Platforms

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. …

Frank Thompson, Deputy Assistant Director for Collection Management  Naval History and Heritage Command Thompson looks over historical documents and records after the discovery of IJN Akagi. Courtesy PaulAllen.com During the first six months of the Pacific War in 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy wielded one of the most fearsome weapons …

By Naval History and Heritage Command Communication and Outreach Division  The state of New Jersey has a history as rich as any in the United States. Because of its location near the center of the original thirteen colonies (between New York City and Philadelphia), the “Garden State” played an important …

Editor’s note: Planning is critical to success, but innovation and initiative during battle is a necessary part of combat. As part of CNO’s effort to apply lessons from our history to better prepare today’s Sailors for battle, we explore Operation Neptune and how Destroyer captains’ quick thinking and decisive actions …

    By Michael Brayshaw, Norfolk Naval Shipyard Lead Public Affairs Specialist A 50-mile stretch of beaches determined the fate of the western world. Many know the fundamental facts about D-Day, marking its 75th anniversary this year. It was the day more than 155,000 American, British and Canadian forces stormed …

Editor’s note: on May 8, 2019, Rear Adm. John B. Mustin, Deputy Commander of U.S. Second Fleet and Naval Surface Force Atlantic, spoke at an event hosted by New York City Council Member Eric Ulrich. The event commemorated the 100th anniversary of the first transatlantic flight and renamed a street …

By Ryan Peeks, Ph.D. Naval History and Heritage Command The Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942) was the first carrier vs. carrier battle in history—the opposing Australian-American and Japanese fleets never sighted each other. Though tactically inconclusive, the battle blunted a Japanese offensive aimed at capturing Port Moresby …

By Sam Cox, Director, Naval History and Heritage Command On the late afternoon of 14 April 1988, the frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) was fighting for her life after striking a deliberately-laid Iranian moored contact mine in the central Arabian Gulf.  As the fire raged seemingly out of control and …

By Margherita M. Desy, Historian, Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston “Whereas the depredations committed by the Algerine corsairs on the commerce of the United States render it necessary that a naval force should be provided for its protection…” The fledgling United States was in a difficult position in 1794.  …

By Daniel Garas, Naval History and Heritage Command Before it entered World War II, the United States Navy realized aviation would play a significant role in the upcoming conflict. In order to deal with this emerging threat, its ships would need to be outfitted with capable anti-aircraft systems. Throughout the …