Naval History and Heritage Command

The frigate United States, commanded by Capt. Stephen Decatur, captures the British frigate Macedonian, commanded by John S. Carden, west of the Canary Islands. During battle, United States broadsides the British frigate and destroys her mizzen top mast, which let her driver gaff fall. This advantage allows United States to riddle the enemy methodically with shot. After surrender, Macedonian is eventually repaired and entered into U.S. naval service.

Congress, commanded by Capt. John Smith, captures and burns the British merchant ship Rose in the Atlantic off the coast of Brazil.

U.S. and Australian warships maul the advancing enemy with torpedoes and heavy guns during the Battle of Surigao Strait in the midst of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The Japanese lose battleships Fuso and Yamashiro, plus three destroyers. The Battle of Surigao Strait marks the end of an era in naval warfare -- it was the last engagement of a battle line.
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During the Battle off Samar in the midst of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, four Japanese battleships, eight cruisers and 11 destroyers surprise U.S. Navy Task Unit 77.4.3 consisting of six escort carriers, three destroyers, and four destroyer escorts. Despite their great inferiority in numbers, speed and fire power, U.S. airmen and surface sailors fight heroically to defend their carriers. 

During the Battle off Cape Engaño, 3rd Fleet carrier aircraft, surface ships and submarines strike the Japanese Northern Force off northeastern Luzon. The Japanese lose aircraft carriers Zuikaku, Zuiho, Chitose and Chiyoda, as well as a light cruiser and two destroyers.

A Zuni 5-inch rocket ignites during a routine test in the forward assembly area aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) burning nine sailors, three critically. All nine casualties were flown for treatment to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

Amphibious assault ship Okinawa (LPH 3), dock landing ship Anchorage (LSD 36), amphibious transport dock Duluth (LPD 6), and Sailors and marines from shore establishments complete four days of assistance to thousands of people following Typhoon Joan, which left 600 people dead and 80,000 without shelter across southern Luzon and Catanduanes Island, Philippines.  

Former Navy lieutenant, Edward Hidalgo becomes the 64^th Secretary of the Navy and first Hispanic male to hold the position

 Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada, West Indies) begins. By Nov. 2, all military objectives are secured. The next day, hostilities are declared to be at an end. Grenadians put their country back in order--schools and businesses reopen for the first time in at least two weeks.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is commissioned at Newport News, Va.

Pilot Lt. Kara S. Hultgreen and radar intercept officer Lt. Matthew P. Klemish of VF-213 crash an F-14A Tomcat, BuNo 160390, while attempting to land aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) off San Diego. Hultgreen becomes the first naval female combat pilot to die in an aircraft accident. Klemish ejects and survives with minor injuries.

Virginia class submarine USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) is commissioned at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine.

Virginia class submarine USS North Dakota (SSN 784) is commissioned at Groton, Conn.