Naval History By LPO McStravick

13 Oct 1775 The Continental Congress authorized the outfitting of a ten-gun warship. Marking the beginning of the Continental Navy

3 Dec 1775 Lt. John Paul Jones first XO of a man-of-war of the Continental Navy.

3-4 Mar 1776 Commodore Esek Hopkins lead a Continental squadron defeating the British at Nassau in the Bahamas. First amphibious assault by American Marines commanded by Capt. Samuel Nicholas.

7 Sep 1776 Sgt. Ezra Lee, Continental Army, made the first “submarine” attack on a warship. Unsuccessfully placing a charge on a British war ship from the submersible named the “Turtle.”

24 Apr 1778 John Paul Jones in command of the sloop Ranger defeats and captures the sloop HMS Drake.

23 Sep 1780 John Paul Jones commanding the Bonhomme Richard rejected the British surrender with “I have not yet begun to fight!” His ship sank, but they were able to capture the frigate HMS Serapis.

30 Apr 1798 The Department of the Navy is first established.

18 Jun 1798 Benjamin Stoddert, first secretary of the Navy.

21 Aug 1862 The Monitor was the Navy’s first armored ship, New Ironsides.

1 May 1898 “You may fire when ready, Gridley.” Commodore George Dewey’s words to his flagships captain where the Asiatic Squadron defeated the Spanish in Manila Bay.

12 Oct 1900 SS1 Holland first submarine commissioned in the U.S. Navy. 19 May 1902-DD5 Decatur Navy’s first active destroyer was commissioned.

20 Mar 1922 A former coal-carrier, the Jupiter, was converted into the USS Langley CV1 to become the Navy’s first aircraft carrier.

7 Dec 1941 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor killing 2008 Navy men and inflecting serve damage on the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

4-8 May 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea was fought resulting in the end of Japanese advances in the South Pacific. First Naval battle fought only by aircraft and opposing fleets never saw one another.

4-6 Jun 1942 Battle of Midway ended Japanese initiative in the Pacific with the sinking of four of their carriers.

6 Jun 1944 Nearly 2500 U.S. Navy ships and craft take part in the Allies invasion of Normandy. The largest amphibious assault in history.

2 Sep 1945 Japan surrenders aboard the USS Missouri BB63.

Mission statement of the United States Navy The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.

Sea Power World prosperity and security depends on free use of the seas. Markets crave security and our vital interests are best served by a stable global system. 70% of the world is water, 80% of the world lives within a few hundred miles of the oceans and 90% of our commerce sails across it.