This Week in Naval History 14 March

Private George Phillips, USMC; posthumous Medal of Honor recipient (Iwo Jima);

This Week in Naval History

14 Mar 1945: MOH – 2 Marines during Iwo Jima battle

On 14 March 1945, during the Battle for Iwo Jima, two U.S. Marines each performed acts of “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life.” Private George Phillips selflessly absorbed an enemy missile with his body and sacrificed his own life to safe his comrades from serious injury. Private Franklin E. Sigler charged and destroyed the stubborn enemy gun installation, then assaulted other positions that overlooked the first. Though seriously wounded, he continued to direct fire on the enemy and assisted other injured Marines until finally ordered to obtain medical treatment.


15 Mar 1957: ZPG-2 airship set record in distance & endurance

From Grossnick, Roy A. (1986)

On 15 March 1957, a ZPG-2 airship, commanded by Commander Jack R. Hunt, landed at NAS Key West, Fl., after a flight that began March 4 at South Weymouth, Mass., and circled over the Atlantic Ocean toward Portugal, the African coast and back, for a new world record in distance and endurance, covering 9,448 statute miles and remaining airborne 264 hours 12 minutes without refueling. For his accomplishment in commanding the airship on this flight, Commander Hunt was awarded the 1958 Harmon International Trophy for Aeronauts.

16 Mar 1966: Gemini 8 was launched

On 16 March 1966, Gemini 8 was launched. Former Naval Aviator Neil Armstrong and Major David R. Scott, USAF, were on this mission which completed 7 orbits in 10 hours and 41 minutes at an altitude of 161.3 nautical miles. Recovery was by USS Leonard F. Mason (DD 852). Though the mission conducted the first docking of two spacecraft in orbit, it suffered a critical failure that threatened the astronaut lives, and the mission was immediately aborted.

17 Mar 1959: 1st USN sub surfaced at the North Pole

On 17 March 1959, USS Skate (SSN-578) became the first US Navy submarine to surface at the North Pole. Note, her 3,000 mile journey had her in the Arctic region for over a month, and her crew later received the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon for “the first time the ability of submarines to operate in and under the Arctic ice in the dead of winter.”

18 Mar 1991: 1st US Navy ship supporting Desert Storm returned

On 18 March 1991, the first ship supporting Operation Desert Shield/Storm, USS Sylvania (AFS 2), returned back to Norfolk, Virginia. While supporting Desert Shield/Storm, the combat stores ship delivered 19,000+ pallets of cargo (equaling 20,500 tons of supplies), answered 30,000+ requisitions, and delivered spare parts and food sustaining 35,000+ sailors aboard 150 ships.

19 Mar 1969: MOH – HM2 David R. Ray

On 19 March 1969, while serving with Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, at Phu Loc 6 in Quang Nam Province, Hospital Corpsman Second Class David R. Ray was killed in action while providing medical aid to injured Marines during an enemy attack on his unit. Petty Officer Ray was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in that action and USS David R. Ray (DD 971) was named in his honor.

20 Mar 1833: First treaty between the US and an Asian power

On 20 March 1833, representing the United States, the Honorable Edmund Roberts signed the Treaty of Amity, with the King of Siam (now Thailand), which was first treaty between the United States an Asian Power. Roberts was transported by USS Peacock, which was accompanied by USS Boxer. Following the signing, the warships then proceeded to Arabia where Roberts negotiated a treaty of amity and commerce with the Sultan of Muscat on 21 September 1833.