This Day In Naval History: July 06
1747 - John Paul Jones is born in Arbigland, Scotland. Originally appointed to the Continental Navy in 1775, he is known for his quote, Ive not yet begun to fight! during the battle between Continental frigate, Bonhomme Richard, and HMS Serapis on Sept. 23, 1779.
1898 - During the Spanish-American War, the auxiliary-cruiser USS Dixie captures the Spanish vessels, Three Bells, Pilgrim, and Greeman Castle, off Cape Cruz, Cuba.
1943 - Following the Allied landing on New Georgia, the Japanese attempt to land reinforcements with 10 destroyers, resulting in the Battle of Kula Gulf. In the battle, USS Helena (CL 50) is hit by three torpedoes, breaks apart, and sinks, with nearly 170 of her crew lost.
1943 - While serving as VB 102's Squadron Commander and as Plane Commander of a PB4Y 1 Patrol Bomber during the Central Solomons campaign, Lt. Cmdr. Bruce A. Van Voorhis courageously undertakes a lone long-range mission to disrupt potential Japanese attacks. While striking enemy facilities and aircraft at Greenwich Island in the face of overwhelming aerial opposition, Van Voorhis' plane is caught in the blast of its own bombs and crashes into a nearby lagoon, killing those on board. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, he is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and promoted to Commander.
1944 - USS Paddle (SS 263) attacks a Japanese convoy northwest of Halmahera and sinks destroyer Hokaze off Sangi Island. Also on this date, USS Sealion (SS 315) attacks a Japanese convoy in the East China Sea and sinks merchant passenger cargo ship Setsuzan Maru off Ningpo, China while USS Tang (SS 306) sinks Japanese freighter Dori Maru in Chosen Bay.
(Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division)
