This Week in Naval History

28 Feb 1893: First true US Navy battleship, USS Indiana launched

On 28 February 1893, the first true US Navy battleship, USS Indiana (BB 1), was launched. During the Spanish-American War, she operated in the Caribbean and participated in the Battle of Santiago, Cuba. During WWI, Indiana served as a training ship. Decommissioned in January 1919 and with a name change to Coast Battleship #1, she was used for ordnance tests and sunk in November 1920.

1 March 1942: VP-82 Hudson bomber sank German Submarine U-656

1 March 1942, Ensign William Tepuni, USNR, piloting a Lockheed Hudson, PBO, of VP-82 based at Argentia, Newfoundland, attacked and sank the U 656 southwest of Newfoundland—the first German submarine sunk by U.S. forces in World War II. Before being sunk, U 656 served on two war patrols but didn’t sink any Allied vessels. 

2 March 1973: 1st 4 Women began US Navy flight training

On 2 March 1973, the first four women began US Navy flight training to become Naval Aviators. The women were: Lieutenant Junior Grade Barbara A. Allen (Rainey); Lieutenant Junior Grade Judith A. Neuffer; Ensign Jane M. Skiles, and Ensign Kathleen L. McNary.

3 Mar 1915: Chief of Naval Operations Rank Established

On 3 March 1915, the Office of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) was established by Congress. Under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, the CNO is charged with the operations of the fleet and with the preparation and readiness of plans for its use in war. Admiral William S. Benson was the first CNO. Currently serving as the 30th CNO is Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert.

4 Mar 1825: US Navy captured Caribbean Pirates

On 4 March 1825, the schooner Grampus, commanded by Lieutenant Francis H. Gregory, captured a pirate sloop off the southern coast of Puerto Rico. Also on this date, Lieutenant Junior Grade G. Pendergast, sailing in a prize sloop with 26 men, engaged a pirate sloop in a 40-minute action. The sloop was captured after much loss of life. Some of the pirates escaped ashore to Boca del Inferno, West Indies, where they were imprisoned by the Spanish.

5 Mar 1942: Seabees name and insignia authorized

On 5 March 1942, the "Seabees" name and insignia were officially authorized. Rear Admiral Ben Moreell personally furnished them with their official motto: Construimus, Batuimus -- "We Build, We Fight."

6 Mar 1822: USS Enterprise captured 4 pirate ships

On 6 March 1822, the schooner Enterprise captured four pirate ships in Gulf of Mexico. During her time in the Gulf, Enterprise took 13 vessels while suppressing pirates, smugglers, and slaves.

This Week in Naval History

1 Feb 1942: USS Enterprise and USS Yorktown activity
On 1 February 1942, USS Enterprise (CV 6) and USS Yorktown (CV 5) made the first WWII air strike against the Japanese outposts in the Marshall Islands to protect the Trans-Pacific supply route to Australia. To read more about USS Yorktown, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-xz/cv5.htm To read more about USS Enterprise, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/cv6.htm

2 Feb 1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
On 2 February 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War. Ratified by the Senate in March, it provided the U.S. boundary be set at the Rio Grande in Texas and the title of New Mexico and Upper California be transferred. In exchange, Mexico received fifteen million dollars in compensation for the territory and the U.S. agreed to assume claims from private citizens of these areas against the Mexican government. To read the treaty from the National Archives website, please click here: http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=26&page=transcript

3 Feb 1863: USS Sonoma captured British runner Springbok
On 3 February 1863, during the Civil War, the "double-ender" side wheel steam gunboat Sonoma, commanded by Commander Stevens, captured the blockade running British bark Springbok off the Bahamas. To read more about USS Sonoma, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-s/sonoma.htm

4 Feb 1779: John Paul Jones took command of Bonhomme Richard
On 4 February 1779, John Paul Jones took command of Bonhomme Richard (formerly Duc de Duras), which was given by King Louis XVI of France. Jones renamed Bonhomme Richard to honor Benjamin Franklin, the American Commissioner at Paris whose famous almanacs had been published in France under the title Les Maximes du Bonhomme Richard. To read more about USS Bonhomme Richard, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b8/bonhomme_richard-i.htm

5 Feb 1971: Apollo 14 mission
On 5 February 1971, Capt Alan B. Shepard, Jr., Apollo 14 Commander, and Cdr Edgar D. Mitchell, Lunar Module Pilot became the 5th and 6th human to walk on the Moon. During the 9 day mission, 94 lbs of lunar material was collected and Shepard became the first person to hit a golf ball on the moon. Recovery was by helicopter from USS New Orleans (LPH-11). To read indepth about Apollo 14, please click here for the Smithsonian website: http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/imagery/apollo/AS14/a14.htm

6 Feb 1862: US Navy forces capture Fort Henry
On 6 February 1862, during the Civil War, Naval forces, under Flag Officer A. H. Foote, captured strategic Fort Henry on the Tennessee River. This breached the Confederate line and opened the flood gates for the flow of Union power deep into the South. Vessels included: Union gunboat squadron – USS Essex, USS Carondelet, USS Cincinnati, St. Louis, and wooden gunboats USS Tyler, USS Conestoga, and USS Lexington. To read the Navy Civil War Chronology from 1862, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/wars/civilwar.htm#1862