Naval History and Heritage Command

The first U.S. Navy ironclad warship, Monitor, is launched. Commissioned a month later, she soon engages in battle against CSS Virginia, the first battle between ironclad warships.

While Landsman Richard Stout is a member of the crew of USS Isaac Smith, which is operating on the Stono River, S.C., Confederate forces ambush and capture the ship. For his brave conduct during this action, in which he is badly wounded, Landsman Stout is awarded the Medal of Honor.

U.S. Navy ships, including battleship North Carolina, and aircraft, sink nine Japanese vessels.

PB2Y aircraft (VP 13 and VP 102) from Midway Island carry out nocturnal bombing raids on Wake Island to neutralize Japanese airfield installations. The strike marks the first time Coronados are used as bombers.

The guided-missile destroyer USS John King (DDG-3) is launched at Bath, Maine.