“I go along with somebody who says that when Samoa heard that the US government was at war with Japan, the call came around and they offered their hands to help.” Tuala Sevaaetasi, Former Fitafita Guardsman By Matthew T. Eng The proud history of the American Samoan people traces back over 3,000 years, long before
BOOK REVIEW – Attack on Pearl Harbor: Strategy, Combat, Myths, Deceptions
By Alan D. Zimm, Casemate Publishing, Havertown, PA (2011) Reviewed by Charles C. Kolb, Ph.D. There seems to be no end to new publications on the subject of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. By September 2014, WorldCat (an international library catalog) listed 18,353 publications and other media on Pearl Harbor;
2014 NHF Summer Interns Weigh in on Naval History
Last week, our summer interns wrapped up their time here at NHF. Thankfully, each intern took a few moments to answer a few questions about their experiences working with the Foundation. Thanks again to Alicia, Aaron, and Ross (not interviewed) for a wonderful summer! Alicia Petersen Senior University of South Florida History/Biomedical Sciences What interests
Ambassador Middendorf Honored at 2014 NHF Annual Membership Meeting
Each year, the Naval Historical Foundation holds a meeting in Washington, DC to meet with our members, volunteers, and friends to discuss our current and future plans. Nearly one hundred supporters gathered in the Navy Museum last Saturday for a day of celebration, commemoration, and friendship. This is certainly a year of many commemorative celebrations:
BOOK REVIEW – Destiny in the Pacific
By John Schork, Jupiter-Pixel Press, Jupiter, FL (2008) Reviewed by Paul W. Murphey, Ph.D., CDR, CHC, USN (Retired) I was utterly surprised by this novel of naval aviation in the Pacific during World War II. It was a radical departure from the way I knew the author to approach any task. His creativity astounded me.
The Opportunity to Make History: Vietnam War Hero’s Flight to Freedom Remembered
“The bravest guy I know. He didn’t have enough gas to make it back to the beach when Midway gave him an opportunity to make history.” – Rear Admiral Larry Chambers, USN (Ret.) on Buang-Ly’s historic landing on the deck of USS Midway. 30 April 1975. South Vietnam was in the process of being overrun
Norman’s Corner: A Most Unforgettable Character
By Norman Polmar (Editor’s note: This is the 26th a series of blogs by Norman Polmar—author, analyst, and consultant specializing in the naval, aviation, and intelligence fields. Follow the full series here.) Being a “character” is a very positive description of a person. To me, a character is one who thinks for himself or herself,
SINK OR SWIM 2014 Ship Bracket Competition
CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR A LARGER VIEW. It’s that time of the year – BRACKET TIME! What better way to celebrate “March Madness” than with some of the most celebrated ships in naval history! We will be posting this bracket on the dates shown above for you to vote on our FACEBOOK page.
COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS Midway Dinner and Anniversary Navy Birthday Celebration Submarine Force Birthday History Seminar DC War of 1812 Commemoration Midway Dinner In 1999, the Chief of Naval Operations sent a message to the fleet directing the annual commemoration of two significant events in our proud naval history—the birth of our Navy on 13 October 1775,
BOOK REVIEW – The Battle of the Denmark Strait: A Critical Analysis of the Bismarck’s Singular Triumph
By Robert J. Winklareth, Casemate Publishers, Philadelphia, PA. (2012). Reviewed by Richard P. Hallion, Ph.D The fateful encounter between the Bismarck, Prinz Eugen, Hood, and Prince of Wales at 0600 on the morning of 24 May 1941 midway between Iceland and Greenland has drawn the attention of numerous authors and analysts. It even inspired a now-classic
BOOK REVIEW – Naval Air: Celebrating A Century of Naval Flying
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
BOOK REVIEW – Imperial Japanese Navy Destroyers 1919-45 (2): Asashio to Tachibana Classes
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
BOOK REVIEW – Blackrobes in Blue: The Navy Chaplaincy of John P. Foley, S.J., 1942-46
By Steve O’Brien, Self Published, (2002). Reviewed by Commander Paul W. Murphey, CHC, USN (Ret), Ph.D. It was only four years in the long life of Father John P. Foley, S.J. For many of “the greatest generation,” it was the most momentous time of his life. After the arduous years of becoming a Jesuit and serving
Fletcher Class Destroyers: My Experience During the 1950’s
By Captain George Stewart, USN (RET) This is the fifth in a series of articles by Captain Stewart detailing the technical specifications, manning, and operations of the U.S. Navy’s Fletcher class destroyers. This is the fifth and last article in a series describing life aboard a World War II built Fletcher Class destroyer during the
Fletcher Class Destroyer Operations – Part II
By Captain George Stewart, USN (RET) This is the fourth in a series of articles by Captain Stewart detailing the technical specifications, manning, and operations of the U.S. Navy’s Fletcher class destroyers. In my last article (read it here) I wrote about operations of a Fletcher class destroyer, based on my experiences serving in USS
