An Outsider in Paradise – A Pocket Guide to Hawaii (1940’s)

This information comes from the Navy Heritage Center. During the Second World War, Hawaii was the crossroads for the Pacific. Men, material, ships and planes on their way to the battles in the South Pacific and eventually Japan travelled through Hawaii in many cases. Not much changed over the many decades following the war since […]

“The sea – like life itself – is a stern taskmaster” The Story of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz

The sea – like life itself – is a stern taskmaster. This was the early childhood lesson taught to the boy who would later become one of the most influential leaders in the United States Navy. He was significantly influenced by his German-born paternal grandfather, Charles Henry Nimitz, a former seaman in the German Merchant […]

In the Waters of Pearl – Building the Pearl Harbor Submarine Base 1918-1945

I spent a number of years in my youth living and sailing out of Pearl Harbor. The last time we were there was in 2003 and the changes even then were astonishing. Many of the old buildings were still there but a modern bridge attached Ford Island to the mainland. The Chapel at Sub […]

Diamond Anniversary – The First Battle of Savo Island (Part 8 – The Battle from the Japanese Perspective)

Disaster at Savo Island, 1942 by Lieutenant Colonel David E. Quantock United States Army USAWC Class of 2002 U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA These excerpts are from a Report called Disaster at Savo Island, 1942. This unique perspective of the battle is taken primarily from the Japanese point of view. “Mikawa’s approach […]

41 For Freedom – SSBN Memories 41 Years Later

Its funny how an old picture can bring back so many memories. Whether a boomer sailor sailed out of Scotland, Guam, Rota or Charleston many of the events they experienced were similar. I don’t know how many hundreds of ballistic missile patrols were made. I am sure there were a lot. Since the 1960s, strategic deterrence has […]

Diamond Anniversary – The First Battle of Savo Island (Part 4 – The XRAY Transports and the Destroyers)

Part 4 “XRAY” TRANSPORTS The enemy had ceased fire on the Vincennes group about 0215, and headed out to sea, briefly engaging the Ralph Talbot about 0320-23. Within half an hour both the Quincy and the Vincennes had gone down. The Canberra remained afloat until morning, when she was sunk by our own destroyers, and […]

Diamond Anniversary – The First Battle of Savo Island (Part 3 Attack on The Northern Group )

THE NORTHERN GROUP Our northern cruiser group was patrolling its square at a speed of 10 knots. The Helm was 1,500 yards on the port bow and the Wilson 2,000 yards on the starboard bow of the Vincennes. The Quincy and Astoria followed rather closely in order to […]

Diamond Anniversary – The First Battle of Savo Island (Part 2 Attack on The Southern Group )

August 8-9 Battle of Savo Island: ATTACK ON OUR SOUTHERN GROUP No more than half an hour elapsed from the time enemy ships appeared without warning around the southern corner of Savo Island till they ceased fire and passed back out to sea. In that short interval they crossed ahead of our southern cruiser group, […]

Diamond Anniversary – The First Battle of Savo Island (Part 1)

The following information comes from the Official US Navy Records: “The Battle of Savo Island and the Battle of the Eastern Solomons comprise one of a series of twenty-one published and thirteen unpublished Combat Narratives of specific naval campaigns produced by the Publications Branch of the Office of Naval Intelligence during World War II. Selected […]

Through the haze of history… the dark underside of race relations in the US Navy

Memories… I have many wonderful memories of serving in the US Navy. All of the research I do leads me to long lost information and occasionally I find things that bring back some not so good memories. This story is one of those. I should warn you. It is long. The story comes from a […]