Category: This Week in Naval History

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This Week in Naval History – March 12,-18, 2023

U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) underway in the South China Sea

March 12, 1956
The first missile firing aircraft squadron, Attack Squadron 83, is deployed overseas aboard USS Intrepid (CVA 11).

March 13, 1952
During the Korean War, counter-battery engagements by USS Manchester (CL 83), USS James E. Kyes (DD 787), USS McGinty (DE 365) and USS Douglas H. Fox (DD 779) are supported by aircraft from Task Force 77 silence enemy guns at Kalmagak during the Siege of Wonsan.

March 14, 1863
A squadron of ships led by Rear Adm. David G. Farragut passes the heavy batteries at Port Hudson, La., to establish blockade of Red River supply lines during the Civil War. USS Mississippi becomes grounded, catches fire and blows up, killing 64.

March 15, 1957
A ZPG-2 airship driven by Cmdr. Jack R. Hunt lands at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., after a flight that began March 4 at South Weymouth, Mass., then circled over the Atlantic Ocean toward Portugal, the African coast and back for a new world record in distance and endurance, covering 9,448 statute miles and remaining airborne 264 hours 12 minutes without refueling.

March 16, 1966
Gemini 8 launches. Former naval aviator Neil Armstrong and Air Force Maj. David R. Scott are on this mission that completes seven orbits in 10 hours and 41 minutes at an altitude of 161.3 nautical miles.

March 17, 1958
The Naval Research Laboratory satellite Vanguard 1 is launched into orbit to test the capabilities of a three-stage launch vehicle and effects of the environment on a satellite and its systems in Earths orbit.

March 18, 2006
While conducting maritime security operations as part of Combined Task Force 150 in the Indian Ocean, USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) return fire on a group of pirates, killing one and wounding five. The incident occurs about 25 nautical miles off the central eastern coast of Somalia in international waters

*Source: Naval History and Heritage Command. https://www.history.navy.mil

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This Week in Navy History – February 26 – March 3, 2023

USS Ranger departing for sea trials in 1957

February 26, 1991
During Operation Desert Storm, A-6E aircraft of VA-155 from USS Ranger (CVA 61) and Marine aircraft bomb Iraqi troops fleeing Kuwait City to Basra.

February 27, 1942
The Battle of the Java Sea begins, where the 14-ship Allied forces (American, Dutch, British and Australian) attempt to stop the 28-ship Japanese invasion of the Dutch East Indies colony of Java. The Japanese, during battles over three days, decimates the Allied forces, sinking at least 11 ships, killing more than 3,370 and taking nearly 1,500 prisoners.

February 28, 1844
An experimental 12-inch gun explodes on board USS Princeton, killing Secretary of State (former Secretary of the Navy) Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Gilmer, and five other dignitaries and injuring 20 people.

March 1, 1953
During the Korean War, USS Valley Forge (CVA 45) aircraft raid the No.1 power plant at Chosen, Korea and heavily damage the strongly defended industrial site.

March 2, 1973
Women begin pilot training to U.S. Navy.

March 3, 1915
The Office of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is established by Congress with Adm. William S. Benson named the first CNO.

March 4, 1991
Iraq releases 10 Desert Storm prisoners of war (six Americans, three of whom were designated MIA), including Navy Lt. Jeffrey Zaun, Lt. Robert Wetzel, and Lt. Lawrence Slade

*Source: Naval History and Heritage Command. https://www.history.navy.mil

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This Day in Navy History – February 14, 2023

The frigate, USS Essex, was built at Enos Briggsm Salem, MA and commisioned on Dec 17, 1799

1813 – The frigate Essex, commanded by Capt. David Porter, becomes the first U.S. Navy warship to round Cape Horn and enter the Pacific Ocean.

1778
Continental ship, Ranger, commanded by John Paul Jones, receives the first official salute to a U.S. Stars and Stripes flag by a foreign government (the French fleet) at Quiberon, France.

1814
The frigate Constitution, commanded by Capt. Charles Stewart, captures the British Lovely Ann off Guiana, the first of four during a five-day period.

1945
USS Gato (SS 212) sinks Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.9 in the Yellow Sea and USS Hawkbill (SS 366) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 4 and Cha 114 in the Java Sea.

1945
Water Tender Second Class Elmer C. Bigelow heroically fights a blaze after USS Fletcher (DD 445) is hit by enemy shelling. Bigelow dies the next day from his injuries. He is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity.” USS Bigelow (DD 942) is named in his honor in 1957.

1998
Guided Missile Destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) is commissioned

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This Week in Navy History – February 7, 2023

1800
USS Essex becomes first U.S. Navy vessel to cross the Equator.

1832
The frigate Potomac, commanded by Capt. John Downes, shells a pirate stronghold at Qualla Battoo, Sumatra, destroying a fort. The day before a Potomac landing party destroys four forts, killing 150 pirates and the pirate leader, Rajah Po Mohamet. The Malays agree not to make further attacks on American ships

1943
USS Growler (SS 215) fights a desperate night battle with the Japanese supply ship Hayasaki, during which the boat’s commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Howard W. Gilmore, rams the enemy ship, badly bending Growler’s bow. Wounded by machine gun fire and unable to go below, Gilmore gives the order “Take her down!” sacrificing himself so his submarine could dive to safety. For his “distinguished gallantry and valor” on this occasion and earlier in the patrol, he is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and promoted one rank.

1945
USS Thomason (DE 203) sinks the Japanese submarine RO 55 off Iba, Luzon. USS Bergall (SS 320) attacks a Japanese convoy and sinks Coast Defense Vessel No. 53 off Cam Ranh Bay. USS Guavina (SS 362) attacks a Japanese convoy and sinks merchant tanker Taigyo Maru, off Saigon, French Indochina while USS Parche (SS 384) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Okinoyama Maru in Tokara Retto.

1955
Seventh Fleet ships begin evacuation of Chinese nationalists from Tachen Islands

1965
In response to a Viet Cong attack on barracks area at Pleiku, South Vietnam, aircraft from carriers, USS Coral Sea, USS Hancock, and USS Ranger attack North Vietnamese area near Donghoi.

1984
Naval Aviator/Astronaut Bruce McCandless II makes the first untethered spacewalk as he flies some 300 feet from the Space Shuttle Challenger in the first test of the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU).

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This Week in Navy History – February 7-13, 2023

U.S. Navy History

This week in U.S. Navy History, February 7-13, marks several important events in the history of the United States Navy.

On February 7, 1943, the U.S. Navy launched the invasion of the Pacific island of Guadalcanal, marking the first major U.S. offensive in the Pacific theater during World War II. The battle for Guadalcanal lasted for six months, with naval forces playing a crucial role in securing the island and helping to turn the tide of the war in the Pacific.

Smoke rises from two Japanese planes shot down during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12 November 1942

On February 9, 1964, the USS Orleck, a destroyer, was decommissioned after over 20 years of service. The Orleck served in World War II and the Korean War and was one of the last destroyers of its kind to be taken out of service by the U.S. Navy.

February 11, 1966, marked the launch of the USS Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The Enterprise served for over 50 years, participating in several conflicts, including the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. It was decommissioned in 2012 and is now a museum ship.

In conclusion, this week in U.S. Naval History is marked by significant events that shaped the course of the U.S. Navy and helped shape the history of the world. These events demonstrate the bravery and dedication of the men and women who have served in the U.S. Navy, and their commitment to protecting the nation and safeguarding freedom and democracy.