June 8, 2015

French, American Alliance Hastened End of Revolutionary War

First Recognition of the American Flag by a Foreign Government, 14 February 1778 Painting in oils by Edward Moran, 1898. It depicts the Continental Navy Ship Ranger, commanded by Capt. John Paul Jones, receiving the salute of the French fleet at Quiberon Bay, France, 14 February 1778. Earlier in the month, after receipt of news of the victory at

June 2, 2015

Return to Homeport: U.S. Navy Homecoming Traditions

Excitement builds up before Sailors even set foot on the pier. You can hear the excited chatter of family and friends, feel the anticipation in the air, and see the colorful array of homemade signs and t-shirts among the crowd awaiting the arrival of their Sailor. MAYPORT, Fla. (Nov. 23, 2014) Family members and friends of Sailors assigned to the

May 23, 2015

Honoring our Shipmates: The Heritage of the Military Funeral and Burial at Sea

  Honoring the deceased is a centuries-old practice that includes many traditions across cultures. The customs and traditions behind military funerals and burial at sea date as far back as ancient Greece and Rome. In the Navy's culture, as we give the final honor to our shipmates, we employ traditions that not only signify the service of the

May 13, 2015

The Honor of Restoring America's Ship of State

Maintaining USS Constitution's "iron sides" secures a vital part of our nation's great heritage. Since its inception, this ship has fought with and exuded honor, courage and commitment. She is a visible and viable symbol of the value of a well-constructed and well-maintained U.S. Navy, and we cannot permit that illumination of history to be

April 26, 2015

The Evolution of the Good Conduct Medal

WASHINGTON (April 22, 2015) The Good Conduct Badge was established by the Secretary of the Navy on April 26, 1869. The badge was a Maltese cross with a rope-ringed circular medallion at the center. Along the rim of the medallion were the words "Fidelity Zeal Obedience" and at the center, "U.S.N." Made of nickel and measuring about 31mm wide, the

April 12, 2015

Evolution of the Aircraft Carrier

Aircraft carriers are often revered as the "powerhouse of the fleet" because of their size, strength, capabilities and importance to our national security. For nearly 100 years, the aircraft carrier has continued to evolve alongside the technological advancements of our Navy.The U.S. Navy's first aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV 1), was converted

April 12, 2015

USS Theodore Roosevelt Kicks off Operation Deny Flight

When the provinces and states within the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia began to seek independence in 1991 from the culturally-diverse soup of the region known as the Balkans, it was like having the peas and carrots fighting the celery and potatoes. The United Nations got involved to keep the fighting from boiling up into the

April 11, 2015

Naval Battles of the American Revolutionary War

Despite the success of the fledgling Continental Navy during the American Revolution the ending of the war actually brought an end to our nation's first navy. A few months after the British defeat at the Battle of Yorktown Oct. 19, 1781, the British Parliament made its first overtures to the United States to begin peace talks the following spring.

April 1, 2015

Operation Iceberg -- Okinawa Invasion in 1945

Editor's Note: The following photos tell just a brief story of the U.S. Navy's involvement during the Okinawa Invasion and Battle of Okinawa. One of the unique items NHHC has in its archives is an oral history of Cmdr. Frederick J. Becton, commanding officer of destroyer USS Laffey (DD-724), which saw action during the Okinawa operations. All the

March 31, 2015

Silent Professionals: History of the Rank of Chief Petty Officer

Since the days of antiquity, highly skilled seamen have been prized for their knowledge and skill. As vessels grew more complex, duties began to split into different responsibilities, which evolved into a rating system that was first formally organized by the Royal Navy and later adopted by the U.S. Navy. This system of rank and position aboard a