Archived Plan of the Day Notes
Plan of the Day Notes (PODs) make it easy for executive officers to share pivotal Navy milestones with their deckplates. Incorporating NHHC’s POD into morning quarters ensures Sailors are well informed about the most important dates in their Navy’s history. Thirty POD notes are below to provide the fleet with a new historical date for the month leading up to Navy’s birthday.
September 23, 2014
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On September 23, 2014, USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) launch 47 Tomahawk strikes against ISIL targets. With action from partner nations, the strikes hit ISIL fighters, training compounds, headquarters, storage facilities, a finance center, supply trucks and armed vehicles. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
May 1, 2011
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On May 1, 2011, in an intelligence-driven U.S. operation in Pakistan, Navy SEALs kill al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. In a televised address, President Barack Obama says, “A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability.” For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
January 12, 2010
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes Haiti. The U.S. Navy is a key contributor to Operation Unified Response, which delivers more than 2.6 million bottles of water, 2.2 million food rations, 17 million pounds of food and 149,000 pounds of medical supplies. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
February 20, 2008
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On February 20, 2008, USS Lake Erie (CG-70), fires a Standard Missile-3 destroying a dangerous, non-functioning satellite just before it enters earth's atmosphere. The intercept occurs about 153 miles over the Pacific as the satellite travels at more than 17,000 mph. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
October 7, 2001
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On October 7, 2001, after the September 11 al Qaeda terrorist attacks, Operation Enduring Freedom begins with Tomahawk and carrier air strikes on targets in Afghanistan. Later at sea, Navy amphibious forces establish a 750 mile supply line through Pakistan to Marines in Afghanistan. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
January 16, 1991
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On January 16, 1991, Operation Desert Storm begins. Maritime superiority and unchallenged control of the sea enable naval forces to provide protection for land-based forces and the safe and timely delivery of war materiel. After nearly three months of combat, Iraq surrenders on March 3. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
April 18, 1988
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On April 18, 1988, in Operation Praying Mantis, Navy ships and Navy and Marine aircraft strike Iranian oil platforms, sink the Iranian frigate Sahand and smaller boats, and damage the frigate Sabalan in retaliation for the mining of USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) four days earlier. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
December 17, 1970
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On December 17, 1970, in Z-Gram 66, CNO Admiral Elmo Zumwalt directs immediate action to combat “significant discrimination in the Navy.” He ends the Z-gram saying, “There is no black Navy, no white Navy—just one Navy—the United States Navy.” Z-Gram 66 results in many minority firsts. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
July 29, 1967
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On July 29, 1967, onboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59), a Zuni rocket fires from an F-4B Phantom into an A-4E Skyhawk, sets off a series of explosions and fires that kill 134 and injure 161 crewmembers. Today, Sailors are still taught the damage control and firefighting lessons learned that day. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
March 11, 1965
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On March 11, 1965, During the Vietnam War, Task Force 115 stands up. A coastal surveillance force, it conducts operations under the code name Market Time using 3.5 foot draft “Swift Boats” capable of 28 knots. Their objective is to interdict enemy resupply efforts. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
October 22, 1962
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On October 22, 1962, President Kennedy announces a quarantine of Cuba in response to the Soviet deployment of medium and intermediate range ballistic missiles there. A ready Navy enables Kennedy to protect national interests in one of the most serious confrontations of the Cold War. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
December 30, 1959
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On December 30, 1959, the first ballistic missile submarine USS George Washington (SSBN-598) is commissioned. Within a year, the boat goes on the Navy’s 1st strategic deterrent patrol armed with Polaris missiles. Since then, submariners have completed more than 4,000 such patrols. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
September 30, 1954
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On September 30, 1954, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus (SSN-571), is commissioned at Groton, Conn. On August 3, 1958, Nautilus is the first sub to pass under the North Pole. The boat serves for more than 25 years and is now a museum ship in Groton. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
September 15, 1950
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On September 15, 1950 naval forces under Adm. C. Turner Joy deploy troops ashore in the Korean War’s Inchon landing, fracturing the North Korean war machine. General MacArthur later signals, "The Navy and Marines have never shone more brightly than this morning." For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
October 23–26, 1944
