US Navy Birthday

The United States Navy was created on October 13, 1775 during the American Revolution, and today the Navy celebrates its 236th birthday. In order to celebrate this wonderful occasion the Vietnam Archive would like to present a few Navy items from our collections.

Please enjoy the materials and help us to congratulate all of the Navy personnel past and present on their big day.

Photographs

Oral Histories

OH0277 - Brad Senter

(USN) Brad Senter served with the United States Navy in Southeast Asia in 1964, and from 1966 to 1967. He served as a Mechinists Mate onboard the USS Independence in the Gulf of Tonkin from August until December 1964. He later served with Navy Security in Da Nang form December 1966 until December 1967. Interview conducted by Stephen Maxner.

OH0305 - Charles Lloyd

(USN) Charles Lloyd, originally from Atlantic City, New Jersey served in the U.S. Navy from July 1963 until September 1967. Charles went to South Vietnam in September 1965 with Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) 101 based at Phu Quoc Island. He patrolled around the island and the far southwestern coastal area of the country. Charles was evacuated in April 1966 after being wounded in a mine attack.

OH0372 - Ken Craig

(USN) Kenneth G. Craig, originally from Seattle, Washington, served in the U.S. Navy from 1961 until 1991 and retired a Captain. Ken graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1961. Upon graduation he served on the USS Richard B. Anderson (DD-786) as an Anti-Submarine Officer until 1963 when he went to pilot training in Pensacola, FL. In 1965 after completing all of his flight training at various bases, Ken was sent to VA-81, an A-4E Skyhawk squadron, and went on a Mediterranean cruise assignment on board the USS Forrestal (CVA-59). In 1966, he was assigned to VA-72, and sailed to Dixie Station off the coast of South Vietnam (RVN) aboard the USS Roosevelt (CVN-71). During this eight month cruise, Ken flew over 50 combat sorties over the RVN in close air support for ground troops and over North Vietnam attacking SAM sites and various other targets. In 1967 he went on a nine month cruise in the Mediterranean where he participated in training operations with other NATO countries. Between 1968 and 1970, Ken was an A-6A Intruder instructor with VA-42 in Virginia Beach, VA. In 1970 he was transferred to VA-115 at Whidbey Island, WA, where he was Weapons Training Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Operations Officer. VA-115 went on two cruises aboard the USS Midway to the RVN, the first in 1971 (nine months) and the second in 1972 (eleven months). Ken flew most of his missions over Laos and the RVN during the first cruise and over the DRV on the second cruise. All told, he flew over 300 combat missions in the Vietnam War theater. He earned 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 22 Air Medals, 5 individual Air Medals, and 6 U.S. Navy Commendation Medals with V device for Valor. After the war ended, Ken served in a variety of positions in different places, to include CO of VA-95 in Whidbey Island, WA, from 1976 to 1979 as well as Deputy SACLANTREPEUR NATO between 1983 and 1987 in Brussels, Belgium.

Moving Images

346VI0397 - Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. Collection

Promotional film showing many of the preparations necessary to host a Navy Ball, along with footage of ball attendees.

Artifacts