Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo #  NH 104150: The First Flag Raising on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, 23 February 1945.

Archive of Older "What's New in the Online Library of Selected Images?" --
Entries posted from March through December 2006


This page features the Online Library's 'What's New?' entries for March through December 2006.

For the more recent entries, and links to previous years' entries, see:

  • What's New in the Online Library of Selected Images.

    For earlier entries from the year 2006, see:

  • What's New in the Online Library of Selected Images? -- Entries posted in January and February 2006.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Photo # NH 104355-KN: Battleship (probably USS Tennessee) bombarding Iwo Jima, circa 19 February 1945. Original Kodachrome 35mm color slide taken by Lt. Howard W. Whalen, USNR. The year 2006 ends with further progress on our growing (but still far from finished) presentation on 1945's Iwo Jima Operation. Two major sections were added in December, one concerning Maps and Wide-Area Aerial Views of Iwo Jima and the other providing views of the Pre-landing Bombardment and Other Landing Zone Preparations. An important element of the latter features nearly thirty original color photographs of the bombardment made by an officer of USS Sanborn (APA-193), one of the invasion force transports. These unique images, a few of which were published about a decade ago, are part of a significant collection of World War II color photographs taken by Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen, USNR. The bulk of this collection will become part of the Online Library during the next few months.

    One other notable Naval Reserve officer joined the ranks this month, Vice Admiral Paul F. Foster, whose distinguished Navy career included receipt of the Medal of Honor for his conduct during the 1914 Vera Cruz operation, World War I submarine command in combat and "extraordinary heroism" during a shipboard explosion and fire in 1924. During the late 1950s Foster became the U.S. representative of the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency.
    Photo # NH 104188:  Girl Scouts from New York City visiting USNS General William O. Darby, 1965 Making their initial Online Library appearances are several ships of World War II or later vintage, including the amphibious force command ship Adirondack (AGC-15), transport Admiral W.S. Sims (AP-127) -- which saw most of its service as USNS General William O. Darby (T-AP-127), attack transport Hocking (APA-121), vehicle landing ship Montauk (LSV-6, previously AN-2 and AP-161) -- which was later renamed Galilea (AKN-6), cargo ship Oberon (AK-56, later AKA-14) and tank landing ship Stone County (LST-1141).
    A fair number of World War I acquired vessels also made their way into the ranks. Seagoing ships include the transport Philippines (ID # 1677); cargo ships Elinor (ID # 2465), Munaires (ID # 2197) and Western Hope (ID # 3771); and oilers Frank H. Buck (ID # 1613), George G. Henry (ID # 1560) -- which was also USS Victoria (AO-46) during World War II, Gold Shell (ID # 3021) and Hoxbar (ID # 4341. Patrol boats and other relatively small craft are Elco # 7, Elco 10 (both of which later went to the Italian Navy), Eleanor (SP-677), Elf (SP-81), Elfin (SP-965), Elithro II (SP-15), Elizabeth (SP-1092) and Elmasada (SP-109). There is also the harbor tug Elliott (ID # 2898). Ships considered for Naval service, but not taken over, are: freighter Lake Grainger (ID # 4276) and tanker Silver Shell (ID # 2270).
    We also prepared another hull number list, this one covering AP types, or (for the benefit of those who have not yet committed the entire Navy ship designation system to memory) Transports.
    31 December 2006



    Photo # NH 104311-KN: Amphibious tractors (LVT) underway near Iwo Jima, circa 19 February 1945. Original Kodachrome 35mm color slide taken by Lt. Howard W. Whalen, USNR. Following another long interval, we have many new(ish) Online Library items to report, with the most significant being the beginnings of what will grow into a rather large presentation on the Iwo Jima Operation of February and March 1945. This invasion, and the ensuing land battle between the U.S. Marines and the Japanese, is the subject of a recent motion picture. It is also an important lesson in the heroism and high costs involved in overcoming a well planned and resolutely conducted defense.
    Presentations have also been posted on twenty-six of the twenty-seven men awarded the Medal of Honor for their conduct during the Iwo Jima operation. These are (in chronological order of the actions for which the medal war awarded, and with their rank at that time):

  • Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Rufus G. Herring, USNR -- 17 February 1945; Photo #  80-G-435702: U.S. Navy doctors and corpsmen administer to wounded Marines at an Iwo Jima first aid station, 20 February 1945. Photographed by Warrant Officer Obie Newcomb, Jr., USMCR.
  • Sergeant Darrell S. Cole, , USMCR -- 19 February 1945 (posthumous award);
  • Private First Class Donald J. Ruhl, USMCR -- 19-21 February 1945 (posthumous award);
  • Corporal Tony Stein, USMCR -- 19 February 1945 (posthumous award);
  • Private First Class Jacklyn H. Lucas, USMCR -- 20 February 1945;
  • Captain Robert H. Dunlap, USMCR -- 20-21 February 1945;
  • Sergeant Ross F. Gray, USMCR -- 21 February 1945 (posthumous award)
  • Captain Joseph J. McCarthy, USMCR -- 21 February 1945;
  • Corporal Hershel W.Williams, USMCR -- 23 February 1945;
  • Private First Class Douglas T. Jacobson, USMCR -- 26 February 1945;
  • Private Wilson D. Watson, USMCR -- 26-27 February 1945;
  • Gunnery Sergeant William G. Walsh, USMCR -- 27 February 1945 (posthumous award);
  • Pharmacist's Mate First Class John H.Willis, USN -- 28 February 1945 (posthumous award); Photo #  NH 104150: The First Flag Raising on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, 23 February 1945
BORDER=
  • Corporal Charles J. Berry, USMC -- 3 March 1945 (posthumous award);
  • Private First Class William R. Caddy, USMCR -- 3 March 1945 (posthumous award);
  • Sergeant William G. Harrell, USMC -- 3 March 1945;
  • Pharmacist's Mate Second Class George E. Wahlen, USN -- 3 March 1945;
  • Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Jack Williams, USNR -- 3 March 1945 (posthumous award);
  • Second Lieutenant John H. Leims, USMCR -- 7 March 1945;
  • Private First Class James D. La Belle, USMCR -- 8 March 1945 (posthumous award);
  • First Lieutenant Jack Lummus, USMCR -- 8 March 1945 (posthumous award);
  • Platoon Sergeant Joseph R. Julian, USMCR -- 9 March 1945 (posthumous award);
  • Private George Phillips, USMCR -- 14 March 1945 (posthumous award);
  • Private Franklin E. Sigler, USMCR -- 14 March 1945;
  • Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis J. Pierce, USN -- 15-16 March 1945; and
  • First Lieutenant Harry L. Martin, USMCR -- 26 March 1945 (posthumous award).
    We also made a page presenting all posted Medal of Honor recipients in chronological order, as well as in alphabetical order, thus providing users with two different approaches for accessing this subject.

    Photo #  NH 59656:  German armored ship Admiral Graf Spee at Montevideo, Uruguay, following the Battle of the River Plate. Two other Second World War events have also recently been added to the Online Library, including the 13 December 1939 Battle of the River Plate and the 1 February 1944 collision between the battleships Indiana and Washington, during the operation to seize the Marshall Islands. The River Plate page was prepared as part of a presentation on the German armored ship Admiral Graf Spee. The page on the two battleships' collision demonstrates the sometimes tragic consequences of losing situational awareness while maneuvering at night with other ships in close company.

    A First World War incident contributed three more pages, one concerning the U.S. Navy cargo ship Ticonderoga (ID # 1958), which was sunk with great loss of life on 30 September 1918. Photo # NH 48048: Commander James J. Madison, USNRF, wearing the Medal of Honor, circa 1919 The second page and third pages relate to her assailant, the German submarine U-152, and her Commanding Officer, Commander James J. Madison, USNRF. He received the Medal of Honor for his performance in this action, but died about four years later as a result of the injuries he had received. USS Madison (DD-425) was named in his honor.

