Today in U.S. Naval History: March 19

Today in U.S. Naval History - March 19

1898 - USS Oregon departs San Francisco for 14,000 mile trip around South America to join U.S. Squadron off Cuba

1917 - Navy Department authorizes enrollment of women in Naval Reserve with ratings of yeoman, radio electrician, or other essential ratings.

1942 - SecNav gave Civil Engineering Corps command of Seabees

2003 - Operation Iraqi Freedom begins with Tomahawk strikes from Navy ships and submarines.

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