Today in U.S. Naval History: October 17

MarineLink.com October 17, 2013

USS Kearny (DD-432) (Photo: Tracy White)

Today in U.S. Naval History - October 17

1922 - LCDR Virgil C. Griffin in Vought VE-7SF makes first takeoff from U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV-1) anchored in York River, Virginia.

1941 - U-568 torpedoes and damages USS Kearny (DD-432) near Iceland, resulting in 11 killed and 22 injured.

1944 - Naval Forces land Army rangers on islands at the entrance to Leyte Gulf in preparation for landings.

1989 - Following San Francisco earthquake, 24 Navy and Military Sealift Command ships rendered assistance.

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