    Several other people have recently joined the Online Library. Moving chronologically, we first encounter Commander William H. Allen, a hero of American conflicts with Great Britain before and during the War of 1812. USS Allen (Destroyer # 66), which bore his name, was posted earlier this year. Officers from later in the 19th Century include Rear Admiral George B. Balch, Lieutenant (later Brigadier General) Edward F. Beale (a notable Mexican War figure), Captain James S. Thornton, Rear Admiral Andrew E.K. Benham and Lieutenant Hugh W. McKee (who was killed in action during the June 1871 assault on Korean fortifications). There is also a notable South Carolina politician, Senator Benjamin R. ("Pitchfork Ben") Tillman, Chairman of the Senate Naval Affairs Committee before and during World War I. There are also five more Medal of Honor recipients. Seaman George H. Rose was awarded the medal for his actions in June 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion. The other four, awarded the medal for their activities during the Vera Cruz intervention of April 1914, are: Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, Captain Edwin A. Anderson, Chief Gunner's Mate George Bradley, and Chief Turret Captain Abraham DeSomer.

    Photo # 80-G-K-15840:  USS McKee steaming of Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii, 1943.A large number of U.S. Navy ships have been named in honor of most of these men, with all of those ships now represented in the Online Library. They include USS Balch (Destroyer # 50), USS Balch (DD-363), USS Beale (Destroyer # 40), USS Beale (DD-471, later DDE-471), USS Thornton (Torpedo Boat # 33), USS Thornton (Destroyer # 270, later AVD-11), USS Benham (Destroyer # 49), USS Benham (DD-397), USS Benham (DD-796), USS McKee (Torpedo Boat # 18), USS McKee (Destroyer # 87, USS McKee (DD-575), USS Tillman (Destroyer # 135), and USS Tillman (DD-641). There are older pages covering USS Fletcher (DD-445, later DDE-445) , USS Fletcher (DD-992) and USS Anderson (DD-411). Other recently posted destroyer type ships include USS Burrows (DD-29), USS Burrows (DE-105), USS Sampson (Destroyer # 63) and USS Sampson (DD-394).

    Photo # NH 41774: Miss Marian K. Paine christens USS S-10 during launching ceremonies at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, 9 December 1920 There are a good many newly added cruisers, patrol vessels, submarines, amphibs and auxiliaries. Representing the first two categories are USS West Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5), renamed Huntington in 1916, USS Maryland (Armored Cruiser # 8), renamed Frederick in 1916, and USS Might (PG-94). The subs are USS L-9 (Submarine # 49), USS O-9 (Submarine # 70), USS R-6 (Submarine # 83), USS S-10 (SS-10), USS S-30 (SS-30), USS Searaven (SS-196), and USS Pilotfish (SS-386).
    The "Gator Navy" offers USS Towner (AKA-77) and USS Washtenaw County (LST-1166). Auxiliaries include USS Aludra (AK-72), sunk by a Japanese submarine in 1943, USS Aludra (AF-55), USS Cliffrose (AN-42), USS General J.C. Breckinridge (AP-176), USS Okala (ARST-2), and USS Piscataqua (AT-49).

    Photo # NH 65081:  Launch of SS Westpool, at Seattle, Washington, 1918As is usually the case, we offer a "flotilla" or so of World War I acquired vessels, among them the troop transports Edward Luckenbach (ID # 1662), Otsego (ID # 1628), South Bend (ID # 4019), and Tenadores (1918-1918). Patrol vessels and utility craft include Edorea (SP-549), Edward J. McKeever (SP-684), Efco (ID # 2405), Edamena II (SP-14), Edith II (SP-246), Express # 4 (SP-745). In addition to the already-mentioned USS Ticonderoga, "new" WWI era cargo ships are Edith (ID # 3459), El Capitan (ID # 1407), El Occidente (ID # 3307), Western Star (ID # 4210), Westpool (ID # 3675), West View (1918-1919), West Zucker (ID # 3584), and West Zula (ID # 3501). Other WWI acquired vessels include the harbor tugs Edgar F. Coney (SP-346) and Edwin L. Pillsbury (SP-964), and the personnel ferry (and later freight and water barge) Rin Tin Tin.
    Finally, there are a couple of civilian vessels that had no U.S. Navy service: the motor boat Emmigrant of 1918, and the Norwegian sailing bark Stifinder, which was built in 1894 for operation as a British merchantman.
    30 November 2006



    Photo # NH 41763:  HMS Agincourt operating at sea in 1918 with all fourteen of her twelve-inch guns trained out to port. Since it's been a mighty long time since the last of these reports, let's reveal the identity of February's "Mystery Photo" right away, in the hope that somebody will remember it: The ship shown is HMS Agincourt, originally built for the Brazilians, then sold to the Turks and seized by the Royal Navy at the beginning of World War I. It was of remarkably unique appearance, with seven main battery gun turrets, one more than any other battleship of the "Dreadnought" era. The other ship mentioned in February's little teaser was the previous HMS Agincourt, one of three British ironclads with five masts.

