By John R. Satterfield, Naval Institute Press: Annapolis, MD (2011) Reviewed by Commander Paul W. Murphey, CHC, USNR (Ret.) Appearance wise, Saving Big Ben is an impressive book. Beautifully bound with an appealing jacket, featuring a pleasant type and format, and having enticing blurbs on the back cover, the book brings a sense of anticipation
By William Lloyd Stearman, Naval Institute Press: Annapolis, MD (2012) Reviewed by Dr. Richard P. Hallion Mention “Stearman” among any group of aviation aficionados and an instant image of one of history’s most influential and appealing aircraft comes to mind. The Stearman biplane occupies a unique place in the pantheon of American aviation, having produced,
By Captain Lindsay R. Henry USNR (Ret.) and Captain Thomas E. Henry USNR (Ret.) (2009) Reviewed by Charles H. Bogart This self-published book consists of two separate accounts concerning Captain Lindsay Henry’s service in World War II. The first 80 pages contain an account by Captain Lindsay Henry of his naval service from 1941 to
Last night, the 71st Annual Battle of Midway Commemorative Dinner was held at the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA. Looking back from a vantage point of 71 years, Midway is viewed as one of the more significant actions in world history – more significant than simply a strategic victory as part of a
By Brayton Harris, Palgrave Macmillan: New York, (2012) Reviewed by Captain Scott Mobley, U.S. Navy (Retired) Brayton Harris begins his narrative by pledging to give the reader a “guided tour” of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz’s life. Harris delivers on this promise, tracing Nimitz’s rise from a small-town Texas boyhood to the apex of naval
By George C. Daughan, Basic Books, New York, (2011). Reviewed by Rear Admiral William J. Holland, Jr. U.S. Navy (Retired) This is a splendid history. While documenting the courage, skill and luck of the tiny American Navy, Professor Daughan describes the machinations of the then principle players on a world stage in vastly greater breadth
By Norman Polmar (Editor’s note: This is the ninth 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.) One of the most interesting, intelligent, and professional persons whom I have had the privilege of knowing was Captain Donald Macintyre,
Ambassador J. William Middendorf II has been a member of the Naval Historical Foundation’s Board of Directors longer than any other director—nearly 40 years—and has consistently donated his time, his talents and his funds to support our mission to preserve and honor the legacy of those who came before us, and to educate and inspire the
On Wednesday, 22 May 2013, Naval Historical Foundation Executive Director Captain Todd Creekman, USN (Ret), traveled to Annapolis for the presentation of this year’s Captain Edward L. Beach, Jr. Naval History Award. This award is given annually to the U.S. Naval Academy graduating midshipman who has contributed the most to the study of naval
With the support of the Naval Historical Foundation, valuable contextual interpretation is being developed for artifact display cases located in the South Hall of the Cold War Gallery of the National Museum of the United States Navy. On display within these glass cases are Vietnam Prisoner of War artifacts including boxer shorts dotted with red
The time has come again for another Museum Store Used Book Sale. Museum Store Manager Frank Arre has been hard at work gathering books and we think you will be impressed with the selection he has acquired. It includes many Vietnam era and World War II books. In addition to books, he will be selling picture
By Kenneth E. Bingham., Seabee Books, Binghamus Press, (2011). Reviewed by Charles H. Bogart The author has divided this book into six sections. Over half of the book is a reprint of Construction Battalion Detachment 1058’s cruise book covering its tour of duty at Barrow, Alaska, during 1944-1945. The author provides a 5-page introduction into
By Kenneth E. Bingham., Seabee Book (2011). Reviewed by Charles H. Bogart This book is, in reality, three books in one, with the book divided into thirds. The first third of the book gives background information on Iwo Jima, the formation of the Seabees and, in particular, the activation and training of the 133rd Naval
The battleship USS Arizona (BB 39) resting at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, is a powerful symbol of the devastation wrought on 7 December 1941 as Japanese aircraft swooped down on the unsuspecting American Pacific Fleet. Surprisingly, until the year 2000, the U.S Navy did not have a scale model of the battleship in the
You are cordially invited to attend the Naval Historical Foundation’s Annual Members Meeting and the ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new “The Battle Behind Bars” exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy’s Cold War Gallery. The exhibit honors the sacrifices of Prisoners of War in the Vietnam War and celebrates the success many experienced
