This Day in Naval History – April 15

1885 - Naval forces land at Panama to protect American interests during revolution

1912 - USS Chester and USS Salem sailed from MA to assist RMS Titanic survivors

1918 - First Marine Aviation Force formed at Marine Flying Field, Miami, FL

1961 - Launching of first nuclear-powered frigate, USS Bainbridge, at Quincy, MA

1962 - USS Princeton brought first Marine helicopters to Vietnam. This was first Marine advisory unit to arrive in South Vietnam.

1986 - Operation Eldorado Canyon, Navy aircraft from USS America (CV-66) and USS Coral Sea (CV-43) attack Libya in conjunction with USAF aircraft after Libya linked to terrorist bombing of West Berlin discotheque which killed 1 American and injured 78 people.

(Source: Navy News Service)