This Week in Naval History

0 Comments | US Navy Press Releases, Jun 05, 2001

. This Week in Naval History: - June 11, 1953: U.S. naval forces evacuate more than 20,000 Koreans from west coast islands north of the 38th parallel to safety in the south. This was to protect them from possible retribution from vengeful Communist soldiers. - June 12, 1775: The first naval action of the American Revolution occurs when armed citizens of Machias, Maine, board and capture the British armed schooner Margaretta in Machias' harbor. - June 13, 1867: The American sloops-of-war Hartford and Wyoming land a naval brigade of 181 Sailors and Marines on Formosa (present-day Taiwan). They attacked the aborigines in retaliation for the massacre of the crew of the American merchant ship Rover. - June 14, 1945: U.S. Marines and soldiers break through Japan's final line of defense on the island of Okinawa. The Japanese fight as fiercely as ever, but it is clear the end of the battle is near. - June 15, 1898: Gunfire from the battleship USS Texas, the cruiser USS Marblehead and auxiliary cruiser USS Suwanee destroy the Spanish fort at Caimanera on Guantanamo Bay during the Spanish-American War. - June 16, 1953: The aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVA 37) establishes a Korean War record by launching 184 sorties against enemy positions in a single day. - June 17, 1898: The Navy Hospital Corps was established by an act of Congress as an organized until under the Medical Department. The act established the warrant rank of pharmacist and three enlisted ratings: Hospital Steward (chief petty officer), Hospital Apprentice 1st Class (3rd class petty officer) and Hospital Apprentice.

Visit the Naval Historical Center web site at http://www.history.navy.mil for more information about naval history.