US Military History Throughout The Years

Short bits of history you know, and some you may not!

• USCGC Muskeget: Wednesday, September 9, 1942 – During her second patrol as a weather ship for the US Coast Guard the USCGC Muskeget would disappear after sending a report without a trace. The USCGC Muskeget was on loan from the US Navy during WW2 and had a crew of 114. At the time it was unknown what at happened to the ship and all crew members were listed as killed in action and the wreckage of the ship was never found. It was later found that the USCGC Muskeget had been sunk by the German Navy submarine U-755. The submarine misidentified as a auxiliary merchant cruiser and fired two torpedos at her. After the attack U-755 returned to the area to find a larger oil slick and two life rafts tied together with 8 survivors on board. the submarine departed the area soon after. No survivors were ever found by the US and the ship was struck from the Navy List in 1943.
• Quick Negotiations: Wednesday, September 11, 1776 – Three months after the American Colonies declared their independence, British and American representatives would hold a brief and informal conference. The meeting was an attempt by the British to bring peace in the colonies and quickly end the revolution. Lord Howe, commander of British land forces in the colonies would lead the talks, but was extremely limited in his power to negotiate. As a result the American Congressional members at the talks were pessimistic, their main demands were British recognition of the recent Declaration of Independence of the American Colonies. After just three hours of unsuccessful negations the conference would end and the British would resume their military campaign for control of New York City.
• Don’t Tread On Me: Wednesday, September 11, 2002 – On the first anniversary of the 9/11 attacks the US Navy readopts the First Navy Jack as their naval jack. The jack is traditionally regarded as the first jack used by the US Navy, though that is disputed. It is notable for featuring the words “DONT TREAD ON ME” along with a gold snake ontop of 13 red and white strips. In 2019 the First Naval Jack was replaced with the Union Jack (not the British one!) for US Navy ships. The First Naval Jack was returned to flying only on the US Navy’s oldest operational ship, which is currently the USS Blue Ridge, a amphibious command ship that has been in service for 50 years.
• Neutrality: Tuesday, September 5, 1939 – Following years of US isolationism during the 1920’s and 1930’s the US would formally proclaim its neutrality in the newly forming war in Europe. President FDR would invoke the provisions of existing acts as Germany invaded Poland but would argue that the US being on the sidelines would embolden aggressor countries. While nations fighting would be under embargo from buying war material, others could potentially buy from the US and then sell it to fighting nations. In November, after arguing with isolationists in Congress President FDR would sign the Neutrality Act of 1939. Under this act the US would begin an early version of the Lend Lease program, selling war material to Britain and France. Earlier acts form 1935 and 1937 were repealed under the act as well, barring American ships and citizens from war zones and arms trade without a license became a federal crime.
• First Team: Saturday, September 11, 1965 – The 1st Calvary Division becomes the first US unit to deploy in full strength to Vietnam. With the arrival of 1st Cav the US strength in Vietnam would grow to over 125,000 troops. The division was organized around a new concept where ground units would move around the battlefield in helicopters. The division would quickly take part in the first major engagement of US and North Vietnamese forces during the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley. Throughout the war and its deployments, the division would fight in all four corps level tactical areas the only division to do so. They would suffer more casualties than any other Army division, with 5,444 killed and 26,592 wounded. The First and Third Marine Divisions would suffer more killed in action than 1st Cav.

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