat, with Rickover

Henry Nardone Sr. was a "fresh-caught" lieutenant junior grade when he became a project manager on USS Nautilus. Today, at 92 "and counting," Nardone attended the 60th anniversary of the commissioning of the first nuclear-powered submarine at the Submarine Forces Museum and Library in Groton, Ct. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class

Sept. 30, 2014

USS Nautilus and the U.S. Navy Get Underway on Nuclear Power

For the cost of a laptop today, the Navy's nuclear propulsion program began 77 years ago. It could only have been a Navy physicist who upon observing the energy created by the splitting of uranium atoms, would also wonder if that could be used for propulsion at sea. It was in 1939 when Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) scientists met to determine if

Sept. 25, 2014

Fit to Fight: American Shipbuilding and Salvage Comes Through in the Wake of Pearl Harbor

This is the final chapter in a 3-part series about the salvage operation that brought USS West Virginia (BB 48) back to the fleet 70 years ago Sept. 23, 1944. She had been hit by seven torpedoes and two bombs during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Click for Part 1 and Part 2.Lessons noted, lessons learnedThe Pearl Harbor Salvage Division