U.S. Navy Archives

U.S. Navy

The Battle of Cape Esperance: A Sorely Needed Naval Victory

By David Alan Johnson

“One large, two small vessels, one six miles from Savo off northern beach, Guadalcanal. Will investigate closer.” Read more

USS Boise’s near destruction at Cape Esperance by an underwater shell hit had not been a fluke.

U.S. Navy

Japan’s “Diving Shells” in the Battle of Cape Esperance

By David Alan Johnson

The eight-inch shell that penetrated the cruiser’s hull and threatened to blow up her forward magazines was a Type 91 armor-piercing shell, which had been designed to continue through the water when it fell short of its target and penetrate the ship’s hull below the waterline. Read more

U.S. Navy

Hell on New Britain

By Adam Lynch

The American effort to neutralize the big Japanese air-sea base at Rabaul on the island of New Britain in the South Pacific was heating up, and 18-year-old aviation radioman John Kepchia was about to feel the heat. Read more

Several examples illustrate the major losses suffered by Japanese transport vessels.

U.S. Navy

Japanese Transports Major Losses

By John W. Whitman

Japan had serious difficulties deploying her manpower, and a few examples illustrate some of the worst events. Read more

U.S. Navy

Daring Doolittle Raid Survivors

By Joseph Connaughton

The first good news in the war for the United States had been the Doolittle Raid on April 18. Read more

U.S. Navy

Colonel Hiromishi Yahara’s Story at Okinawa

by John Walker

It was Colonel Hiromishi Yahara who designed and implemented the jiykusen, or the yard-by-yard battle of attrition that cost the American forces so many casualties in the three-month battle, and he was the highest ranking officer to survive the battle and make it back to Tokyo. Read more

U.S. Navy

Horror on Marpi Point: A Crucial Foothold in the Marianas

by John Wukovits

Normally, the end of combat brings satisfaction and a sense of relief, but the Army infantrymen and Marines who slugged it out with the Japanese at Saipan experienced little of either. Read more

U.S. Navy

Muhammad Ali’s Draft Controversy

By Mike Haskew

Three-time world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali reigns as one of the most colorful sports figures of the 20th century. Read more

U.S. Navy

Fire Control at the Battle of Surigao Strait

by David Alan Johnson

One of the main reasons for the success of the battleships West Virginia, Tennessee, and California at Surigao Strait was their Mk 8 fire control radar, which was used in conjunction with the Mk 8 rangekeeper computer. Read more

World War II's Kokoda Track horrendous campaign consisted of a series of battles fought between July and November 1942.

U.S. Navy

The Kokoda Track Campaign: World War II’s Trail of Death

by A.B. Feuer

The Kokoda track campaign involved a trail that leada south along the western side of the Eora Creek Gorge and through the villages of Deniki and Isurava to a trail junction at Alola. Read more