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10 October 2023
Welcome back to our National Maritime Historical Society members and friends who share a love for naval history!
Happy Birthday to the US Navy this Friday! Only two more years to go before you hit the Big 250. A non-profit organization, Homecoming 250 – Navy-Marine Corps, has been established in Philadelphia to host events related to the 250th birthday anniversary in the city where both sea services trace their roots. To generate funds to support an ambitious agenda of celebratory activities, the organization, chaired by George S. Leone, will be holding a gala this Thursday at the Independence Seaport Museum. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro is the invited guest speaker. We wish Homecoming 250 success in their efforts. See: www.homecoming250.org.
This year’s birthday theme is “248 Years of Power, Presence, and Protection,” highlighting the US Navy’s historical and long-standing commitment to being forward deployed, highly trained, and dedicated to defending American interests at sea, on land, and in the sky. The Continental Congress resolution establishing the Navy is our feature article.
The gala this Thursday in Philadelphia will kick off a nationwide series of Birthday Balls, most organized by local councils of the Navy League of the United States at locations ranging from Albuquerque to the nation’s capital. We wish all attendees a safe and enjoyable time!
Naval History Book Reviews has turned to Portland, Maine, maritime historian Lincoln Paine to pull a review from his “Substack” on Mark Stille’s recent book on Leyte Gulf. Thank you, Lincoln, for sharing! Do check out his website—enjoy! If you have recently published a naval history-related memoir or history, let us know! The revised book list is attached.
Tuesday Tidings is compiled by Dr. David F. Winkler and Jessie Henderson as a benefit for members of the National Maritime Historical Society and friends of naval history.
As always, comments are welcome at nmhs@seahistory.org.
| ITEMS OF IMMEDIATE INTEREST | |
11 October: Naval Order Heritage Happenings
Dr. Micheal A. Verney “A Great and Rising Nation”: Naval Exploration and American National Maturity, 1815–1860
8 pm (EDT) (Zoom)
14 October: Navy Museum Noon Lecture (EDT) (In Person)
Chief Musician Kevin C. McDonald will discuss the Navy’s first Hispanic Bandmaster
14 October: Navy League of the United States - US Navy Birthday Ball
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Establishment of the Navy, 13 October 1775 | |
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This resolution of the Continental Congress marked the establishment of what is now the United States Navy.
Resolved, That a swift sailing vessel, to carry ten carriage guns, and a proportionable number of swivels, with eighty men, be fitted, with all possible despatch, for a cruise of three months, and that the commander be instructed to cruize eastward, for intercepting such transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for our enemies, and for such other purposes as the Congress shall direct.
That a Committee of three be appointed to prepare an estimate of the expence, and lay the same
before the Congress, and to contract with proper persons to fit out the vessel.
Resolved, that another vessel be fitted out for the same purposes, and that the said committee
report their opinion of a proper vessel, and also an estimate of the expence.
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US Naval Institute Knox Medal Presentations | |
As noted two weeks ago in Tuesday Tidings, the US Naval Institute hosted a presentation ceremony for the latest recipients of the of the Commo. Dudley W. Knox Medal recognizing lifetime achievement in the naval history profession. The images below capture the presentation of the medals as well as cash prizes of $5,000.00 presented by USNI Chief Financial Officer Chip Wallen. | |
Long-time Naval Historical Foundation Board member Dr. David Alan Rosenberg, who continued on in his role as head of the Knox Medal selection committee, had the privilege of presenting Dr. William M. Fowler with his award. |
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US Naval Institute historian and previous Knox Medal recipient Tom Cutler presents the award to Sharon Hornfischer, the widow of the late James D. Hornfischer, a posthumous recognition of a remarkable career as a writer and literally agent for other naval history authors. | |
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NHHC Honors World War II US Navy Pre-Flight School in State Historical Marker Ceremony
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Abigayle Lutz, NHHC Communication and Outreach Division
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Director Samuel J. Cox, US Navy rear admiral (retired), made remarks during a ceremony for the state historical marker of the US Navy Pre-
Flight School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 30 Sept.
Established on 27 Feb. 1942, the US Navy Pre-Flight School at Chapel Hill was one of only five such schools in the country during WWII that prepared future naval aviators.
“The Pre-Flight School here in Chapel Hill played an integral part in the training of naval officers during WWII,” said Cox. “It is a privilege to be a part of the historical marker ceremony in which we honor those that served and the impact the school had on the surrounding community and our Navy.”
Around 20,000 officers trained at the school between 1942 and 1945, providing a great impact on the university and town, both of which had been suffering financially. Three future presidents spent time at the Chapel Hill preflight school: George H. W. Bush, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan.
