Nov. 1, 2019

The History of Navy Rank: Warrant Officers

Showing from left: Private, Drummer (Marine Corps), Warrant Officer, Musician, Chief Petty Officer (Master-at- Arms), Private (Marine Corps), Corporal (Marine Corps). Lithograph by Werner, copyright in 1899 by The Werner Company.To outsiders, especially members of the non-maritime services, the U.S. Navy's unique rank structure can be confusing.

Sept. 6, 2019

Today's Midshipman Must Be Tomorrow's Jack Crawford

The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) is hosting a true American hero Friday and helping him celebrate his 100th birthday. In December 1941, Midshipman First Class (a college senior) John "Jack" W. Crawford may have had doubts he'd see his next birthday. In ...

Aug. 27, 2019

The Enduring Journey: A Historical Review of Medical Readiness through Training

With the pressing need for skilled medical personnel in the Korean War the Navy established Field Medical Service Schools (FMSS) in Camp Lejeune, N.C., and at Camp Pendleton, Calif.[i] Between October 1950 and July 1953 over 5,000 Hospital Corpsmen trained as field medical technicians at these schools, among them four individuals who later received

Oct. 25, 2017

John S. McCain III - Lessons from a "Biased" Son on Legacy, Service, Sacrifice

Editor's note: Anyone who has ever worn a military uniform is no stranger to sacrifice; their normal is weeks and months of long working hours under arduous conditions in sometimes inhospitable locations while separated from loved ones. People who have worn military uniforms also understand that, despite those day-to-day sacrifices, they, like many

April 24, 2017

Toughness: Aviation Machinist Mate First Class (AMM1/C) Bruno Peter Gaido

Editor's note: The following is part of NHHC Director Sam Cox's larger "H--gram" series. Inspired by Admiral Zumwalt's series of Z-grams used to communicate with Sailors throughout the Navy, H-grams are an avenue by which NHHC provides significant historical context to aid today's decision-makers. For more information, visit the NHHC Director's

Oct. 6, 2016

An Iconic Figure to Remember, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr.

Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., a U.S. Navy admiral, whose naval career extended from World War II to the Vietnam War, was the youngest admiral to serve as Chief of Naval Operations.As a young man, one of his greatest desires was to become a doctor as both his parents were. But in 1939 he was accepted into the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. In

May 19, 2016

Balancing Act: History and Technology in a Modern Navy

At the Navy League's Sea Air Space Exposition this year, I was fortunate to sit on a panel with peers from the Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps. The question was how today's service men and women seize history's lessons to tackle today's leadership and technology challenges. With a little more than a year as the Director of the Naval History and

Sept. 11, 2014

9/11: The First Act of Defiance against the Enemies of Freedom: A Sailor's Experience at the Pentagon

A combined graphic images of USS New York (LPD 21), USS Somerset (LPD 25) and USS Arlington (LPD 24) all named in honor of the events of September 11, 2001. (Graphic Image by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Clifford L. H. Davis, Naval Histor...

Aug. 2, 2014

PT 59: The PT Boat You Didn't Know About

It may have looked like a speedboat, but beware anything that might threaten its mission. Loaded with two twin .50 cal. M2 Browning machine guns, two 40 mm guns (fore and aft) and four single .30 and .50 cal. machine guns, the water craft had the power to destroy any obstacle that got in its way. That was the power of PT-59.A former Motor Boat