Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy

For this episode, we speak with NHHC Historian Tyler Bamford about his work on the NHHC monograph "Best Beloved: The Wartime Letters of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz to His Wife, Catherine." The book presents all of the surviving World War II–era correspondence that Fleet Admiral Nimitz wrote to his wife, Catherine, in his own words and his feelings as he prepared to assume command of the devastated U.S. Pacific Fleet in December 1941, his fears about the possibility of being relieved during the war’s darkest days in 1942, and his nervous excitement as he signed the surrender document that ended the most destructive war of the 20th century. Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr., commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, provides a trenchant foreword to this collection. Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://bit.ly/NHHCPodcast_Episode14.

Recognizing the importance of a professional Navy, President John Adams sent a letter on March 31, 1800, to the first Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddart, directing the establishment of a library containing "It ought to consist of all the best writings...upon the theory and practice of naval architecture, navigation, gunnery, hydraulics, hydrostatics, and all branches of mathematics subservient to the profession of the sea." Two Hundred and Twenty-Five years later, having moved from Philadelphia to New Jersey and then later Washington, D.C., surviving the British attack on Washington, D.C. in the War of 1812, and multiple moves around the greater Washington DC area while falling under various commands of the U.S. Navy, today's Navy Department Library, a part of Naval History and Heritage Command, is one of only a few military historic libraries open to the public. Its vast holdings of over 114,000 book titles, 374,000 manuscripts, and 189,000 issues of periodicals, including 5,644 Rare and 11,011 Special Collections titles, have met many challenges in its history. Still, the Navy Department Library seeks creative and innovative approaches, utilizing new technology to improve reference services while protecting and preserving the home to the most comprehensive collection of historical literature on the United States Navy for another 225 years. Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://bit.ly/NHHCPodcast_Episode13.

In the summer of 1900, foreign diplomats living in Beijing's Legation Quarter were besieged by Chinese imperial soldiers and "Boxers," members of a secret society determined to rid China of foreign influence. Defending the Legation Quarter was a small international guard that included 56 American Sailors and Marines. To survive, the Americans communicated with their foreign allies via hand signals, improvised as food supplies and artillery dwindled, and fought fiercely despite nearly impossible odds. But they could not hold out forever. The conflict was the U.S. military's first taste of coalition warfare on a global stage and its first time meeting China on the battlefield. For this episode, we speak with NHHC Writer-Editor Emily Abdow about her work for the NHHC monograph "The Boxer Rebellion: Bluejackets and Marines in China, 1900-1901" and the critical role of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps led in the defense of the Legation Quarter and the campaign that led to its relief.  Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://bit.ly/NHHCPodcast_Episode12.

Whether it is twenty thousand leagues under the sea or buried where a river once flowed, the NHHC Underwater Archaeology Branch is responsible for managing, researching, preserving, and interpreting the U.S. Navy's sunken military craft. In this latest podcast, we speak with Underwater Archaeologist Ivor Mollema about how the dedicated archaeologists, conservationists, and curators of this branch oversee one of the largest collections of submerged culture resources, which include over 3,000 shipwrecks and 17,000 aircraft scattered around the world. Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://bit.ly/NHHCPodcast_Episode11.

The history of aviation is filled with the trials and tribulations of humanity's ambition to fly amongst the clouds. In this latest podcast, in recognition of November being National Aviation History Month and to honor all who have contributed to it, the Deputy Director of the National Naval Aviation Museum, Hill Goodspeed, discusses the Navy's path to flight by highlighting the establishment and development of naval aviation over the last 100-plus years, along with some of its defining moments and technological advancements, how it plays a crucial role in modern-day society, and the future of naval aviation. Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://bit.ly/NHHCPodcast_Episode10

Part II of the discussion on Navy Innovator Ray Montague. The conversation continues with Dr. David Montague and Dr. Regina Akers, discussing Raye's unique overnight ship design of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class ship design in a record 18 hours and 26 minutes, listening to Raye discuss obstacles she overcame and the mentorship provided to others, Dr. Akers' contribution to the new NHHC publication "The U.S. Navy and Innovation: Twentieth-Century Case Studies," and close with news of Raye being selected to represent Arkansas for the U.S. Mint American Innovation $1 Coin Program. For more information about Raye Montague, visit https://www.history.navy.mil/news-and-events/anchored-in-history/podcast-navy-innovator-raye-montague-pt2.html

