Navy History, Made Every Day!Â
June 15, 1963 - The combat stores ship, USS Mars (AFS 1), is launched. She is the first of a new class of underway replenishment ships that combines the functions of the stores ship (AS), the stores issue ship (AKS), and the aviation supply ship (AVS).
June 16, 1953 - During the Korean War, USS Princeton (CVS 37) launches 184 sorties against enemy front-line positions, a new record for offensive sorties flown from a carrier during the Korean War in a single day.
June 17, 1898 - President William McKinley signs into law a Congressional bill authorizing the establishment of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps.
June 18, 1812 - The United States declares war on Great Britain for impressment of Sailors and interference with commerce.
June 19, 1944 - The largest aircraft carrier action in World War II, the Battle of the Philippine Sea begins as Task Force 58 shoots down hundreds of enemy aircraft in what becomes known as the "Marianas Turkey Shoot.
June 20, 1913 - While piloting the B-2 at 1,600 feet over the water near Annapolis, Md., Ensign William D. Billingsley is thrown from the plane and falls to his death. Billingsley is the first fatality of Naval Aviation.
June 21, 1919 - The German navy scuttles its own fleet at Scapa Flow. After the Nov. 11 Armistice, Allies divide the surrendered German ships. German officers then organize a mass destruction of the fleet that occurs on this day.