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By: Samuel J. Cox RADM, USN (retired)Director of Naval History, Curator for the NavyDirector, Naval History and Heritage Command A note from the editor: Donald Stratton, who served in the Navy aboard USS Arizona (BB 39) during the attacks at Pearl Harbor, and later in the Western Pacific, passed away February …

Naval History and Heritage Command’s Communication and Outreach Division The Battle of Iwo Jima began on February 19, 1945 as Sailors and Marines faced Imperial Japanese forces over the control of the island. The island was a critical point for the United States as it planned their attacks on the …

By: Samuel J. Cox RADM, USN (retired)Director of Naval History, Curator for the NavyDirector, Naval History and Heritage Command A note from the editor: Admiral James L. Holloway III, USN (Ret.), the twentieth Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), passed away on November 26, 2019, at the age of 97. Holloway …

M.C. Farrington, Hampton Roads Naval Museum Note: This blog is also featured on the Hampton Roads Naval Museum’s blogspot page.  A page from the USS John F. Kennedy (CVA 67) christening program contained in the Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Personal Papers held by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. …

On October 26, 2019, a Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Outreach team composed of Archivist Amanda Shaw, Public Affairs Specialist Alura Romero, Historian Dr. Richard Hulver, and Curator Tonia Deetz Rock. attended the commissioning of the newest Indianapolis into the Navy, LCS-17. Attending such events is part of the …

REAR ADMIRAL H. WYMAN HOWARD, IIICommander, Special Operations Command Central My grandfather Hugh Wyman Howard and his brother Curtis William Howard both attended the United States Naval Academy in the late 1930s, separated by a year in the classes of 1937 and 1938, respectively.  Our family’s long history with the …

By Nicholas Roland, Historian, Naval History and Heritage Command To outsiders, especially members of the non-maritime services, the U.S. Navy’s unique rank structure can be confusing. The history of Navy ranks is equally complicated, and includes an assortment of ranks that no longer exist and some that have disappeared, reappeared, …

By Nicholas Roland, Historian, Naval History and Heritage Command From left: First Class Petty Officer, Third Class Petty Officer, Lieutenant (j.g.), Lieutenant Commander, and Commander. Uniforms of the U.S. Navy 1951-1952  To outsiders, especially members of the non-maritime services, the U.S. Navy’s unique rank structure can be confusing. The history …

Nicholas Roland, Historian Naval History and Heritage Command 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 …

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 23, 2014) Lauren F. Bruner, USS Arizona survivor, talks to Sailors and Marines assigned to amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) about his experiences during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Bruner joined the U.S. Navy in 1938 just after his 18th birthday and is one of …