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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Today in Naval History
July 2
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1926 - The Distinguished Flying Cross is authorized by Congress. The first Naval Aviator to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross is Lt. Cmdr. Richard E. Byrd.
On This Day

1926

The Distinguished Flying Cross is authorized by Congress. The first Naval Aviator to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross is Richard E. Byrd for his flight to the North Pole on May 9, 1926.

1923

The Naval Experimental and Research Laboratory (shortened to Naval Research Laboratory, c. 1926) was formally commissioned by Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. 

1937

Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappear over the Pacific. US Coast Guard cutter Itasca, USS Colorado (BB 45) and USS Lexington (CV 2) and PBY aircraft from Hawaii are dispatched, but the extensive search is unsuccessful.

1944

TBM aircraft from (VC 58) based on board USS Wake Island (CVE 65) sink German submarine U 543, southeast of the Azores.

1944

PB4Ys (FAW 1) sink Japanese sailing vessel Nishima Maru off Mokpo, Korea, and cargo ship No.12 Shima Maru.

1945

USS Barb (SS 220) bombards Japanese installations on Kaihyo Island, Japan in the first successful use of rockets against shore positions.