March 21, 2022

First Carrier to the Fleet: USS Langley in the Interwar Navy

On 20 March 1922, less than two decades after Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first successful sustained flight in a heavier-than-air aircraft, the U.S. Navy commissioned its first aircraft carrier: the 11,500 ton Langley (CV-1).The U.S. Navy led the world in naval aviation prior to World War I after successfully launching the first aircraft

March 17, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Eric Alton McVadon, Jr., USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Eric Alton McVadon, Jr., U.S. Navy (Retired) on 15 February 2022 at age 85. Rear Admiral McVadon entered the U.S. Navy as an NROTC midshipman in 1955 and served as a naval aviator and politico-military policy expert until his retirement in 1992 as the U.S. defense and naval attaché

March 9, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Harry Kenneth Fiske, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Harry Kenneth Fiske, U.S. Navy (Retired) on 4 February 2022 at age 85. Rear Admiral Fiske entered the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) in 1954 and served as a surface line officer until his retirement in 1990 as Deputy Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) for

March 7, 2022

In Memoriam: Admiral Thomas B. Hayward, USN (Ret.), 21st CNO 1924–2022

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Admiral Thomas Bibb Hayward, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 3 March at age 97. Admiral Hayward enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as an aviation cadet in May 1943, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1947, and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in July 1982 as the 21st Chief of Naval

March 4, 2022

Interview with Commander B.J. Farrell, USS Constitution Commanding Officer

INTRODUCTION:On January 21, 2022, history was once again made on the decks of USS Constitution, America’s Ship of State. At twelve noon the change-of-command ceremony bid farewell to Cmdr. John Benda and welcomed Cmdr. Billie J. Farrell as the first female commanding officer in “Old Ironsides’ 224-year history. Cmdr. Farrell, a native of Kentucky,

March 1, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Ronald Charles Wilgenbusch, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Ronald Charles Wilgenbusch, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 25 February 2022 at age 83. Rear Admiral Wilgenbusch enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1956 and served as a surface line officer and materiel professional, with specialty in communications, until his retirement in 1991 as

Feb. 25, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Albert Eugene “Al” Rieder, U.S. Naval Reserve (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Albert Eugene “Al” Rieder, U.S. Naval Reserve (Retired) on 17 January 2022 at age 87. Rear Admiral Rieder enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1952 and served as a surface line officer until his retirement in 1989 as Commander, Naval Base Philadelphia. His commands included Naval

Feb. 25, 2022

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Richard Anthony “Dick” Martini, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Richard Anthony “Dick” Martini, U.S. Navy (Retired) on 31 January 2022 at age 90. Rear Admiral Martini was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1954 and served as a patrol squadron aviator until his retirement in 1984 as director of the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)

Feb. 16, 2022

The passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Horace MacVaugh III, Medical Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Horace MacVaugh III, Medical Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve (Retired) on 24 January 2022 at age 91. Rear Admiral MacVaugh entered the U.S. Navy in 1956 at the rank of lieutenant and served as a medical doctor for over 30 years. Horace MacVaugh graduated from Yale University

Feb. 16, 2022

Command Master Chief Octavia Harris: A Navy Leader Who Looks Out for Others

Over the past 18 months, the Naval History and Heritage Command has highlighted female Navy trailblazers. We’ve shared their stories because women are integral members of the Navy family and serve as valuable role models for the next generation of Navy civilians and Sailors. NHHC is committed to ensuring their stories are remembered and