Tag: Navy history

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US Navy Sailors Visit Busan: A Reminder of the Rich History and Importance of US-Korea Alliance

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA
03.30.2023
Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Tang

Americans for a Stronger Navy is an organization dedicated to supporting the US Navy and promoting a stronger Navy and peace through strength. Our mission is to educate the public on the importance of a strong Navy in maintaining regional stability and national security, and advocate for policies that support a well-funded and well-equipped Navy. By strengthening our military capabilities, we aim to promote peace through strength and deter potential threats.

Historic Visit: US Navy Sailors Visit Busan, A Reminder of the Rich History and Importance of US-Korea Alliance

Today, we want to highlight the recent visit of the US Navy Sailors to Busan, Republic of Korea, and the exercises they participated in alongside Japan and South Korea.

These exercises not only enhance the interoperability and communication between the allied navies but also demonstrate the continued commitment of the US Navy to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The US Navy’s long-standing relationship with Busan serves as a reminder of the importance of our alliances and partnerships in promoting regional stability.

The United States Navy has a rich history of conducting exercises in Korea, and this tradition continues to this day. Recently, U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) visited Busan, Republic of Korea to participate in routine operations and exercises. In this blog post, we will summarize the recent exercises that are in the news, highlight the history of the US Navy’s visits to Busan, and express our gratitude to the men and women of the US Navy assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group.

Recent Exercises:

The recent exercises involving US Navy Sailors, Japan, and South Korea were aimed at enhancing interoperability and communication between the allied navies. These exercises are crucial in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific and maintaining regional stability. The exercises involved multiple ships and aircraft, and included anti-submarine and anti-air warfare drills.

During the exercises, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group conducted a guided tour of Busan, Republic of Korea provided by Morale, Welfare and Recreation. This tour provided an opportunity for the Sailors to experience the local culture and build relationships with the local community.

History of US Navy visits to Busan:

The US Navy has a long history of visiting Busan, Republic of Korea. Busan has a deep-water port that is strategically located at the southern end of the Korean peninsula, making it an important location for US Navy operations. During the Korean War, Busan served as the main port of entry for US troops and supplies. Since then, the US Navy has continued to conduct exercises and operations in Busan, strengthening the relationship between the US and South Korea.

Gratitude to the US Navy:

We would like to express our gratitude to the men and women of the US Navy assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. These Sailors work tirelessly to protect our nation and promote regional stability. Their dedication to duty and professionalism are a testament to the values of the US Navy.

Conclusion:

The recent exercises involving US Navy Sailors, Japan, and South Korea are a reminder of the importance of our alliances and partnerships in maintaining regional stability. The US Navy has a long history of visiting Busan, Republic of Korea, and this tradition continues to this day. We are grateful for the men and women of the US Navy who serve with honor and distinction, and we look forward to the continued partnership between the US and South Korea.

Honoring the Service of US Navy Sailors: A Look at the Pictures from their Historic Visit to Busan

BUSAN, Republic of Korea (March 29, 2023) U.S. Navy Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Keirra Jackson, right, from Nashville, Tenn., and Fireman Autumn Behee, from San Antonio, assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) explore Busan during a Morale, Welfare and Recreation tour. NIMCSG is in the U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin Tang)
U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and members of the Busan Blue Wings display a gesture of sportsmanship following a hockey match. Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin McTaggart)
Lt. John Mulligan guides Sailors assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) during a tour of the demilitarized zone dividing the Korean peninsula. NIMCSG is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Breen)
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Preserving Our Naval Heritage: The Important Mission of the Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA)

The HNSA: Preserving Our Naval Heritage

The HNSA is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving historic naval vessels that played a significant role in our country’s maritime history. These vessels include some of the most iconic ships in the history of the United States Navy, such as the USS Constitution, the USS Missouri, and the USS Iowa.

The Battleship Missouri Memorial rests in the heart of Pearl Harbor offering activities and tours to Hawaii’s visitors from across the world.

The HNSA is committed to ensuring that these historic ships are maintained and preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn from. This organization provides resources and support to its members, which include museums, non-profits, and government agencies. Through its annual conference, the HNSA brings together members from across the country to share knowledge and best practices, and to promote the preservation of historic naval ships.

