History Sections
South Vietnam War
Korean War
World War I
Mexican War
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South Vietnam War (C/SN Requirement)
Jan-Feb 1996 In response to Chinese threats to close the Straits of Taiwan, the carriers Independence, Nimitz, and George Washington and their supporting battle groups moved into the area as a deterrent show of force.
Oct 1994 Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) was the first carrier to deploy with women as part of its crew.
21 Feb 1991 Marine AV-8B Harriers flew bombing strikes from the Nassau (LHA 4)--the first Marine combat air strikes from a helicopter landing ship.
8 Aug 1990 Iraq declared annexation of Kuwait. President Bush ordered the commencement of Operation Desert Shield, deploying major U.D. forces to Saudi Arabia to assist in defending that country against possible Iraqi incursion. U.S. land and air forces were ordered in, reserves were recalled to active duty, and additional naval forces were deployed to reinforce those already in the Middle East area.
14 Apr 1986 In coordination with Air Force F-111s flying from England, Sixth Fleet carrier planes struck military targets in Libya.
23 Oct 1983 A terrorist bomb crashed into the headquarters and barracks building of Marines assigned to the Multinational Peacekeeping Force at Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 Marines.
22 Jun 1973 The Skylab I team, operating the world's first orbiting space laboratory, completed a 30-day operation. Its members were all naval aviators.
20 Jul 1969 The lunar module Eagle landed on the moon's Sea of Tranquility after detaching from Apollo 11. The commander of the mission and the first man to set foot on the moon was Neil Armstrong, who was a Navy fighter pilot in the Korean War.
30 Jan 1968 The Tet Offensive began as Communist forces threatened most population centers and captured the city of Hue, retaken by RVN troops and U.S. Marines in heavy fighting. North Vietnamese besieged the Marine base at Khe Sanh; massive Navy/Air Force air strikes helped defeat the attackers. The Communists suffered heavy losses. Large main-force units were pushed toward border areas. RVN control was extended.
May 1964 Seventh Fleet carriers deployed off the northern coast of South Vietnam (Republic of Veitnam) in an area to be called Yankee Station.
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Korean War (C/PO3 Requirement)
3 Aug 1958 The Nautilus became the first ship in history to reach the North Pole.
9 Nov 1950 The first dogfight involving a Navy jet and an enemy jet was fought. Lt. Cdr. W. T. Amen, in a Panther, shot down a MiG-15, a Soviet-built fighter.
26 Jun 1950 U.S. forces ordered to support South Korea against invading North Korean troops.
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World War I (C/PO2 and C/ENS Requirement)
7 Dec 1941 In a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese inflicted severe damage on units of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and killed 2008 Navy men.
11 Nov 1918 An armistice ended World War I. Celebrated for years as Armistice Day, 11 Nov is now observed as Veteran's Day.
6 Apr 1917 The United States entered World War I.
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Mexican War (C/PO1 and C/LTJG Requirement)
Oct 1911 The Navy received its first aircraft. One was built by the Wright Brothers, and two others were built by Glen Curtiss.
9 Apr 1909 Cdr. Robert E. Peary became the first man to reach the North Pole.
9 Mar 1862 The Monitor, first warship with a revolving gun turrent, met the Confederate Virginia in the world's first battle of ironclads. The battle ended in a draw, but the Virginia never fought again.
21 Dec 1861 The Medal of Honor was authorized by Congress.
31 Mar 1854 Commodore Matthew C. Perry signed a treaty with the Japanese at Yokohama, opening that country to western trade.
11 May 1846 War was declared on Mexico.