Today in U.S. Naval History: September 23

Posted by Eric Haun September 23, 2014

USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort (U.S. Navy photo)

Today in U.S. Naval History - September 23

1779 - Capt. John Paul Jones in Continental Navy frigate Bonhomme Richard captures HMS Serapis.

1931 - Lt. Alfred Pride pilots Navy's first rotary wing aircraft, XOP-1 autogiro, in landings and takeoffs on board USS Langley while underway.

1944 - Naval Task Group lands Army troops on Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands

1944 - USS West Virginia (BB-48) reaches Pearl Harbor and rejoins the Pacific Fleet, marking the end of the salvage and reconstruction of 18 ships damaged at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

1947 - James Forrestal, former SECNAV, takes office as first Secretary of Defense

1990 - Two Hospital ships (USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort) steam together for first time in Arabian Gulf

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