For this multi-part episode, we highlight naval innovator Raye Montague, featured in the new NHHC publication "U.S. Navy and Innovation, 20th Century Case Studies." Raye Montague's path to becoming an engineer was not without its challenges. Inspired by a submarine tour with her grandfather, she knew from a young age that this was her calling. However, growing up in the segregated South during the 1950s as an African-American, her mother warned her that she would face an uphill battle. She earned a degree in business and quickly found employment with the Navy in Washington, D.C., in 1956, where she flourished. Undeterred by a field dominated by men, Raye would learn on the job how to run a UNIVAC I computer and attend engineering and programming night classes, becoming a digital computer systems operator and systems analyst. With every continued obstacle, she persisted in overcoming it. Then, in 1971, given a task that would have taken two years on paper to sketch out the design of a warship, Raye would produce her crowning achievement: the first computer-designed warship in history, a draft for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, and in only 18 hours and 26 minutes. For more information about Raye Montague, visit: https://www.history.navy.mil/news-and-events/anchored-in-history/podcast-navy-innovator-raye-montague-pt1

On this episode, Gordon Calhoun, a Curator at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, and Thomas Frezza, a Public Affairs Specialist with NHHC, discuss the animals who have served throughout U.S. Naval History. Whether they were being used as a source of nourishment for Sailors out on long journeys, as mascots for various ships, commands and institutions, or as beloved pets and crewmates, animals have always played a crucial role in the Navy. Learn about Admiral George Dewey's dog "Bob," various mascots like that of USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18), the rooster of various USS Saratoga ships, and the U.S. Naval Academy's goat. Animals continue to serve in the Navy to this day, protecting harbors, recovering objects, and helping support Sailors with the stresses of military life at sea with dogs like "Sage," "Ike," and "Captain Demo". Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://www.history.navy.mil/news-and-events/anchored-in-history/podcast-of-mutts-and-men.html

Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Operation Neptune, the naval component of Operation Overlord - more formally known as D-Day, Small Arms and Ordnance Curator of the NHHC Curation Branch Dave Manning and Museum Specialist Jennie Ashton, discuss several historical artifacts within the Navy's collection that play a pivotal roll in storytelling about the largest amphibious invasion in history. See photos and learn more about these D-Day artifacts by visiting https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/artifacts/exhibits/artifacts-related-to-d-day.html. Learn more about Operation Overlord (D-Day), the Invasion of Normandy at https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1944/overlord.html. For more information on Operation Neptune, the Navy's actions on D-day, visit https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1944/overlord/operation-neptune.html. To learn more about donating to ensure the preservation of the U.S. Navy's history and heritage, visit https://www.history.navy.mil/get-involved/donate-materials.html

The Director of Naval History and Heritage Command, Sam Cox, discusses his latest "H-Gram" titled: "USS Asheville's Defiance and the "Dancing Mouse." This episode covers the heroic actions of Lieutenant Commander Jacob Britt, the commanding officer of USS Asheville (PG 21), and Lieutenant Joshua Nix, the commanding officer of USS Edsall (DD 219), who chose to fight against overwhelming odds rather than surrender, during the fall of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) in March 1942. They were true to the banner in Memorial Hall of the U.S. Naval Academy—"Don't give up the ship."

Part II of the discussion with one of NHHC's most invaluable resources - our museum volunteers. Hear from these dedicated men and women who come from diverse backgrounds - some with no previous ties to the Navy, to one with a unique connection and being best friends with Admiral Grace Hopper! Listen to what drives them to volunteer, how their diversity makes our volunteer community so vibrant, and why they help teach and preserve naval history and heritage for present and future generations.

For this multi-part episode, we will discuss "An Invaluable Resource" to the 10 Navy museums strategically located throughout the United States - our large group of volunteers. These dedicated men and women selflessly give their free time to help be greeters, docents, curators and subject matter experts with their current or previous naval service and so much more. Listen to their backgrounds, why they volunteer, and how they help teach and preserve naval history and heritage for present and future generations.

Naval History and Heritage Command Historian Heather Haley, Ph.D., Petty Officer First Class Abigayle Lutz, and host Cliff Davis discuss the many roles and responsibilities women have had throughout the history of women serving in the U.S. Navy, from the Revolutionary War to Admiral Lisa Franchetti's newest appointment as Chief of Naval Operations in 2023.

Naval History and Heritage Command Archivist Alexis Van Pool and Fleet Historian Anna Holloway discuss the Navy's use of deck logs, command operations reports (CORs), and how Sailors have had a unique opportunity to express themselves while standing the New Year's Eve watch, writing the first watch of the year in poetic verse. Also discussed is the history of the Navy Deck Log Poetry Contest, its prizes, and deadlines for submission.