Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Today in Naval History
February 17
Javascript required!
Please enable javascript
in your browser to use
this feature.

1942 - The first Construction Battalion (Seabees) arrives in the Pacific during World War II at Bora Bora, Society Islands.
On This Day

1864

While at anchor off Charleston, S.C., the Steam Sloop of War USS Housatonic is attacked by the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley using a spar torpedo. USS Housatonic is recorded as the first warship to be sunk by a submarine.

1942

The first Construction Battalion (Seabees) arrives in the Pacific during World War II at Bora Bora, Society Islands.

1944

USS Nicholas (DD 449) sinks the Japanese submarine I-11 in the Marshall Islands.

1944

During Operation Hailstone, aircraft from the nine aircraft carriers of Task Force 58 attack the Japanese fleet at Truk. During the 2-day strike, 33 Japanese vessels are destroyed and nine more damaged.

1945

While wounded and gravely weakened, Medal of Honor Recipient Lt Rufus G. Herring takes the helm of the Landing Craft Infantry Gunboat (LCI(G)-449), which was heavily hit by Japanese counter-fire, rallies his men, and keeps the ship in action protecting UDT swimmers.