The Pre-Flight School, hosted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was part of the Navy’s V-12 Officer Training Program, a program created in response to the Navy’s struggle with personnel demands during World War II.
Read full article>>
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Preble Hall Podcast EP198: German Navy Wargaming in the 19th Century
Dr. Marcus Jones, of the US Naval Academy’s history department, interviews Dr. Jorit Wintjes of the University of Wurzburg on naval wargaming in late 19th century Prussia and Germany.
Listen Here>>
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NAVAL HISTORY BOOK REVIEWS | |
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Leyte Gulf: A New History of the World’s Largest Sea Battle
By Mark Stille
Reviewed by Lincoln Paine
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...The final double myth is that following the battle of Samar Kurita could have easily entered Leyte Gulf after Samar and that if he had he could have taken out a force of critical importance to the American war effort. Neither was true, and Kurita wisely decided not to sacrifice his crews and ships to no purpose.
To these myths I would add another, which Stille has perhaps inadvertently illuminated: that the standard dating and description of “The Battle of Leyte Gulf” (as he opens the book) is incorrect. By convention, the battle took place between October 23 and 26 comprises a number of minor and four major engagements: the battles of the Sibuyan Sea, October 24; the battles of Surigao Strait (the least important) and Samar (the most important), October 25; and the battle off Cape Engaño (October 25–26).
All of these battles of or for—but not actually in—Leyte Gulf centered on the American landings there, which usually get short shrift. Antecedent to but wholly in support of this amphibious effort was the “largely unknown” air battle off Formosa, October 12–16. In this “true beginning of the Battle of Leyte Gulf,” Halsey’s carrier aircraft destroyed between 492 and 655 Japanese land-based aircraft intended to support Japan’s defense of the Philippines. Both this prolonged action and the landings themselves deserve a bigger place in the history of the battles centered on Leyte Gulf.
Read full review>>
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NAVAL HISTORY BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW | |
NAVAL HISTORY CALLS FOR PAPERS | |
248th US Navy Birthday Concert | |
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The Gilder Lehrman Military History Prize is a $50,000 prize sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The award recognizes the best book on American military history in English distinguished by its scholarship, its contribution to the literature, and its appeal to the broadest possible general reading public. Books that touch upon historic military events of other countries may be considered as long as their primary focus is on American military history. Publishers, critics, and authors may submit or nominate books published in the current year.
Please note that as of 2022, only books with a primary focus of American military history can be considered.
To nominate books copyrighted in 2023, please send five copies to the address below before the submission deadline of 31 December 2023.
Daniela Muhling
Book Prize Manager
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
49 West 45th Street, 2nd Floor
New York NY 10036
For more information, please call 646.366.9666 ext.144 or send an email to bookprizes@gilderlehrman.org.
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UPCOMING NAVAL & MARITIME HISTORY GATHERINGS | |
PREBLE HALL NAVAL HISTORY PODCAST | |
A naval history podcast from Preble Hall – the United States Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis, Maryland. Preble Hall will interview historians, practitioners, military personnel, and other experts on a variety of naval history topics from ancient history to more current events.
Click here for the latest episode: 199: James Smith: Deconstructing the Seapower State>>
Click here for all Preble Hall Podcasts >>
| DRACHINIFEL YOUTUBE CHANNEL | |
Welcome to Navy History Matters, Naval History and Heritage Command’s biweekly compilation of articles, commentaries, and blogs related to history and heritage. Every other week, they gather the top-interest items from a variety of media and social media sources that link to related content at NHHC’s website, your authoritative source for Navy history.
Click here for most recent article>>
| INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAVAL HISTORY | |
The International Journal of Naval History (IJNH) provides a preeminent forum for works of naval history, researched and written to demonstrable academic standards, with the goal of stimulating and promoting research into naval history and fostering communication among naval historians at an international level. IJNH welcomes any scholarly historical analysis, focused on any period or geographic region, that explores naval power in its national or cultural context. The journal is independent of any institution and operates under the direction of an international editorial board that represents various genres of naval history.
Click here to read the February 2023 edition and archived issues on the IJNH website >>
| SUPPORTING US NAVAL HISTORY & HERITAGE | |
With the 250th anniversary of the US Navy on the horizon, NMHS seeks your support as we plan to honor those who have provided for our maritime security.
Click here to donate today >>
If you are one of those friends who have considered joining the Society or have wanted to recommend membership to friends, the Society is offering a 60th anniversary membership sale: ten bucks! See: Anniversary Membership Special Offer.
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