Combat footage of USS Washington (BB 56) defending the fleet carriers against an IJN air attack off Saipan, June 15, 1944.

AA suite in video
[20] 10x2 127mm/38 DP Guns
[60] 15x4 40mm/56 Bofors
[67] 63x1 || 1x4 20mm/70 Oerlikons
[147] Total AA Barrels

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"Good morning, gentlemen, the temperature is 110 degrees."

"Holy shit, it's Viper!"

The U.S. Naval Institute mourns the passing of Dr. Craig L. Symonds, distinguished naval historian, award-winning author, and professor emeritus of history at the U.S. Naval Academy. Through three decades of teaching and a lifetime of scholarship, he helped generations of naval derstand the people, decisions, and sacrifices that shaped our naval history.

In May 2023, Dr. Symonds addressed the Naval Institute’s 150th Annual Meeting, reflecting on the enduring relationship between the Navy and its independent forum. His remarks became his most recent Proceedings article, “A Two-Way Street: The Navy–Naval Institute’s 150-Year Relationship.” In it, he described the Institute as “a sounding board and not an echo chamber”—a reminder of the value of thoughtful debate in advancing the naval profession.

We honor his lasting contributions to naval history and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and former students. His legacy lives on in the people he taught and the history he brought to life.

Read his article and revisit his 2023 remarks.
usni.org/magazines/proc…

1942 Crux of War by Jonathan Parshall.

1248 pages to go.

85 years ago today, May 15, 1941, USS Washington (BB-56) was commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

She was placed in commission by RADM A.E. Watson, Commandant of the Fourth Naval District. Captain Howard H.J. Benson, USN assumed command as her first captain.

The was held on her fantail while she was docked alongside Pier 4.

British Pathé FILM ID 1115.29

Congrats to Bill Toti! He made The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War Podcast top tier.

Interesting. There was US and Hawaiian currency during WWII.

USS North Carolina (BB-55) exchanged $60K USD for $40K USD & $20K Hawaiian. I guess it was $1 to $1 exchange rate?

Never thought about it before. I'm curious what an example of Hawaiian currency was.

@battleshipnc

The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War Podcast talks about this specific event on today’s episode.

youtu.be/I56eLwuAETc?si…

Firefighting aboard USS Missouri (BB-63) after the kamikaze hit from a Japanese Zero on April 11, 1945.

80-G-273962

Watch a 14-inch shell in flight. Fired by USS Tennessee (BB-43) during the bombardment of Iwo Jima

She is armed with 14-inch/50 caliber Mark 11 guns firing the Mark 19 HC

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October 25, 1944 as TG 38.3 is chasing Japanese carriers

1251 VADM Mitscher, CTF 38 To RADM Dubose, ComCruDiv 13: "CVs with BBs to the north!"

1300 CTF 38 To CCD 13 "Do you think you can take them [BBs]?"

1301 CCD 13 to CTF 38 "I do not believe CL's should take on eve CruDiv 13 only had Santa Fe & Mobile at this time.

This is how RADM Dubose remembers the request via his ComCruDiv 13 Action Report. He was aboard USS Santa Fe (CL-60) at the time

The Yamato was at sea and attacked on March 19, 1945? Any damage? Never heard of this event. Time
To read War Diaries

The Winds of War (1983) a seven part American television miniseries based on Herman Wouk's fictional novel, chronicling the lead-up to WWII through the experiences of an American family - the Henry’s, particularly naval officer Victor "Pug" Henry, and his interactions with real historical figures and events in Europe and the Pacific

This is the best video quality I’ve seen anywhere online. Uploaded a few day ago.

I’ve heard Pug Henry is based on Mick Carney, Halseys Chief if Staff.

Part 1 below. All 7 on the same channel
youtu.be/vA8hxSHQ_q8?si…

USS Washington (BB-56) is anchored at Buoy E in Scapa Flow. She and the rest of TF 39 arrived on April 4 from the US to reinforce the Home Fleet.

Based on my research I’ve dated this picture to April 8, 1942. HMS Victorious arrived that morning and Wasp (CV-7) out of pic, left at 0715 the next morning April 9.

USS Washington (BB-56) is the flagship of TF 39 under command of RADM R.C. Giffen who hoisted his flag in her on April 5 after RADM J.W. Wilcox, then-CTF 39 aboard BB56, fell overboard and was lost at sea during the transit across the Atlantic.

Footage of USS Washington (BB-56) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) as they travel to the East coast via the Panama Canal on October 11, 1945.

Visitors and dignitaries were aboard the ships for the daylong transit through the canal.

They’re part of a task force returning home after tually split off for Navy Day ceremonies in various cities.

USS Washington to Philadelphia
USS North Carolina to Boston
USS Enterprise to New York City

British Pathé newsreel titled “US Fleet Comes Home”.

HMS Warspite in rough seas with her front turrets trained over the shoulder on a North Sea patrol in the winter of 1917/1918.

From user @ThinkingJack67 on NavWeaps #OverTheShoulder

16-inch shells from USS New Jersey landing near Quảng Ngãi seen from a Cessna O-1E Bird Dog Forward Air Controller as the battleship fired in support of the ARVN 2nd Infantry Division on March 11th 1969

HMS Victorious moored at Berth F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, Mar 4, 1943. The carrier was undergoing modifications for service during the period she was on loan to the US Fleet.

USS Neches (AO-47) refueling USS Essex (CV-9) or USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) in rough seas April 2, 1945.

The blades of her single propeller shaft spin above the waterline as her stern rises through the waves.

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