Naval History and Heritage Command

In this section, Director Sam Cox shares the stories behind historic photos, combat art, artifacts, and archival documents. In November 2016, Director Cox initiated a series of "H-grams." Inspired by Admiral Zumwalt’s series of Z-grams used to communicate with Sailors throughout the Navy, H-grams are an avenue by which NHHC provides significant historical context to aid today’s decision-makers. H-grams and associated attachments reflect Director Cox’s personal assessment, aided by NHHC historians, of significant events in U.S. Navy history. Each H-gram consists of a note from Director Cox with featured imagery, artifacts, or archival documents providing further context. In addition to the H-grams reproduced here, you’ll find links to Director Cox’s regular contributions to The Sextant, NHHC’s blog. The content below explores a variety of topics but consistently emphasizes the importance of honoring the service of Sailors throughout history and understanding the relevance of the past to today’s Navy.

Director Cox’s H-Gram 020 covers some oft-forgotten naval battles and campaigns, including the shoot-down of Iran Air Flight 655 by the Aegis cruiser USS Vincennes (CG-49) in July 1988 during the “Tanker War"; the battles of Kula Gulf, Kolombangara, Vella Gulf, and the loss of PT-109 during the Central Solomon Islands campaign; the engagement between the U.S. submarine AL-2 (SS-41) and the German U-boat UB-65 during World War I; the 1898 "suicide" mission of USS Merrimac; and the U.S. victory at the Battle of Santiago during the Spanish-American War.

Click the links below to access previously issued H-grams and earlier blogs from Director Cox. For biographical information and text of speeches given by Director Cox, please see his biography page.

• H-Grams
• Blogs