3 August 1804: Commodore Preble’s squadron bombards Tripoli Harbor

Preble’s War

The nations of Europe had long capitulated to the extortionist demands of the Barbary States. That didn’t sit well with Commodore Edward Preble.

Thomas Sheppard
May 2023
U.S. Marine Corps Major “Pappy” Boyington

The Bull in the South Pacific

South Pacific Command needed a fighter, and the hard-driving William F. Halsey Jr. proved to be the right admiral for the job.

May 2023
The USS Freedom (LCS-1) and Independence (LCS-2)

Time to Scrap LCS

LCS has failed to live up to expectations; been costly in terms of money, material, and manning; and lacks a post-retirement mission.

Lieutenant Anthony Carrillo, U.S. Navy   
April 2023

A Ship for All Seas

When the Coast Guard commissioned a new class of cutters in the 1930s, the ships were built to last, and they have done just that.

Captain John M. Waters, Jr. U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)
April 2023

The Hardest Choice

In 1942, Captain Mike Moran of the cruiser Boise had to weight the lives of lost airplane crews against the lives of the entire ship's crew.

Mike Stankovich
April 2023

Making Waves

As manpower became increasingly scarce in the Navy of World War II, the solution was provided through the efforts of womanpower.

Joan B. Crawford
April 2023

The Spirit of the Essex

The Navy-Marine Corps team provided yet another example of its famed prowess in operations during the War of 1812.

Colonel Richard L. Upchurch, U. S. Marine Corps (Retired)
April 2023

K Stood for Catastrophe and M for Monster

The legendary Jackie Fisher dazzled the world with his revolutionary Dreadnought; his submarine concepts were far less successful.

Commander Richard Compton-Hall, Royal Navy (Retired)
April 2023

Today’s Uses of Naval History

Most things that happen in the present have antecedents in the past; we would do well to learn what worked well before and what didn't.

Barrett Tillman
April 2023