Naval History and Heritage Command

The Continental Congress votes for two vessels to be fitted out and armed with 10 carriage guns, a proportional number of swivel guns, and crews of 80 then sent out on a cruise of three months to intercept transports carrying munitions and stores to the British army in America. This legislation, out of which the Continental Navy grew, constitutes the birth of the U.S. Navy.

The Union yacht America seizes schooner David Crockett attempting to run the blockade out of Charleston with a cargo of turpentine and rosin.

Union bark Braziliera and screw-steamer Mary Sanford, both with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, send out a boat expedition that frees a number of slaves from a plantation on White Oak Creek, Ga.

The Bureau of Aeronautics directed the painting of all fleet aircraft non-specular light gray, except for surfaces seen from above, which were to be blue gray. Beginning in late December, this color scheme extended to shore-based airplanes, except trainers.

TBF (VC 9) aircraft of escort carrier USS Card (CVE-11) sink the German submarine U-402, which had previously sunk 15 Allied vessels, including USS Cythera (PY-26).