7 Mar 1994 – For the first time in the US Navy’s history women are assigned orders aboard a combatant ship, the USS Eisenhower. The historic assignment came as military and civilian leaders reassessed the overall involvement of women in combat after the Gulf War. Later that year in October the Eisenhower would depart for a…
29 FEB 1944 – The Office of Price Administration announces that in 1943 the black market made over 1 billion dollars due to war time rationing. Goods and food such as meat, sugar and car tires were all rationed and at times unavailable on the civilian market during the war. As a result, many citizens turned to…
14 FEB 1778 – The USS Ranger, under command by John Paul Jones, arrives in France. The USS Ranger was flying for the first time, to a foreign port, the recently adopted Stars and Stripes. This marks the first time the US flag was recognized by a foreign vessel, after a French Admiral rendered a 9 gun…
08 FEB 1918 – The unofficial newspaper, Stars and Stripes, of the US Armed Forces begins publication for the second time near the end of WW1. The paper began in 1861 during the Civil War as Union troops occupying Bloomfield, Missouri found all the newspaper shops in the town empty. The paper went out of print during…
1 FEB 1800 – During the Quasi-War with France the USS Constellation engaged the French Navy’s La Vengeance. The La Vengeance was a slightly lighter ship but was more heavily armed on its broadsides. During a tense 5 hour battle the two ships would twice come close enough that boarding parties would be called forward, with each time…
24 JAN 1964 – The Studies and Observation Group, known also as MACV-SOG is officially created. The group was a highly secretive and classified group of special operations forces from across the US Military and CIA that conducted covert unconventional warfare operations during and prior to the Vietnam War. The group had a shaky start as US special operations forces were…
11 JAN 2001 – In an unexpected move the US Army unveils its newest slogan. After criticism of only advertising during male only televised sports, the Army broadcast its newest commercial during the airing of a new Friends episode. The move was to engage a wider audience, and to help shake to image of an all male fighting force. The…
25-26 December 1776 – With an aim to raise low morale across the Continental Army, General George Washington leads a small force across the Delaware River to attack Trenton, New Jersey. Within the town was an isolated Hessian force, German auxiliaries in service of the British military, of around 1,400 soldiers. Washington’s plan of attack involved…
13 December 1952 – The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are moved from the Library of Congress to the National Archives. The move was in order to place the Charters of Freedom, The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Bill of Rights, all in one location for public access. The move was accompanied with a parade and…
7 December 1941 – At 7:55 am 183 Japanese aircraft would attack the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The intent of the Japanese attack was to disable and destroy as much of the American fleet as possible, in order to allow the Japanese as little interference as possible as…
25 November 1783 – Evacuation Day. On this day in 1783 the last of the British Army left New York following the end of the Revolutionary War. After the Battle of Long Island, in 1776, the city had remained in British control with the British flag flying above Fort George till the British evacuation. During the British occupation…
15 November 1969 – During operations in the Barents Sea, the USS Gato, a nuclear powered submarine, would collide with the Soviet submarine K-19 at a depth of around 200 feet. The collision would completely destroy the sonar in K-19s forward areas and mangle its front torpedo tube doors. The K-19 would quickly have to return to port…
10 November 1775 – During the Second Continental Congress a resolution would be passed that “two battalions of Marines be raised”. The Continental Marines would serve as a landing force for the recently created Continental Navy. The Continental Marines would be commanded by Captain Samuel Nicholas, who is recognized as the first Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Continental Marines would go on to serve…
2 November 1783- Upon the end of the Revolutionary War and America gained its independence, the Continental Army was reduced in size. General George Washington would put forth plans for a peace time army, comprised of a small regular army, a well trained militia, a system of arsenals and a training academy for officers and engineers.…
25 October 1944 –The submarine USS Tang would sink during her fifth and final war patrol during WW2. The USS Tang was sunk by a malfunctioning torpedo that she had fired, when fired it quickly turned left back towards the USS Tang, the submarine attempted to evade but was still struck violently. Only nine Sailors survived to…
20 October 1950 – The 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team conducts the first airborne operation during the Korean War. The Regiment would jump near the North Korean towns of Sukchon and Sunchon. Their mission was to capture North Korean officials fleeing Pyongyang and to rescue captured American Soldiers in the area as well. Paratroopers of the 1st and 3rd Battalions…
10 October 2001 – The first US death during Operation Enduring Freedom. US Air Force Master Sergeant Evander Andrews would die in a forklift accident while constructing an airfield in Qatar. In total over 2,200 US Service Members died during the duration of Operation Enduring Freedom. 11 October 1951 – During the Korean War the USMC would officially put helicopters…
6 October 1781 –The last battle. After some initial skirmishes and movements the Continental Army under General George Washington began the siege of British forces, under Cornwallis, at Yorktown. A combined American and French force would begin digging trenches ever closer to the British defenses in order to bombard them with artillery. After several days of bombardment …
30 September 1949 – The Berlin Airlift officially ends. The Berlin Blockade was one of the first international crises of the Cold War. Due to conflicting relations with the Western Allies after WW2, the USSR cut off all supply routes to West Berlin from the Allies. With the population of West Berlin being cut off from all food,…
20 September 1777 – The Paoli Massacre. Following American retreats after the Battle of Brandywine and Battle of the Clouds, George Washington left a force under the command of Brigadier General Anthony Wayne behind to harass British troops moving towards Philadelphia. At this time Philadelphia was the capital of the newly born USA. General Anthony Wayne camped his force fairly close to British troops…