    Photo #  NH 85562-KN:  Lithograph of S.S. Great Eastern While we are on the subject of Brits, during the springtime we added several more Royal Navy battleships, an armored cruiser and a most notable merchant steamer. The latter is the famous "great iron ship", S.S. Great Eastern, whose title as World's largest ship lasted for more than four decades. The warships include the other two five-mast battleships of the 1860s: HMS Minotaur and HMS Northumberland, the ill-fated ironclad Vanguard, the "Pre-Dreadnought" battleship Vengeance, the armored cruiser Minotaur, the battleship Vanguard (which accidently blew up in 1917 with the loss of nearly her entire crew), the battleship Erin (also seized from Turkey in 1914) and the last of the Royal Navy's long line of battleships: HMS Vanguard of 1946.

    Photo # NH 103582-KM:  Knights of Columbus postal card for returning troops, 1919 Recently posted U.S. Navy ships include a post-Civil War steam sloop, an armored cruiser, three long-serving transports and two other Second World War ships. USS Benicia of 1869 leads off this list, followed by USS Colorado (Armored Cruiser # 7), which was renamed Pueblo later in its career. The transports are USNS General Simon B. Buckner (T-AP-123), originally named Admiral E.W. Eberle; USNS General Nelson M. Walker (T-AP-125), orignally Admiral H.T. Mayo; and USNS David C. Shanks (T-AP-180). All three of these ships also served with the U.S. Army's water transportation service. The final two ships are USS Inca (IX-229), which provides an interesting tale of a ship which was apparently forgotten by a rather busy Navy Department, and USS LST-823.

    Photo # NH 103854:  Admiral James L. Holloway, III, with his father, Admiral James L. Holloway, Jr., in 1974.  They were the only father and son to have attained four-star rank while on active duty with the U.S. NavyThe remainder of this report is dedicated to people, among them Admiral James L Holloway, III, who was Chief of Naval Operations in 1974-1978 and more recently has been Chairman of the Naval Historical Foundation. Lieutenant Commander Andrew B. Cummings, a hero of the Civil War, and Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce, one of the late 19th Century Navy's most influential officers, complete the initial part of our "people" list.

    The remainder of this listing covers Navy and Marine Corps officers and enlisted men who received the Medal of Honor. Eleven of them were awarded the medal for their conduct during the Civil War, including: Aaron Anderson, Robert Blake, Cornelius Cronin, John Davis, Bartholomew Diggins, James Mifflin, William D. Newland, Joachim Pease, William R. Pelham, Louis C. Shepard and Joseph E. Vantine.

    Photo # NH 79954:  Crew of USS Merrimac during the 3 June 1989 attempt to block the entrance to Santiago harbor, CubaAnother six were awarded the medal for heroic activities during the three decades after the Civil War: Daniel Atkins, William Halford (whose story represents one of the Navy's greatest feats of seamanship), Patrick J. Kyle, William F. Lukes, Joseph Noil and George Willis.

    The Spanish-American War is represented by fourteen men who received the Medal of Honor, among them six who participated in a boat expedition to cut Cuba's cable communications with the outside World: Benjamin F. Baker, Austin J. Durney, William Meyer, Harry H. Miller, Willard D. Miller and Samuel S. Triplett. Eight others took part in a daring attempt to bottle up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago, Cuba: Richmond P. Hobson (who commanded the operation), George Charette, Claus K.R. Clausen, Osborn W. Deignan, Francis Kelly, Daniel Montague, John E. Murphy and George F. Phillips.
    6 July 2006



    This page features the Online Library's 'What's New?' entries for March through December 2006.

    For the more recent entries, and links to previous years' entries, see:

  • What's New in the Online Library of Selected Images.

    For earlier entries from the year 2006, see:

  • What's New in the Online Library of Selected Images? -- Entries posted in January and February 2006.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Online Library listing.

    Page made 31 December 2006