Why We Should Honor and Support the HNSA

The preservation of our naval heritage is important for many reasons. Our naval history has played a significant role in shaping our country’s identity and values, and it continues to inform our national security strategies and policies today.

The HNSA is an organization that recognizes the importance of our naval heritage, and is dedicated to preserving it for future generations. By supporting this organization, we can ensure that our naval history is not forgotten, and that the lessons learned from it continue to inform our national security decisions.

The Importance of a Strong Navy

The HNSA’s mission is closely tied to the importance of a strong Navy. A strong Navy is essential to our national security, and it plays a crucial role in protecting our interests around the world.

A strong Navy requires more than just modern ships and advanced technology; it requires a deep understanding and appreciation of our naval history and traditions. By preserving and promoting our naval heritage, the HNSA is helping to ensure that we have a strong Navy that can meet the challenges of the future.

Conclusion

The Historic Naval Ships Association is an organization that we should honor and support for its dedication to preserving our naval heritage. Our naval history has played a significant role in shaping our country’s identity and values, and it continues to inform our national security decisions today.

“At Americans for a Stronger Navy, we believe that a strong Navy is essential to our national security. The @HNSA_Shps mission is closely tied to this belief, as preserving our naval heritage is crucial to maintaining a strong Navy for the future. As the saying goes, rising tides lift all boats, and a strong Navy benefits us all.”

By supporting the @HNSA_Shps and visiting its historic ships, families can not only enjoy a unique and educational experience, but also contribute to the preservation of our naval heritage and the strengthening of our Navy. Big Ships, Small Ships, fun for the whole family!”

Follow this link to their website.

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This week in Navy History – March 26 – April 1, 2033

March 26, 1942

Task Force 39, commanded by Rear Adm. John W. Wilcox, Jr., sails from Portland, Maine, for Scapa Flow, Orkeny Islands, Scotland, to reinforce the British Home Fleet due the British Fleets involvement in Operation Ironclad, the British invasion of the Vichy French controlled Madagascar. The following day, Rear Adm. Wilcox, while taking an unaccompanied walk on his flagship, USS Washington (BB 56), is washed overboard and disappears in the heavy seas.

Rear Adm. John W. Wilcox, Jr.

John Walter Wilcox Jr. (22 March 1882 – 27 March 1942) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy. He saw service in World War I and in the opening weeks of United States involvement in World War II before being lost overboard from his flagship in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1942.

March 27, 2007
The last known female veteran of World War I, Charlotte Louise Berry Winters, dies at the age of 109. She enlisted in the Navy in 1917.

March 28, 1953
USS Philippine Sea (CV 47), USS Princeton (CV 37), and USS Oriskany (CV 34) launch 216 sorties against a North Korean supply depot during the Korean War.

March 29, 1960
The first fully integrated Fleet Ballistic Missile system test, an A1X test vehicle, is launched from USS Observation Island (EAG 154).

March 30, 1991
USS Princeton (CG-59) and crew are awarded the Combat Action Ribbon in recognition of the superior and arduous work the crew put in to keep the ship in war-fighting status following the Feb. 18 mining of the ship where three crew members were injured and the ships propeller was damaged during Operation Desert Storm.

March 31, 1917
Rear Adm. James H. Oliver takes possession of the Danish West Indies for the United States, and they are renamed the U.S. Virgin Islands. He also becomes the first governor of the islands under American control.

April 1, 1899
A landing party of 60 men from USS Philadelphia (C 4) and a force of 100 friendly natives join 62 men from HMS Porpoise and Royal Isle in Samoa to establish order over Samoan throne.

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

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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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The Unsung Heroes of World War II: The Collaborative Effort of the U.S., the U.K., and Australia in Defeating the Axis Powers

Press reports from Politico reflect that a plan by the United States, Australia, and the U.K are to share submarine technology as part of a strategic effort to counter Chinese naval power in the Pacific. The three countries have agreed to deepen their defense cooperation and share information on the development of new submarines, including advanced propulsion systems and stealth technology. The plan is aimed at strengthening the allies’ ability to detect and deter Chinese submarines, which have become increasingly active in the region. The article also notes that the plan is likely to further strain the already tense relationship between the three allies and China.

