Dec. 4, 2014

Giving His All: Naval Pilot Crash Lands to Save Fellow Aviator

 The city of Fall River, Mass. was just like every other major city in the United States during the beginning of World War II. Young men were eager to join the military and do their part for their country, including a young man named Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. whose family owned and operated a chain of grocery stores. Hudner was an average student at

Nov. 26, 2014

Prelude to War: Japanese Strike Force Takes Aim at Pearl Harbor

The road to war between Japan and the United States began in the 1930s when differences over China drove the two nations apart. In 1931 Japan conquered Manchuria, which until then had been part of China. In 1937 Japan began a long and ultimately unsuccessful campaign to conquer the rest of China. Then in 1940, the Japanese government allied itself

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