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On October 23, 1944, the largest naval battle in modern history, the three-day Battle of Leyte Gulf begins. It ends Japan’s capacity to fight as an organized force, is the last sea battle between battleships, sees the last “crossing the T” maneuver, and the first Kamikaze attacks. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
June 6, 1944
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On June 6, 1944 (D-Day), 6,000 ships of Operation Neptune deliver an invasion force of more than 150,000 troops to the beaches of Normandy, launching Operation Overlord. The Normandy invasion proves a psychological and physical blow to the Nazis from which they never recover. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
June 4–7, 1942
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On June 4–7, 1942 the Battle of Midway is fought for a U.S. base on a mid-Pacific atoll. Prior to the battle, Japan had general naval superiority. The loss of four Japanese carriers in the battle turns the tables, enabling the U.S. to go on the offensive on course to victory in the war. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
April 18, 1942
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On April 18, 1942, in the first WWII attack on the Japanese mainland, the Doolittle Raid launches 16 Army Air Force B-25s from USS Hornet (CV-8) underway 650 miles off Japan. Of the mission’s 80 crewmen, three are lost on the mission and only four of eight taken prisoner survive. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
December 7, 1941
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On December 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy,” the Japanese attack the U.S. Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor, and nearby military airfields and installations. American shock and anger unites a divided nation and translates into a wholehearted commitment to victory in WWII. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
March 20, 1922
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On March 20, 1922, the fuel ship USS Jupiter is recommissioned as USS Langley (CV-1), the Navy’s first aircraft carrier. In WWII, on January 27, 1942, while carrying U.S. Army P-40s to the East Indies, Langley is attacked by Japanese aircraft. Severely damaged, she is later scuttled. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
March 1917
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
In March 1917, as the U.S. nears entry into the World War, the Navy's need for clerical assistance is immense. Shore stations, overwhelmed by preparations for war, ask for assistance. SECNAV Josephus Daniels responds by opening the door to service for women as yeomen. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
December 16, 1907
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On December 16, 1907, the Great White Fleet departs Hampton Roads, Va. to circumnavigate the world returning February 22, 1909. The voyage is a grand pageant of American sea power manned by 14,000 Sailors that covered 43,000 miles and made 20 port calls on six continents. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
May 1, 1898
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On May 1, 1898, the Spanish-American War Battle of Manila Bay not only gives birth to the historical expression "You may fire when ready, Gridley," but also in about six hours, liquidates the Spanish Fleet and installations in the harbor without the loss of a single American life. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
March 8, 1862
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On March 9, 1862, during the Civil War, in the first battle between ironclads, Monitor and CSS Virginia batter each other at close range for more than four hours in Hampton Roads, Va. Though neither ship sustains much damage, Virginia eventually withdraws. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
October 29, 1814
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On October 29, 1814, the first steam-powered Navy warship, Fulton, a frigate, launches at New York City and is later commissioned in June 1816. Largely unemployed, she later serves as a receiving ship until June 4, 1829 when her magazine explodes, killing 30 and destroying the ship. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
September 11, 1814
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On September 11, 1814, in the War of 1812, the U.S. victory at the Battle of Lake Champlain (aka the Battle of Plattsburgh) ends the war’s final British invasion, depriving them of supplies and leverage to later demand control over the Great Lakes and territorial gains in New England. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
February 16, 1804
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On February 16, 1804, Lt. Stephen Decatur, with volunteers from Constitution and Enterprise, enters Tripoli harbor in Intrepid and burns the captured frigate Philadelphia without American losses. England's Lord Nelson calls the mission "the most daring act of the age." For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
October 21, 1797
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
October 21, 1797, USS Constitution, one of six frigates authorized by an act of Congress, is launched and christened at Edmund Hartt’s Shipyard in Boston, Mass. Still in service today, Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
September 7, 1776
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On September 7, 1775, Turtle, the first combat submarine, is used by Sgt. Ezra Lee to attack HMS Eagle in New York Harbor. Copper-sheathing, marine growth, or perhaps a hard spot in the hull keep Lee from drilling into the ship’s bottom to attach a torpedo which then drifts away. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
October 13, 1775
TOUGH, BOLD, AND READY—A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA’S NAVY
On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorizes two vessels “fitted out” with 10 carriage guns, a number of swivel guns, and crews of 80 to intercept ships carrying munitions and stores to the British army in America. This legislation constitutes the birth of the U.S. Navy. For more on the Navy’s birthday, visit history.navy.mil.
