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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Today in Naval History
December 2
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1965 - USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) and USS Bainbridge (DLGN 25) become the first nuclear-powered task unit used in combat operations.
On This Day

1891

New York (CA 2) launches. In 1911, it is renamed Saratoga and renamed again in 1917 to Rochester. Rochester serves as the flagship of the Asiatic Fleet from 1932-33 and is decommissioned in 1933.

1908

Rear Adm. William S. Cowles submits the report prepared by Lt. George C. Sweet recommending to the Secretary of the Navy the purchase of aircraft suitable for operating from naval ships on scouting and observation missions.

 

1944

USS Sea Devil (SS 400) attacks a Japanese convoy in the East China Sea and sinks merchant tanker Akigawa Maru and passenger-cargo ship Hawaii Maru, while USS Gunnel (SS 253) evacuates 11 rescued aviators from Palawan, Philippines and turns over all available stores to Filipino forces ashore.

1944

In order to halt resupply and reinforcement of troops on Leyte, Destroyer Division 120 leaves to attack a Japanese convoy escorted by destroyers Take and Kuwa. After midnight during the Battle of Ormoc Bay, USS Allen M. Sumner (DD 692) and USS Cooper (DD 695) sink Kuwa, but USS Cooper sinks from a torpedo.

1965

USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) and USS Bainbridge (DLGN 25) become the first nuclear-powered task unit used in combat operations with launch of air strikes near Bien Hoa, Vietnam.