|
28 May 2024
Welcome back to our National Maritime Historical Society members and friends who share a love for naval history!
| |
|
With the nation taking time this past weekend to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our United States, it was most timely that the Naval History and Heritage Command announced that it had validated underwater scans provided by the Lost 52 Project affirming the final resting place of USS Harder (SS 257) in the South China Sea. Details of the discovery courtesy NHHC are our feature story. We also have word of some new ship namings!
This week for our Naval History Book Review we offer Tom Duffy’s review of European Naval Power: From Cold War to Hybrid Wars by Dr. Jeremy Stöhs. We still have several great titles available for review. Please check the list!
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 | |
3 June 2024 – The Battle of Midway Dinner, Washington, DC
6–9 PM (in person)
6 June 2024 – 80th Anniversary of D-Day at Museum Dedicated to D-Day Veteran Yogi Berra
With Rear Admirals Sam Cox, Sonny Masso, and historian Paul Stillwell
11 AM–12:30 (EDT) Yogi Berra Learning Center and Museum, Little Falls, NJ
Lecture at 7 PM EST, Q&A to Follow
Buy the book here>>
6–7 June 2024 – World War II Museum Symposium, New Orleans
D+1 Beyond the Beaches
With Bob McLaughlin
8–9 PM (EDT) (Zoom)
With John Quarstein
Noon–1 PM (in person/virtual)
20–22 June 2024 – North American Society for Oceanic History/Canadian Nautical Research Society conference
St. Catharines, Ontario
| |
|
WWII “Hit ’em Harder” submarine wreck site confirmed
23 May 2024
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) has confirmed the wreck site of World War II submarine USS Harder (SS 257).
by Monica McCoy, NHHC Communication and Outreach Division
| |
4D photogrammetry model of USS Harder (SS 257) wreck site by The Lost 52. The Lost 52 Project scanned the entire boat and stitched all the images together in a multi-dimensional model used to study and explore the site. Photo courtesy Tim Taylor and the Lost 52 Project. | |
|
Using data collected and provided by Tim Taylor, CEO of Tiburon Subsea and the Lost 52 Project, NHHC’s Underwater Archaeology Branch confirmed the wreck site they discovered as the final resting place of USS Harder (SS 257).
Taylor received a Distinguished Public Service Award from the Navy in 2021 for the Lost 52 Project’s work to locate, discover and memorialize the 52 submarines lost during World War II. Previous submarines located by the Lost 52 project include USS Grayback (SS 208), USS Stickleback (SS 415), USS R-12 (SS 89), USS S-26 (SS 131), USS S-28 (SS 133), and USS Grunion (SS 216).
The first USS Harder (SS 257) was commissioned on 2 Dec. 1942, with Cmdr. Samuel D. Dealey in command, and lost at sea with 79 souls aboard on 24 Aug. 1944.
| |
US Navy archive photo of USS Harder (SS 257) | |
|
Resting at a depth of more than 3,000 feet, the vessel sits upright on her keel relatively intact except for the depth-charge damage aft of the conning tower. Submarines by their very design can be a challenge to identify, but the excellent state of preservation of the site and the quality of the data collected by the Lost 52 allowed for NHHC to confirm the identity of the wreck as Harder.
“Harder was lost in the course of victory. We must not forget that victory has a price, as does freedom,” said NHHC Director Samuel J. Cox, US Navy rear admiral (retired). “We are grateful that Lost 52 has given us the opportunity to once again honor the valor of the crew of the ‘Hit ’em HARDER’ submarine that sank the most Japanese warships—in particularly audacious attacks—under her legendary skipper, Cmdr. Sam Dealey.”
Harder’s fifth war patrol was the submarine’s most successful. Harder depleted the critical supply of destroyers by sinking three of them and heavily damaging or destroying two others in four days, and her frequent attacks resulted in Adm. Ozawa’s Mobile Fleet departing Tawi-Tawi a day ahead of schedule. The premature departure upset the Japanese battle plans and forced Ozawa to delay his carrier force in the Philippine Sea, contributing to the defeat suffered by the Japanese in the ensuing battle.
Read full article>>
| |
|
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro Names Two Future Guided Missile Destroyers and a Future Guided Missile Frigate
On May 22, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced the names of the Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyers, the future USS Richard J. Danzig (DDG 143) and the future USS Michael G. Mullen (DDG 144), during a US Naval Academy Commencement Week ceremony.
DDG 143 honors the Honorable Richard J. Danzig, the 71st Secretary of the Navy, and DDG 144 honors retired Admiral Michael J. Mullen, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief of Naval Operations. These are the first ships to bear their names.
“Secretary Danzig and Admiral Mullen were visionary leaders in the mold of the greatest naval leaders that came before. Together they have nearly 100 years of service,” said Secretary Del Toro. “Both Secretary Danzig and Admiral Mullen worked tirelessly to ensure our sailors and marines had the resources, technologies, and capabilities to set them up for success. I am proud to honor them with these new DDGs.”