Takeaways:

  • The US, Australia, and the UK plan to share submarine technology as a strategic effort to counter Chinese naval power in the Pacific.
  • The plan includes deepening defense cooperation and sharing information on the development of new submarines with advanced propulsion systems and stealth technology.
  • The aim is to strengthen the allies’ ability to detect and deter Chinese submarines that have become increasingly active in the region.
  • The plan is likely to further strain the already tense relationship between the three allies and China.

The Power of Collaboration: The Story of the U.S., the U.K., and Australia in World War

Historical Context

  • The U.S., the U.K., and Australia collaborated in World War II to defeat the Axis powers.
  • The allies faced significant challenges, including the threat posed by German U-boats in the Atlantic.
  • The U.S. and the U.K. developed a plan to build aircraft carriers capable of tracking and destroying enemy subs
  • Australia provided the necessary shipbuilding expertise to build two carriers, which played a key role in the final months of the war.
  • The collaboration between the three nations continued after the war and remains strong today, reflecting the enduring power of collaboration and shared values.
  • In the early days of World War II, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia came together in a collaborative effort to defeat the Axis powers. The three nations formed an alliance that would prove to be instrumental in turning the tide of the war.

As the war raged on, the Allies faced numerous challenges and setbacks. One of the most significant was the threat posed by German U-boats, which were wreaking havoc on Allied shipping in the Atlantic. To combat this threat, the U.S. and the U.K. came up with a plan to build a new type of vessel – an aircraft carrier that could launch planes capable of tracking and destroying enemy subs.

The U.S. and the U.K. quickly realized that they didn’t have the resources to build these carriers on their own. They needed help from a nation with a strong naval tradition and the necessary shipbuilding expertise. That nation was Australia.

Australia eagerly joined the project and quickly set to work building two of these new carriers – the HMAS Melbourne and the HMAS Sydney. The carriers were launched in 1945 and played a key role in the final months of the war, helping to track down and destroy numerous German U-boats.

The collaboration between the U.S., the U.K., and Australia didn’t end with the war, however. In the years that followed, the three nations continued to work closely together on a wide range of issues, from defense to trade and beyond.

Today, the bond between the U.S., the U.K., and Australia remains strong, a testament to the enduring power of collaboration and the shared values that unite us all.

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Celebrating Women in the U.S. Navy

Women in the Navy Timeline Infographic

The Navy is celebrating Women’s History Month: admiral says females ‘can do anything in today’s military’ and the Americans for a Stronger Navy is covering the news.

Press reports reflect that in 2023, Naval Station Norfolk gets its first Black woman commanding officer, while the Blue Angels get their first female F/A-18 E/F demonstration pilot.

For the Navy, 2023 has been a year of firsts.

Captain Janet Days became the first Black woman to become the commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk for the first time in the base’s 106-year history.

2023 also saw former Naval Air Station Oceana pilot Lt. Amanda Lee becoming their first female F/A-18E/F demo pilot for the Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels.

According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, the first women to serve in the U.S. Navy were nurses, beginning with the Navy Nurse Corps in 1908.

In 1974, the Navy designated the first woman as an aviator.

The U.S. Naval Academy admitted its first women in 1976.

In 1994, the Navy issued the first orders for women to be assigned aboard a combatant ship, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In 2010, the Navy lifted its ban on women serving aboard submarines.

And although the Navy has yet to have its first female Navy SEAL, a woman completed the grueling 37-week course last year to become the Navy’s first Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman.

On Monday, a group of female military leaders discussed women’s role in 2023, as part of the Department of Defense’s annual Women’s History Month celebration every March.

“I know when I came in the Navy in 1985, a lot of the doors were closed,” said the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti. “And now, 10 years after the repeal of all combat exclusions, I can see that the doors are not just open, but they’re completely gone. And I think the question for women today is no longer, ‘What can I do?’ It’s ‘What do I want to do?’ because you can do anything in today’s military.”

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Who’s Who – John Paul Jones, Father of the U.S. Navy

A 1781 painting of Jones by Charles Willson Peale

Revolutionary War naval hero John Paul Jones

At the intersection of 17th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington D.C. stands an overlooked statue of John Paul Jones, the most recognized naval hero of the American Revolution. Some also regard Jones as the father of the United States Navy.

