Today in U.S. Naval History: August 18

Today in U.S. Naval History - August 18

1838 - Exploring Expedition under Lt. Charles Wilkes embarks on world cruise.

1911 - First Navy Nurse Corps superintendent, Esther Voorhees Hasson, appointed

1965 - First major amphibious assault in Vietnam, Operation Starlight captures 2,000 Viet Cong

1966 - First ship-to-shore satellite radio message sent from USS Annapolis in South China Sea to Pacific Fleet Headquarters at Pearl Harbor

1974 - After flooding in Philippines, Navy helicopters begin six days of operations to rescue people and bring supplies (244 flights)

For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.