Naval History Blog

During the late-19th century and early-20th century, musicians from South America, Central America, and Caribbean countries filled vacant ranks in U.S. Navy Bands, swearing an oath of enlistment that afforded a path to American citizenship. Early 20th-century Navy Band rosters prove strikingly diverse. In addition to affording citizenship, music served as a medium to help bring diversity to the U.S. Navy. Of the many attempts to define the American national identity, the most enlightening are those that read American identity as a synthesis of many different influences. Unsurprisingly, American musical identity is also best defined as a synthesis. Forged through… Read the rest of this entry »

Did you know that today, on the 28th of November, 1863, the USS Chippewa convoyed the Army transports Monohansett and Mayflower up Skull Creek, South Carolina, on a reconnaissance mission? I don’t imagine the majority of folks do, unless they are American Civil War buffs, but I learned that particular fact perusing through today’s events in history, looking for a subject for my blog post. While the specifics of this mission (which was successful, by the by) aren’t the subject of my blog post today, looking into this event was the catalyst for what I will be covering: Unadilla-class gunboats…. Read the rest of this entry »

By Capt. R. Mark Stacpoole, U.S. Navy, American Legation, U.S. Naval Attaché, Jakarta, Indonesia I ask you to spend a minute this weekend in remembrance of the 1,082 brave men of the heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA 30). It was in the early hours of March 1st, 73 years ago, that she sailed for the final time into the teeth of enemy fire. While heading for the Sunda Strait, and in concert with the Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth, she ran into the main Japanese invasion force then landing on the island of Java. This force consisted, in its entirety,… Read the rest of this entry »

From Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication Outreach Division The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) announced the winners of its logo design contest, whose work will serve to inspire the new NHHC logo. The winning design (pictured right) came from Nathan E. Quinn, a graphics specialist at the Defense Media Activity. “The main point I was trying to convey with the design is that ‘our past guides our future.’ I have an image of the USS Constitution, which is a long-standing symbol of the Navy. It has persevered through many hardships but still stands today and I think that… Read the rest of this entry »

After three quick months of open and fierce competition to help inspire Naval History and Heritage Command’s next logo, we’ve compiled all 40 submissions. We have to say, there isn’t one that didn’t get us thinking – great work contestants! Now it’s your turn: Tell us what you think! Do any of them have the stuff to knock off the reigning NHHC logo? Click here to view the NHHC logo submissions: Of course, we are assembling a panel here to examine all the submissions, but determining what defines U.S. Navy history and heritage is everyone’s job. We think highly of… Read the rest of this entry »

Establishment of Naval Construction Battalions March 5, 1942 VADM Ben Moreell, CEC, USN circa 1945 December, 1941, with the expected U.S. involvement in the coming World War, Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, Chief of the Navy’s Bureau of Yards and Docks, recommended establishing Naval Construction Battalions. With the attack on Pearl Harbor, his recommendation was approved. March, 5th, 1942  the name SeaBees and the now iconic insignia were officially authorized.   “The SeaBees in World War II,” by Admiral Ben Moreell It is no simple matter to relate the World War II exploits of the SeaBees.

Now Hear This – the GI Film Festival is coming to the Navy Memorial next week! The GI Film Festival, the nation’s first and only military film festival, is coming to the Navy Memorial May 9-15, 2011. We have a week full of celebrity red carpet events, dazzling parties and inspirational films by and about our servicemembers and veterans. Watch a preview here on NAVY TV – there’s also a highlight film of the 2010 Festival. Buy your tickets for the GI Film Festival here and enter code “MIL11” for a discount. See you THERE!