Commemorative Events

Midway Dinner

"Air Attack on Japanese Carriers" by Griffith Baily Coale, Navy Art 88-188-AE

In 1999, the Chief of Naval Operations sent a message to the fleet directing the annual commemoration of two significant events in our proud naval history—the birth of our Navy on 13 October 1775, and the U.S. Navy’s World War II victory at Midway from 4 to 7 June, 1942.

Each year, a dedicated group of non-governmental Navy organizations in the Washington, DC-area have banded together as the Battle of Midway Commemoration Committee to help carry out that Navy leadership directive.  The groups include:

• The Association of Naval Aviation
• The Association of the U.S. Navy
• The Naval Historical Foundation
• The Naval Order of the United States
• The Navy league of the United States
• The Surface Navy Association
• The Tailhook Association
• The U.S. Naval Institute
• The U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation

In past years the speaker and program have been:

Each year, Navy commands around the world gather to remember the service and sacrifice of those who wrote what Admiral Chester W. Nimitz rightly called “a glorious page in our history.”  And what led to that victory?

The Battle of Midway, fought near the Central Pacific atoll of that name, is considered to be one of the most decisive battles of World War II in general and of the Pacific campaign in particular.

From a vantage point of sixty nine years, we look back at Midway as more significant than simply a strategic victory which, as part of a grueling campaign from the battle of the coral sea through the successful capture of Guadalcanal, turned the tide in the Pacific. Historians have suggested that Midway had a broader impact on the outcome of World War II as well as the geo-political configuration of Cold War Europe.

Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger asserted at this dinner several years ago, “Midway was far more than a decisive naval victory. It was far more than the turning of the tide in the Pacific war. In a strategic sense, Midway represents one of the turning points of world history – and in that role it remains under-appreciated.”

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Navy Birthday Celebration

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert cuts the Navy birthday cake with the youngest Sailor present at the Navy Birthday Ball at the Hilton hotel, Oct. 14. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon E. Renfroe/Released)

In June 1999, then-CNO ADM Jay Johnson signed out a NAVADMIN message stating “…the two most significant dates in our naval history are 13 October 1775, the birth of our Navy, and 4 June 1942, the battle of Midway. These two prominent days will henceforth be celebrated annually as the centerpieces of our heritage. During the week of 13 October, all commands are encouraged to participate in birthday activities such as birthday balls and historical seminars to celebrate the origin of our service.”

From 1999 through 2005, the Commandant, Naval District Washington hosted, organized and ran the annual birthday celebration.  In 2006, after a series of meetings between representatives of NDW and National Capital Council Navy League (NCCNL) and Naval Historical Foundation (NHF), NCCNL agreed to host the event including issuing invitations, coordinating RSVPs, contracting with the hotel venue, developing the evening sequence of events, inviting senior Navy leadership, printing programs, etc.

NHF agreed co-host the event with a role of providing an annual historic theme for the event, including displaying appropriate historic images and sometimes producing a video about that theme. NHF-sponsored themes have included: Victory in the Cold War; Centennial of the Great White Fleet; Honoring Navy Individual Augmentees in Iraq and Afghanistan; 40^th Anniversary of Apollo 11 and Navy in Space; Naval Aviation Centennial; Civil War Sesquicentennial.

The 2012 dinner theme will feature the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

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Submarine Force Birthday History Seminar

Presentations during the 2008 Submarine History Seminar

Each year, on or close to the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Force 11 April Birthday the Naval Submarine League, with the Naval Historical Foundation and the Naval History and Heritage Command as co-sponsors, produces a Submarine History Seminar in the Washington, DC area. Venues have included the U.S. Navy Memorial’s Naval Heritage Center and the National War College. The evening event includes refreshments, the presentations detailed below, and a ceremonial Submarine Force Birthday cake cutting.

2002 “The Education of Admiral Rickover.”

Biographer Frank Duncan discussed the youth and early career of Admiral Rickover followed by commentaries by his successors, Admiral Kinnaird McKee, USN (Ret.), Admiral Bruce DeMars, USN (Ret.) and Admiral Frank L. “Skip” Bowman, USN.

