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By Dr. Alexis Catsambis and Blair Atcheson, Naval History and Heritage Command, Underwater Archaeology Branch In May of 2000, the Navy established an archaeological research permitting program that promoted research into its historic ship and aircraft wrecks. Fifteen years later, the program was expanded to include all sunken and terrestrial …

USS Constitution, berthed in Boston, Massachusetts, is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat and America’s Ship of State. Built in 1797, she and her crew fought in the War of 1812 and participated in antislavery patrols off the coast of Africa prior to the US Civil War. Commander Claire Bloom joined …

Story by Michael Brayshaw, Lead Public Affairs Specialist Photos Courtesy of Marcus Robbins, Shipyard Historian Before it became a facility dedicated to maintenance and modernization almost 70 years ago, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) used to build ships. In the case of World War II, sometimes 27,000-ton ones. June 3 will …

By Retired Rear Adm. Samuel Cox, director Naval History and Heritage Command In 2016, I had the opportunity to participate in the remembrance ceremony for crew members of USS Nevada (BB 36). Today, we have news that Ocean Infinity and Search Inc., though their research and observation, have discovered the …

Editor’s note: this blog was originally published in the Navy Live blog. By André B. Sobocinski, Historian, US Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery On March 18, President Trump announced Navy hospital ships USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) and Comfort (T-AH-20) were to be activated and deployed stateside to serve as referral centers …

By Cmdr. John Benda, 76th Commanding Officer, USS Constitution On behalf of the crew of USS Constitution, thank you to our partners, fans, and supporters who have celebrated and shared our many accomplishments and events over the years. We also share our trials, and there is no doubt that the …

By Guy Nasuti, Historian, Naval History & Heritage Command On the night of March 28-29, 1945 (LOVE-Day minus three), amphibious assault ship LSM(R)-188 conducted an aggressive harassment patrol only eight miles off the town of Naha, Okinawa Jima. At 0557 on March 29, Japanese suicide dive-bombers appeared overhead, and the crew …

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 …