Publisher's Page

By Jim Barber Publisher

December 1995

This issue features several individuals who helped shape the naval history of this country and the world. Admiral Sampson had acted distant—even sometimes completely removed—from the tasks at hand. Now ...

'That’s What Editors Do': An Interview with Ben Bradlee

December 1995

Ben Bradless talked recently to Naval History Editor Fred L. Schultz about his experiences in destroyers during World War II and the quality of military journalism.

The Trouble With Admiral Sampson

By Martin G. Netsky, M.D., and Captain Edward L. Beach, U.S. Navy (Retired)

December 1995

From what malady was Admiral Sampson suffering in the Spanish- American War, especially during the Battle of Santiago?

“We Got That Sonofabitch!”

By Bert Hubinger

December 1995

Navy aircrews believed they sank the Japanese submarine I-52 in 1944.

David Shoup Rock of Tarawa

By Colonel Joseph H. Alexander, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)

December 1995

The bloody assault on Tarawa changed the face of amphibious warfare. One Marine commander held especially steady in the fray.

A Skate Shoot

Photography and Text By Paul Southwick

December 1995

A World War II Navy photographer brings his photos out of mothballs after 50 years.

Poignant Returns

By David Gaddis

December 1995

In October 1994, thousands converged on the Philippines to observe the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Grace Hayes and Her Joint Chiefs

By Thomas B. Allen

December 1995

For Grace Person Hayes, writing the “outline of American grand strategy" was not enough.

Shogun’s Confidant

By A. D. Baker, III

December 1995

An Englishman’s journey in 1598, in a company of five Dutch ships inspired James Clavell’s Shogun.

Part V—A Matter of Class

By Samuel Loring Morison

December 1995

The last in a five-part series attempting to explain the sometimes inexplicable classification and designation “system” of the U.S. Navy tackles submarines.

Looking Back

By Paul Stillwell

December 1995

Thirty years ago this autumn, one issue of The Saturday Evening Post particularly caught my eye. On the 23 October 1965 cover was a painting that could have graced an ...

In Contact

December 1995

“Naval Academy Memories” (See O. North, J. M. Poindexter, pp. 8-16, September-October 1995 Naval History) Victor Gray As a proud graduate of the Naval Academy (1962), 1 was appalled ...

Book Reviews

Reviewed by Sir James Cable, Jon T. Sumida, Major Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., U.S. Marine Corps, David F. Trask, & Lieutenant Commander Thomas J. CUTLER, U.S. Navy (Retired)

December 1995

Mers El-Kebir (1940): La rupture franco-britannique Herve Coutau-Begarie and Claude Huan. Paris: Economica 1994. $54-00 ($51.30). Reviewed by Sir James Cable In the long history of Anglo-French naval encounters, the ...

The USS Constitution Museum

By Commander Tyrone G. Martin, U, S. Navy (Retired)

December 1995

The USS Constitution Museum in Boston helps history buffs relive the 200- year story of Old Ironsides, America’s undefeated champion.

Naval History News

Edited By Bert Hubinger

December 1995

You’ll Find the Russian Navy in New Jersey A private emigre organization in New Jersey is caretaker for a unique collection of artifacts, books, and archives formerly known as the ...

Salty Talk

By Commander Ty Martin, U.S. Navy (Retired)

December 1995

Uniforms for naval officers—their cut, color, and adornments specified by regulation—began appearing in the 18th century. Ordinary crew members had to wait about another century before they were similarly provided ...

Historic Fleets

By A. D. Baker III, Editor, Combat Fleets of the World

December 1995

In 1942, when the U.S. Navy was desperately short of antisubmarine assets, “Reverse Lend Lease” was arranged with Great Britain to provide 25 “Flower” and “Modified Flower”-class corvettes to help ...