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 021 covers Operation Avalanche, the Allied invasion of Italy in September 1943 (with an absorbing sidebar on the first deployment of German precision-guided bombs); and, in the context of the 100th anniversary commemoration of World War I, the story behind the first naval aviation Medal of Honor; employment of U.S. Navy railway artillery batteries in France; a short biography of David Ingalls, the first U.S. Navy flying ace; and synopses of the heaviest U.S. naval loss of the war and of the only U.S. Navy surface engagement of the conflict.

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