On June 13, 2026, the last living survivor of the sinking of the cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA 35), Harold Bray, turned 99 years old. A Japanese submarine torpedoed the ship shortly after midnight on July 29, 1945. Indianapolis sank in just 12 minutes, leaving approximately 900 sailors, including the 18-year-old Bray, stranded in the water. Five days later, US Navy ships finally rescued Bray and his shipmates, only 316 of whom survived the harrowing ordeal.
After Bray left the Navy, he moved to Benicia, California, where he has lived with his family for more than seven decades. He has spoken about his ordeal numerous times and has become a well-known fixture in his community.
The Naval History and Heritage Command wishes Harold...
Naval History and Heritage Command confirmed the identity of the wreck site of USS Herring (SS-233), World War II submarine, off the coast of Matsuwa Island, Japan, on June 1, 2026.
In the pre-dawn hours of April 15, 1986, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators aboard the USS America and USS Coral Sea launched into the darkness of the Mediterranean Sea on orders from President Ronald Reagan. This year marks the 40th anniversary of their pivotal role in a complex, joint strike against the state-sponsored terrorism of Libyan dictator Muammar Gadhafi.
U.S. Navy history is filled with numerous legendary figures stretching back over 250 years. From John Paul Jones, in the revolutionary war, and Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, in the 19th century, to Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz in World War II and Medal of Honor recipient Michael P. Murphy in the 21st century. But among these naval heroes one, perhaps lesser known, individual is often overlooked. A man whose vision and leadership would...
WASHINGTON - In the murky depths of Lake Champlain, the skeletal remains of the Continental Navy schooner Royal Savage rested for over 150 years, a silent witness to the birth of the American Navy.
Over the past nine years the Chief of Naval Operations, CNO, has hosted an annual essay contest, challenging participants to draw on lessons learned throughout naval history to address major issues facing the modern U.S. Navy. This year’s competition commemorates the enduring legacy of the United States Navy and the 250th anniversary of the Nation.
