Today is Navy Day, which is the day this republic recognizes the efforts of the United States Navy, the largest naval force in the world. Navy Day was established by the Navy League in 1922, using this date in honor of Teddy Roosevelt’s birthday. Although this is the day for the public to show their appreciation to the Navy, its established birth date is recognized as October 13th, when the Continental Congress of 1775 passed the following resolution:
Resolved, That a swift sailing vessel, to carry ten carriage guns, and a proportionable number of swivels, with eighty men, be fitted, with all possible despatch, for a cruise of three months, and that the commander be instructed to cruize eastward, for intercepting such transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for our enemies, and for such other purposes as the Congress shall direct.
That a Committee of three be appointed to prepare an estimate of the expence, and lay the same before the Congress, and to contract with proper persons to fit out the vessel.
Resolved, that another vessel be fitted out for the same purposes, and that the said committee report their opinion of a proper vessel, and also an estimate of the expence.
Currently, the Navy has over 325,000 enlisted members, over 100,000 members in the reserves, and nearly 200,000 civilian employees. About a third of the U.S. Navy’s 272 battle force ships are currently deployed (including its aircraft carriers the USS George Washington (CVN 73), the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), and the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Its amphibious assault ships the USS Essex (LHD 2), the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the USS Boxer (LHD 4), and the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) are also sailing the seas at present. There are over 3,700 U.S. naval aircraft in operation today.
In the Wall Street Journal, Elliot Rosenberg recalls one significant Navy Day in New York City from 70 years ago, seven weeks after the Japanese signed the formal terms of surrender to end World War II. He writes,
Along a six-mile stretch of the Hudson River, 47 warships gathered—battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and submarine chasers.
President Truman was there. So was I. About 3.5 million people crowded along Manhattan’s West Side, with another 1.5 million viewing from New Jersey, according to press reports. Joining the USS Missouri, with its 16-inch turret guns bristling from its 56,000-ton frame, were the USS New York (an older battle wagon) and the USS Enterprise, the only aircraft carrier that had been active from Pearl Harbor to V-J Day.
At midafternoon, President Truman boarded a destroyer for a two-hour review of the assembled firepower. Twenty-one-gun salutes boomed from many of the vessels. Overhead, 1,200 Hellcat and Corsair fighters, Avenger torpedo planes and Helldiver bombers circled in 12-mile ovals. For half-hour spells on two successive nights the ships turned on their 24-inch and 36-inch searchlights, sending brilliant blue-white beams, with millions in candle power, flashing across the sky and illuminating the city’s skyscrapers. No fireworks display could compare.
Many of the ships initially moored at piers along the river, welcoming visitors, and tens of thousands clambered aboard. The Missouri was the biggest celebrity; visitors especially wanted to see a small starboard-deck plaque that read: “Over this spot on 2 September 1945 the instrument of formal surrender of Japan to the Allied Powers was signed.”
Here are a few videos released on the Navy’s YouTube channel that show but a sample of what the brave men and women in our naval forces are trained to do.
Below is the First Union Jack of the U.S. Navy. There is some dispute over when the version with the red and white stripes appeared along with the “Don’t Tread on Me” rattlesnake symbol, but regardless, this version has flown on all U.S. naval ships since September 11th, 2002, and is authorized to remain flying for the duration of the War on Terror.
This symbol makes it clear that our nation’s roots of independence run deep. This country remains as strong, prosperous, and free for as long as it has in large part due to our naval protectors. So thank you to our United States Navy–to those currently serving, and to those who have served.
Anchors aweigh!
And in belated recognition of yesterday’s National Day of the Deployed, a deep thank you to everyone in our armed forces who have been assigned to protect us from our enemies, foreign and domestic. Thanks to the families of the deployed who’ve had to make sacrifices, as well. We owe all of you a debt we can never repay in full.
