An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News Search
NEWS | July 11, 2011

This Week in Navy History

By Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

July 10, 1945 - Fourteen aircraft carriers from the Third Fleet began air strikes on the Japanese Home Islands.

July 11, 1943 - Gunfire from U.S. cruisers and destroyers stopped the German and Italian tank attack against the army beachhead at Gela, Sicily.

July 12, 1990 - Cmdr. Rosemary Mariner became the first woman to command an operational aviation squadron (VAQ-34).

July 13, 1939 - Rear Adm. Richard Byrd was appointed as the commanding officer of the 1939-1941 Antarctic Expedition.

July 14, 1813 - Lt. John Gamble became the first U.S. Marine to command a ship in battle, the Greenwich, which captured the British whaler Seringapatam.

July 15, 1958 - In response to a request by the President of Lebanon, Sixth Fleet landed 1,800 Marines at Beruit to support the Lebanese government against communist rebels.

July 16, 1862 - Congress created the rank of rear admiral.