Born in New York City in 1944, Secretary Danzig received a BA degree from Reed College, a JD degree from Yale Law School, and Bachelor of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Oxford University. Secretary Danzig served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 1977 to 1981, first as a Deputy Assistant Secretary, then as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower, Reserve Affairs and Logistics. In these roles, he contributed to the department’s mobilization and deployment of manpower and material. Secretary Danzig later served as Under Secretary of the Navy from November 1993 to May 1997, before being sworn in as Secretary of the Navy on 16 Nov. 1998. Secretary Danzig’s tenure emphasized four themes: ridding the services of “a conscript mentality” by treating sailors and marines as skilled workers and supporting them with new capital investments and personnel systems, achieving better synergy between the Navy and Marine Corps, strengthening the ability of the sea services to influence events ashore, and embracing new technologies to better achieve those goals. Since the end of his tenure, he has served in multiple technology and national security-oriented think tanks, councils, and panels.
“This is such a wonderful honor. It’s certainly a wonderful and touching thing,” said Secretary Danzig. “What is most important to me is that this provides a connection among all of the sailors who will be on this ship.”
Read article>>
| |
|
Naval Order Group Explores Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
On a rainy Saturday, 18 May, a small group of Naval Order companions from the Washington Capital Commandery traveled to the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum (PRNAM) to visit the recently overhauled facility. Once an official US Navy museum, following federal budget restructuring the facility is now a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization working in conjunction with St. Mary’s County. With the recently completed construction of a multi-million-dollar capital project that transformed the museum, it is now displaying the potential to become a premier cultural institution and economic driver for the county.
Enjoying a supportive community that recognizes the museum as the link between the US Navy’s missions at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River (Pax River) and the community defined by that mission, it sits in an enviable location with an inspiring story perfectly suited to the technological preoccupations of our era.
When compared to other aviation-focused museums, PRNAM is unique in terms of its collections and mission. Whereas most aviation museums focus on operational aircraft and exhibits, PRNAM focuses on the research, development, test, and evaluation environment. Ideas and concepts that were developed and introduced to the Fleet form the basis of its interpretive program. PRNAM also displays concepts that never made it to the Fleet, making the museum’s collection all the more unique. Artifacts and simulators, films and books spanning the history of Naval Aviation are topped off with a display of over 25 aircraft, some of which are one-of-a-kind.
| |
The Naval Order visitors experienced a docent-led tour through the new hall that was built and is maintained by the non-profit and then they stepped outside onto Navy property to see the unique collection of aircraft that falls under the ownership of the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. Photos courtesy Bill Steagall. | |
|
Call for Hosts of the 2027 Society for Military History Meeting (March–April 2027)
The Society for Military History seeks proposals from organizations and individuals to help host the 2027 meeting. The 2023 conference in Arlington, Virginia, saw 928 participants at an intellectually stimulating event.
Interested parties are requested to submit a proposal, no longer than two single-spaced pages, outlining the following:
- Hotel availability at affordable prices in the city, as well as a general sense of costs in the area, including restaurants and ground travel. This should also include information about the airport and other infrastructure.
- Subsidies or subventions that can be provided by local institutions of higher learning, historical associations, museums, and local Chambers of Commerce to help with the significant cost of the conference. In-kind contributions, such as space to host receptions or other events, will also be considered.
- People and organizations in the area willing to provide logistical support and act as local arrangement managers.
- Local attractions for people in the field, including museums and archives.
Please submit your application by 15 July 2024 to Kyle Longley at longley@chapman.edu.
| |
NAVAL HISTORY BOOK REVIEWS | |
|
European Naval Power: From Cold War to Hybrid Wars
By Dr. Jeremy Stöhs, Palgrave Studies in Maritime Politics and Security (2024)
Reviewed by Thomas M. Duffy
| |
|
...For an American reader, European naval power is important for several reasons:
“What ifs” – these individual post-Cold War navies provide a range of possible different navies shaped by budget and mission.
Ship designs – the vicissitudes of recent American shipbuilding have resulted in the procurement of European ship designs, such as the USS Constellation class. Stöhs goes into great detail about the rationales behind many of these innovative ship designs.
Combined operations – European militaries tend toward the collaborative; combined operations are not a “nice to do” but rather a “have to do.” There is a lot to be learned in this space from our European partners.
Post-Cold War Europe really can be seen as Tirpitz’s “museum of experiments”: the Spanish aircraft carrier Principe de Asturias was based on the US Navy’s 1970s Sea Control Ship concept; the Germans have a 7,200-ton ship intended for low-intensity operations and known as a “Stabilisierungsfregatte”—a “stabilization frigate”; and many of the navies build non-nuclear submarines. There is much to learn here, and European Naval Power is an invaluable guide and source of insight for those analyzing European defense approaches as well as those considering larger questions of maritime strategy and seapower.
Read review>>
| |
NAVAL HISTORY BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW | |
|
Proceedings Podcasts
The Lt. Charles Kausmann story as told by Dr. Ed Marolda.
Listen here>>
| |
UPCOMING NAVAL & MARITIME HISTORY GATHERINGS | |
|
19–21 July 2024: National Maritime Historical Society Annual Meeting, Peekskill, New York
16–19 September 2024: Historic Naval Ship Association (HNSA) Symposium, USS Midway, San Diego
9 November 2024: Steamship Society of America, Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA
27–30 March 2025: Society for Military History (SMH) Annual Meeting, Mobile, AL
9–11 April 2025: Council of American Maritime Museums Annual Meeting, Pensacola, FL
24–28 September 2025: 12th Maritime Heritage Conference, Buffalo, NY
| 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: 232: Charles Lachman: Codename Nemo aka U-505>>
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 >>
| | | | |
