Emblem of the United States Navy

United States Navy

Not Self But Country

The Action Between the Frigates Bonhomme Richard (Capt John Paul Jones) and HMS Serapis, Battle Of Flamborough Head, 1779
The Action Between the US Bonhomme Richard - captained by John Paul Jones - and HMS Serapis, Battle Of Flamborough Head, 1779

The United States Navy was born during the American Revolution. After commanding three schooners to intercept English brigs carrying munitions to British troops, General George Washington urged Congress to form a navy. In 1775, the Continental Navy was established. Its existence was short-lived, however; after the Revolutionary War ended, the Continental Navy was disbanded and demobilized by 1785.

USS Constitution, 1803

USS Constitution, 1803

The newly formed United States operated without a navy until 1794 when President Washington persuaded Congress to sign An Act Providing Naval Armament. This act established a new naval force which was needed to combat piracy and harassment of American merchant vessels in the Mediterranean as well as safely explore potential new markets for American goods. The first vessels of the United States Navy, which included the U.S.S. Constellation and the U.S.S. Constitution, were launched in 1797.

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However, as piracy decreased, tensions with France increased and soon officials from the War Department, Department of the Treasury and Congress pushed for the establishment of a separate governmental department responsible for all naval affairs. On April 30, 1798, President John Adams officially established the Department of the Navy.

Expanding Naval Power

Original layout for the new Naval Academy,1896

Following the War of 1812, the fleet was expanded, and the Navy became responsible for protecting all overseas commerce. The government became increasingly aware that Naval officers needed formalized training as the role of the Navy in the protection of American interests grew. Although discussed as early as 1825, the first Naval Academy was not established until October 10, 1845, at Fort Severn in Annapolis, Maryland. In 1850, it was known as the U.S. Naval Academy. Over the next 15 years, the United States would come to possess a total of 671 ships, making it the largest naval fleet in the world.

GALLERY.

