Aug. 22, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Richard L. Becker, USNR (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Richard Lee Becker on 23 July 2024 at age 81. Rear Admiral Becker was commissioned an ensign in 1965 and served as a special duty officer (public affairs) until his retirement in July 1996. He served in the Vietnam War aboard USS Harold J. Ellison (DD-864). Dick Becker

Aug. 21, 2024

The Tragic Last Flight of Airship R-38 (ZR-2)

On 24 August 1921, one of the most tragic air disasters in U.S. naval history, as well as one of the most forgotten, occurred in Hull, England. The day started out celebratory as thousands of onlookers came out to witness the British R-38 airship (U.S. Navy airship ZR-2) leave its hangar on Royal Air Force Base Howden for its fourth and final

Aug. 20, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral James R. Fowler, MC, USNR (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral James Raymond Fowler, Medical Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve, on 26 June 2024 at age 87. Rear Admiral Fowler was appointed an ensign in March 1959 and served in the Medical Corps until his retirement in October 1997 as Surgeon General of the Medical Corps for U.S. Naval Reserve in

Aug. 14, 2024

“We pronounce her to be the Non Pareil”: The launching of USS Congress

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

Aug. 9, 2024

100 Years Ago: The U.S. Navy at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris

Any servicemember who wished to train was considered for temporary duty in connection with the Olympic tryouts, which started with regional tryouts in April 1924.Tryouts were held across the country for all sporting events. The servicemembers and civilians competing for the Olympic rifle team gathered at Quantico, Virginia, for the national

Aug. 6, 2024

The U.S. Navy at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium

“We swear that we will take part in the Olympic Games in a spirit of chivalry, for the honour of our country and for the glory of sport.”–Olympic oath, written by Baron Pierre de Courbetin, the founder of International Olympic Committee (IOC), first introduced at VII Olympiad, April 20–September 12, 1920, in Antwerp, Belgium The Navy at the 1920

Aug. 2, 2024

U.S Navy WAVES on Top Secret Duty in America’s Heartland

In 1943, the U.S. Navy began sending groups of WAVES by train from Washington, DC, to Dayton, Ohio, to work on a top secret project.Due to the highly secretive nature of their assignment, the WAVES were not told where they were going or what they would be doing, only that they were headed “west.” Some thought they were going to California and were

Aug. 1, 2024

U.S. Navy Sailors Bear Witness to History: USS San Francisco at the 1896 Olympics in Athens, Greece

This delegation was largely comprised of student-athletes from athletic clubs in New England—most prominently the Boston Athletic Association.Taking a break from cruising the eastern Mediterranean, USS San Francisco anchored at the port of Piraeus to allow sailors to attend the games. Assigned to the European squadron in 1895, it was the flagship

July 23, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Noel Kennedy Dysart Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Noel Kennedy Dysart Jr. on 23 March 2023 at age 79. Rear Admiral Dysart entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in May 1966 and served in the Medical Corps until his retirement in March 2002. His commands included Naval Hospital Groton, Connecticut, and Naval Hospital

July 22, 2024

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral Robert Rawson “Bob” Monroe, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral Robert Rawson “Bob” Monroe on 1 July 2024 at age 96. Vice Admiral Monroe enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in April 1945, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1950, and served as a surface line officer until his retirement in September 1983 as the director of research,