Nov. 27, 2024

“…in the presence of a great concourse of people…” – The Launch of USS Chesapeake

Editor’s note: On May 10, 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command announced its commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the launch of the first of the U.S. Navy’s six frigates, which began the new United States Navy, including: United States (launched May 10, 1797), Constellation (September 7, 1797), Constitution (October 21, 1797), Congress

Nov. 26, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Thomas C. “Tom” Watson Jr., USN

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Thomas Campbell “Tom” Watson, Jr., on 1 November 2024 at age 93. Rear Admiral Watson entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1950 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in December 1982 as deputy director of planning and resources (J4) on the staff of the Joint

Nov. 26, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Paul L. Foster, SC, USN

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Paul Lowe Foster on 2 November 2024 at age 95. Rear Admiral Foster enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in May 1948 and served in the Supply Corps until his retirement in July 1979 as commanding officer of Naval Aviation Supply Office (NASO), Philadelphia. His previous command as

Nov. 4, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Bernard J. Smith, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Bernard John “Bernie” “B. J.” Smith on 1 November 2024 at age 83. Rear Admiral Smith enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1959, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1965, and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in July 2000 as the first commander of Navy Warfare

Oct. 23, 2024

Maurice Brodsky: An “Average Enlisted Man” at the Battle off Samar

Eighty years ago, a handful of American destroyers, destroyer escorts, and escort carriers faced off against a superior Japanese force of battleships, cruisers, and destroyers at the Battle off Samar (25 October 1944). Task Unit 77.4.3 “Taffy 3’s” small combatants, commanded by Rear Admiral Clifton Sprague, famously attacked Vice Admiral Takeo

Sept. 30, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Mark W. Balmert, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Mark William Balmert on 13 September 2024 at age 70. Rear Admiral Balmert was commissioned in December 1977 from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program at the University of Notre Dame and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in

Sept. 23, 2024

In Memoriam: Robert L. Hanley, USN – Last Living Survivor of USS Houston (CA-30)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Robert L. “Bob” Hanley on 12 September 2024 at age 102. Enlisting in the Navy before the war in January 1941, Hanley was a seaman second class aboard heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30), lost along with light cruiser HMAS Perth in a valiant battle against overwhelming odds in Sunda Strait, Dutch

Sept. 18, 2024

Remembering Resistance: U.S. Navy POWs at the Hanoi Hilton

On Aug. 5, 1964, Lt. j.g. Everett Alvarez, Jr., a young U.S. Navy aviator, had just finished bombing a North Vietnamese patrol boat base in retaliation for the Tonkin Gulf Incident when his Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was struck by enemy fire. After ejecting, he was captured by Vietnamese militia, then interrogated by North Vietnamese officers before being

Sept. 11, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Virgil L. Hill Jr., USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Virgil Lusk “Hap” Hill Jr., on 6 September 2024 at age 86. Rear Admiral Hill entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1957 and served as a submarine officer until his retirement in September 1993 as Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR). His commands

Aug. 28, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Danelle M. Barrett, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Danelle Marie Barrett on 26 August 2024 at age 57. Rear Admiral Barrett entered the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) at Boston University and was commissioned an ensign in August 1989, serving as an information professional until her retirement in October