2003 “Run Silent, Run Deep: A Tribute to the Life of Captain Edward L. Beach.”

Four papers covering aspects of Beach’s life were presented by VADM Al Konetzni, USN; Capt. Jim Hay, USN (Ret.); author Paul Stillwell; and USNA English professor Fred Fetrow. Comments on Captain Beach’s legacy were offered by Naval History Director William Dudley; VADM J. Guy Reynolds, USN (Ret.); former MCPON John Hagan, USN (Ret.); and son Edward A. Beach.

2004 “Nautilus at 50.”

Three papers were presented by Naval Historical Center historian Gary Weir; Capt. Jack Crawford, USN (Ret.), an engineer at Naval Reactors through the development period; and VADM Kenneth Carr, USN (Ret.) a member of the first Nautilus wardroom, on the construction of Nautilus and her impact on naval warfare.

2005 “Raiders from the Deep.”

Three presentations covered the use of submarines as Special Forces delivery platforms.  CDR Phil Eckert, USN (Ret.) who served in USS Argonaut, described her raids in World War II, early Cold War operations were detailed by Col. John Ripley, USMC, (Ret.) and current and future capabilities were discussed by Capt. Rick Ruehlin, USN.

2006 “Strategic Systems Programs 50^th Anniversary.”

Three presentations covered the 50 year history of the Strategic Systems Programs. RADM Robert Wertheim, USN (Ret.) addressed the early years of the program; VADM Kenneth C. Malley, USN (Ret.) covered the development of Fleet Ballistic Missile Program leading to the Trident Missile; and RADM Charles Young, USN dealt with recent events and current issues.

2007 “Cold War Under the Sea: How Submarine Intelligence Collection Made a Difference—Lessons from the Past.”

VADM Roger Bacon, USN (Ret.), former DCNO for Submarine Warfare; RADM Thomas Brooks, USN (Ret.), former Director of Naval Intelligence; and Mr. Richard Haver, former Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence, spoke about surveillance and reconnaissance operations by USN and allied submarines.

2008 “Fifty Years Under the Ice: A Historical Look at the Scientific, Strategic and Operational Aspects of Submarine Arctic Operations.”

VADM Ken Carr, USN (Ret.) spoke about the Nautilus first polar cruise; CAPT Merrill Dorman, USN (Ret.) covered several decades of arctic operations history; and CAPT Robert Perry, USN detailed recent such operations.

2009 “Submarines in Land Attack.”

CAPT Peter Fullinwider, USN (Ret.) spoke about Regulus missile operations; RADM Walter Locke, USN (Ret.) covered the early years of submarine launched cruise missiles; Ambassador Linton Brooks (CAPT, USN (Ret.) dealt with submarine launched cruise missile policy.

2010 “Ocean Surveillance During the Cold War: Sensing, Fusion, Exploitation.”

CAPT William Manthorpe, USN (Ret.), former Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence moderated the seminar. RADM Thomas A. Brooks, USN (Ret.), former Director of Naval Intelligence spoke about the “sensing” of the Ocean Surveillance Information System (OSIS); “fusion” was covered by CAPT James Donovan, USN (Ret.), former commanding officer of Naval Ocean Processing Facility Dam Neck, describing the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS); and RADM Eric A. McVadon, USN (Ret.), former Commander, Iceland Defense Force spoke about Cold War maritime patrol aircraft exploitation of the information gathered on Soviet submarine operations.

2011 “The Rise of the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile.”

Led by moderator CAPT Pete Boyne, former Deputy Director of Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), a distinguished panel discussed the concept, development, and operational deployment of the SLBM nuclear weapons deterrent.  The panel consisted of Mr. Franklin Miller, Former Senior Director for Defense Policy and Arms Control, National Security Council; VADM Jerry Miller, USN (Ret), author of “Stockpile” and “Nuclear Weapons and Aircraft Carriers” and former Deputy Director Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff; and Mr. Phillip Lantz, founder, President and CEO of Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.