By Norman Polmar (Editor’s note: This is the 23nd in a series of blogs by Norman Polmar—author, analyst, and consultant specializing in the naval, aviation, and intelligence fields. Follow the full series here.) I knew Don Engen for a very brief period. Still, he had a significant influence on me. Vice Admiral Engen dropped out
FIGHT Colds! FIGHT Fatigue! FIGHT Weakness! FIGHT Infection! FIGHT Absenteeism! One of the more fascinating aspects of the Second World War was the use of propaganda on home front society. In Propaganda, Edward Barnays notes the limited use of the practice prior to the First World War. By the time hostilities erupted in 1914, however,
By Captain George Stewart, USN (Retired) This is the first of three articles that describe my experiences while serving as an engineer aboard commercial tankers in 1961. These articles provide perspective on the different engineering practices between the Navy and Merchant Marine in the post World War II-era. As will become apparent, there were some
By Norman Polmar (Editor’s note: This is the 22nd in a series of blogs by Norman Polmar—author, analyst, and consultant specializing in the naval, aviation, and intelligence fields. Follow the full series here.) Everybody likes Fred Rainbow. At least that is a widely held perception. At times it has gotten embarrassing. For example, when
“Kin had the intelligence, integrity and industry in a measure you rarely see. He had the ability to voice the unpopular truth, to say, in a gathering, what others wished they had the nerve to utter.” Bruce DeMars Admiral U.S. Navy (Retired) NHF Chairman “Smart, no-nonsense, dedicated, always focused on the job. first classmate to
By John Grady The Navy was more successful in its campaigns like Port Royal, S.C. and New Orleans than the Army during the American Civil War particularly in the Virginia Theater. According to Pulitzer Prize-winning author James McPherson, it was “partially due to the professionalism of Navy leadership in high positions.” Dr. McPherson answered these
By Col. Rod Andrew Jr. USMCR, U.S. Marine Corps History Division, Marine Corps University, Quantico, VA, (2013) Reviewed by Col. Curt Marsh, USMC (Ret.) This booklet documents a notable battle in Marine Corps history. Colonel Andrew is a professor of history at Clemson University who served as an artillery officer during Operation Desert Storm. Andrew
By Lt. Cdr. John L. Dickey; Revised by David W. McComb, Merriam Press, Bennington, VT, (2013) Reviewed by Samuel Loring Morison Not since the U.S. Naval Institute published Commander John Alden’s famous Flush Decks and Four Pipes in 1965 has such a study been published. A Family Saga is twice the length of Commander Alden’s
The Naval War of 1812 “America’s Second War of Independence:” Collections of William I. Koch and the U.S. Naval Academy Museum By Dr. William S. Dudley with Dr. J. Scott Harmon, United States Naval Academy. Annapolis, MD, (2013) In Their Own Words: The Navy Fights the War of 1812 By Vice Adm. George W. Emery,
By Philip Kaplan, Pen & Sword Books, Ltd, South Yorkshire, UK, (2013) Reviewed by Jan Churchill Eminent aviation historian Philip Kaplan, an American living in Cheltenham, England, wrote a compelling book that explores the most significant aspects in the development of naval aviation over the past century. When air power became a major factor during
By Kurt Gross, Edited by Simone C. De Santiago Ramos, Gerhard Hess Verlag, Bad Schussenried, Germany, (2013) Reviewed by Ingo Heidbrink, Ph.D. The diary of Kurt Gross, a petty officer of the German navy (Reichsmarine), covers the journey of the cruiser Karlsruhe to North and South America between November 1931 and December 1932. It is
By Mark Stille, Osprey Publishing, Oxford, United Kingdom, (2013) Reviewed by Diana L. Ahmad, Ph.D. This second volume about Japanese World War II destroyers continues Mark Stille’s excellent work. Once again, the book provides many details about when the Japanese built the vessels, the changes implemented, and ultimately what happened to the ships. As with
By Iain Ballantyne & Jonathan Eastland, Pen & Sword Maritime, South Yorkshire, UK, (2013) Reviewed by John R. Satterfield, DBA Few military leaders rise to iconic status and are worshipped by the nations they serve long after they’re gone. Few weapon systems utilized in their careers share the adulation of these heroes. Vice Admiral Horatio
By Dave Colamaria I was excited to hear that the Naval Historical Foundation is working with the Hampton Roads Naval Museum on the 2014 LEGO Shipbuilding Program this coming February. I had a great time at last year’s event (see the story here) and I thought a lot over the past year about a follow-up
We would like to introduce a new segment to the NHF Blog page: Washington Navy Yard: Then and Now. We will be showing the growth and changes in Washington Navy Yard history from yesterday through today. Today’s images discuss Building 201, just a few blocks from the National Museum of the United States Navy. The