John Paul Jones was born simply John Paul in the Scottish village of Kirkcudbrightshire in 1747 and went to work at sea at the tender age of 13. In 1774, as a young merchant ship captain, John Paul moved to Virginia and added the Jones to his name. When the American Revolution began, he was quickly recruited as one of our first naval officers. He quickly rose to command: first of the sloop Providence, then the brig Ranger and eventually the great ship Bonhomme Richard. The Bonhomme Richard was a former French merchant ship donated and rearmed for the US Navy. Jones would name the ship for his patron, Benjamin Franklin.

Jones won his greatest victory on September 23, 1779 off Flamborough Head in Northeastern England. A Franco-American squadron commanded by Jones attacked a British convoy. During the battle, the Bonhomme Richard became locked in combat with a superior British frigate the HMS Serapis. At first, the Americans bore the brunt of the fighting with the Bonhomme Richard catching fire and flooding the bottom five feet of its hold. Convinced of an impending victory, the British Captain Richard Pearson called on Jones to surrender. Jones reportedly replied, “Surrender? I have not yet begun to fight!”

Two hours into the duel, the ships became entangled. Jones would win the battle with fighting at close quarters. After a valiant resistance the HMS Serapis surrendered. Jones would transfer his flag and his crew to the Serapis, after the battle, when the Bonhomme Richard sank from its battle damage. 

Afterwards Jones was recalled to the United States to take command of the young nation’s first sailing battleship the USS America. Before he could return to the fight the war ended and the Navy was disbanded. Jones would go on to a colorful postwar career that included a stint as an admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy.

Tragically, John Paul Jones would die of illness in Paris in 1792 at the age of 45. He was interred at the Paris Saint Louis Cemetery for Foreign Protestants. The French, anticipating the US government would one day wish to return Jones’s remains to America, buried him in an expensive lead casket that was filled with rum for preservation. 

In 1905, after an extensive four-year search funded by the US Ambassador Horace Porter, Jones’s body was rediscovered. President Theodore Roosevelt would have Captain John Paul Jones reinterred at a specially built chapel at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Renewed interest in John Paul Jones led to Congress allocating $50,000 in June 1909 for a memorial to be built for him on the National Mall.

The memorial includes a bronze statue of Jones, 10 feet high, sculpted by Charles Henry Niehaus of New York City. It shows Jones standing with his left hand on the hilt of his sword. The rest of the memorial has a 15-foot marble pylon behind him, with two bronze dolphins on either side shooting water. This part was designed by the firm of Carrere & Hasting also of New York City.

The john Paul Jones Memorial was dedicated on April 17, 1912 which, by happenstance, was just two days after the British steamship Titanic sank. The memorial was dedicated by President William Howard Taft. The statue was unveiled by Spanish American War hero Admiral George Dewey. 

Jones is also remembered by his adversaries. The quaint Scottish cottage on the estate of Arbigland, where the gardener’s son, the future John Paul Jones, grew up has been preserved as a museum. Furthermore, the British Port of Whitehaven, raided by Captain Jones during the American Revolution, decided to pardon him in 1999.

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This Day in Navy History – February 17, 2023

Housatonic was launched on 20 November 1861, by the Boston Navy Yard at Charlestown, Massachusetts,

On This Day

1864
While at anchor off Charleston, S.C., the Steam Sloop of War USS Housatonic is attacked by the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley using a spar torpedo. USS Housatonic is recorded as the first warship to be sunk by a submarine.

1942
The first Construction Battalion (Seabees) arrives in the Pacific during World War II at Bora Bora, Society Islands.

1944
USS Nicholas (DD 449) sinks the Japanese submarine I-11 in the Marshall Islands.

1944
During Operation Hailstone, aircraft from the nine aircraft carriers of Task Force 58 attack the Japanese fleet at Truk. During the 2-day strike, 33 Japanese vessels are destroyed and nine more damaged.

1945
While wounded and gravely weakened, Medal of Honor Recipient Lt Rufus G. Herring takes the helm of the Landing Craft Infantry Gunboat (LCI(G)-449), which was heavily hit by Japanese counter-fire, rallies his men, and keeps the ship in action protecting UDT swimmers.