Cold War Stories – The next war will be fought on our own soil

Cold War Stories – The next war will be fought on our own soil In 1984, there was a fictional movie called Red Dawn that portrayed an invasion of the United States. It was a very interesting look at what would happen in the country if an enemy was successfully able to bypass all of […]

Cold War Stories – Homecoming 1946

Homecoming 1946 Nearly eight million men and women served in the United States Armed Forces during the second world war. Many recent articles in various news outlets and television stories highlight the hundred plus years the few remaining survivors are celebrating this year. But the numbers are diminished greatly with the passing of time. They […]

Truman’s Decision – 1945

It seems a lifetime ago when I last sailed on a submarine. I left the USS Ohio in December of 1984 after making my fourth patrol. It was a routine patrol with nothing special to report. Considering that we were conducting a strategic deterrent patrol, that is a very good thing. After having served on […]

Every Moment Mattered – Epilogue

Every Moment Mattered – Epilogue At 01:48 on 13 November, Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan’s relatively small landing support group of thirteen ships engaged the enemy. The Japanese force consisted of two battleships, one light cruiser, and nine destroyers. Because of bad weather and confused communications, the battle occurred in near-pitch darkness and at almost […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Six: The End and The Beginning

Chapter Six: The End and The Beginning Josephus Daniels became the Secretary of the Navy after the election of Woodrow Wilson. He was a reformer in every sense of the word and brought with him very little understanding of the naval traditions that shaped the modern organization he inherited. He was determined to build the navy […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Five: The Spanish Revenge

Chapter Five: The Spanish Revenge Being a Second Classman brought with it increased privileges for Midshipman Young and his classmates. They would also have a more comfortable setting to live and study in. A Second Class Suite with a bath as the boys called it in Bancroft Hall. Two stripes adorned each arm on his service […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Three: Character is built one difficult lesson at a time

Editor’s note: This chapter is the one that was part of the primary reason one of my early supporters withdrew his support. I have only been to the academy a few times, but I remember the stately buildings and well-groomed landscapes. It is a place of honor in may ways but through the years it […]

Navy Day 1943 – Threats from Within and Warnings about the Future

In October 1943, the country had been at war for nearly two years. The strength and power of our industrial base was at nearly full speed and in every corner of the land, the equipment and supplies needed to fight a global war were being produced at a furious pace. Patriotism and nationalism were used […]

A Gallant Ship – SS NATHANAEL GREENE

I love a story about a ship that was heroic. During the early days of World War 2, many ships were rapidly built to replace the ones that were being sunk by the onslaught of German Submarines in the Atlantic. Liberty Ships were some of the most prevalent cargo ships that were built and pressed […]

December 6, 1942 – The Navy Reveals the True Damage at Pearl Harbor

Within hours of the attack on Pearl Harbor, news started filtering back to anxious families on the mainland that something horrible had happened to the country. The banner headlines from the eighth of December would forever be changed with news of the encroachment of the Empire of Japan across the vast reaches of the Pacific […]