Hannah, Continental Navy Schooner, Evades British Ships off Cape Ann Massachusetts, September 5, 1775
Hannah, Continental Navy Schooner, 1775
Broadside urging men to sign up for service on a privateer, September 17, 1776
Privateer recruiting broadside, 1776
Capt. John Paul Jones. Commander in the Service of France and America, Mezzotint, 1780
Captain John Paul Jones, Continental Navy Commander, 1780
Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie, William Henry Powell, 1857, State Capitol, Columbus, Ohio
The Battle of Lake Erie, War of 1812
Unidentified sailors in Union uniforms, Brady's National Portrait Gallery, c. 1861-64
Sailors in Union uniforms, c. 1861-64
Powder monkey by gun of U.S.S. New Hampshire, 1864-65
Powder monkey by gun of U.S.S. New Hampshire, 1864-65
Sailors on the USS Enterprise demonstrate swordsmanship in 1890
Sailors on the USS Enterprise demonstrate swordsmanship in 1890
Early submarines USS Shark, at left, and USS Porpoise on cradles, with crewmen posing on deck, New York Navy Yard, c. 1905
Early submarines USS Shark, at left, and USS Porpoise, New York Navy Yard, c. 1905
In 1911, Civil War sailor John Henry Sparks, presumed lost, returns to Stamford after 34 years
In 1911, Civil War sailor John Henry Sparks, presumed lost, returns to Stamford after 34 years
Submarine Crew, New London, CT 1919
Crew of the USS Seawolf, New London, CT 1919
U.S. Navy World War 1 Recruiting Poster
U.S. Navy World War 1 Recruiting Poster
Gun Crew of an American Destroyer, 1918
Gun Crew of an American Destroyer, 1918
Navy Lt. Commander Richard Byrd after the first flight over the South Pole 1929
Navy Lt. Commander Richard Byrd after the first flight over the South Pole 1929
Vincent Horan of the U.S. Army Air Corps and William O'Neill were the first and second losses of World War 2 for Stamford
Vincent Horan of the U.S. Army Air Corps and William O'Neill were the first and second losses of World War 2 for Stamford
Destroyer escort USS O'Neill in 1943, named for Stamford's William O'Neill, killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
Destroyer escort USS O'Neill in 1943, named for Stamford's William O'Neill, killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
Everett Hyland receives a Purple Heart for injuries received in the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor
Everett Hyland receives a Purple Heart for injuries received in the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor
Stamford resident Frederick Murphy was killed in a plane crash in 1942 while on duty in Florida
Stamford resident Frederick Murphy was killed in a plane crash in 1942 while on duty in Florida
Stamford resident James Dockery (1st on left, back row) was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism on board the USS Intrepid in WWII
Stamford resident James Dockery (1st on left, back row) was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism on board the USS Intrepid in WWII
In 1994, Stamford veteran James Dockery was awarded the Navy Cross to honor his valor during an attack on the USS Intrepid in 1944
In 1994, Stamford veteran James Dockery was awarded the Navy Cross to honor his valor during an attack on the USS Intrepid in 1944
Two crewmen of the USS Mason, commissioned on March 20, 1944, the first U.S. Navy ship with a predominantly Black crew
Two crewmen of the USS Mason, the first U.S. Navy ship with a predominantly Black crew, 1944
WAVEs mechanics working on plane, Pensacola, Florida, c. 1943-45
WAVEs mechanics working on plane, Pensacola, Florida, c. 1943-45
During World War 2, three former Stamford school mates crossed each others' paths in Australia
During World War 2, three former Stamford school mates crossed each others' paths in Australia
U.S. Navy pilots on USS Lexington aircraft carrier, 1943
U.S. Navy pilots on USS Lexington aircraft carrier, 1943
Stamford Naval Aviator Ensign Edmund Kulka (left) was lost at sea on March 14, 1946
Stamford Naval Aviator Ensign Edmund Kulka (left) was lost at sea on March 14, 1946
In 1950, Stamford resident Seaman Apprentice Robert Henley qualified for the Navy's Ceremonial Honor Guard
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Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the first African-American naval aviator, aboard the USS Leyte during the Korean War
Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the first African-American naval aviator during the Korean War
The first nuclear-powered submarine USS Nautilus, January 21, 1954
The first nuclear-powered submarine USS Nautilus in the Thames River, 1954
Of the 7 original Mercury astronauts, three were Navy pilots
Of the 7 original Mercury astronauts, three were Navy pilots
In 1966, Karel Williams of Stamford was serving in the Navy during the Viet Nam War
In 1966, Karel Williams of Stamford was serving in the Navy during the Viet Nam War
U.S. Navy river patrol in Vietnam, 1969
U.S. Navy river patrol in Vietnam, 1969
U.S. Navy SEALs in training
U.S. Navy SEALs in training
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels acrobatic flying team before a performance
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels acrobatic flying team before a performance
Stamford's Brian Bill, Navy Seal killed in the war on terror in 2011
Stamford's Brian Bill, Navy Seal killed in the war on terror in 2011

Evolution to Today

After the Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States expanded to include Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, and guardianship of Cuba, making the nation a world power. The government realized this required the modernization of its fleet and quickly commissioned submarines, destroyers, airplanes and battleships, all of which were used when the United States entered World War I in 1917.  With the advances in technology and an increased importance of aviation in the early 20th century, the Navy created aircraft carriers and equipped them with radar and weaponry able to repel air attacks.  
Today,with technological advances and the ability to project our interests worldwide, the Navy continues to loyally and bravely defend our nation.

HONORING STAMFORD VETERANS

George Harry Rose, Medal of Honor Recipient

George Harry Rose

George Rose enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a seaman aboard the U.S.S. Newark. During the China Relief Expedition, the ship was stationed in near Beijing to protect Americans who were under threat during the Boxer Rebellion.

USS Newark

Rose distinguished himself in combat on four different occasions in June 1900 when he voluntarily engaged in land operations including transporting ammunition, carrying dispatches, securing medical supplies from an enemy occupied village, and protecting his unit’s baggage train from enemy attack. For his “meritorious conduct,” he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

WANT TO RECOGNIZE A STAMFORD VETERAN?

Contact the Stamford Veterans Park PartnershipThe Stamford Veterans Park Partnership is seeking more information on Stamford veterans. If you have a loved one whose service you’d like to recognize, please contact us by scanning the QR code here.