U.S. Naval Institute

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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
An independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of seapower.
Annapolis, MDusni.orgJoined December 2008
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U.S. Naval Institute’s posts

U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
Since "Chinese Spy Balloon" is trending: In 1945, the crew of USS New York spotted a sphere that they thought might be a Japanese balloon weapon. The captain ordered it shot down but none of the guns could score a hit. Finally, a navigator realized they were attacking Venus.
The image depicts the USS New York, a battleship from World War II, sailing on calm waters. The ship is shown in profile, highlighting its formidable structure and armament. The context provided by the post text reveals that in 1945, the crew of this ship mistook the planet Venus for a Japanese balloon weapon, leading to an amusing attempt to shoot it down. This historical anecdote adds a layer of humor and human error to the otherwise imposing image of the battleship. The clear sky and serene sea contrast with the military might of the vessel, emphasizing the peaceful setting of the photograph.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
#RIP actor Val Kilmer who passed away today at the age of 65. In addition to his appearances in BATMAN FOREVER and TOMBSTONE, Kilmer perhaps was best known for his role as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky in TOP GUN. His final film was TOP GUN: MAVERICK in 2022.
The image depicts a scene from the movie 'Top Gun', featuring actor Val Kilmer in his role as Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky. Val Kilmer, who passed away at the age of 65, is best known for this role, as well as his appearances in 'Batman Forever' and 'Tombstone'. The scene shows Iceman in his flight suit, engaging in a moment of camaraderie with another character, likely from the iconic volleyball scene or a similar setting on an aircraft carrier. The image captures the essence of the film's military aviation theme, highlighting the camaraderie and competitive spirit among the pilots. The post serves as a tribute to Kilmer's legacy in cinema, particularly his memorable performance in 'Top Gun' and its sequel 'Top Gun: Maverick'.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
During the Solomon Islands campaign, a Marine on night sentry duty heard someone approaching in the jungle and fired a few bursts from his machine gun. A voice called out: "Hold up your fire! We are Americans. I am bringing in my platoon." The Marine responded by blasting away
The image depicts a Marine during the Solomon Islands campaign, sitting in a foxhole with a rifle in hand. The setting is a jungle environment, with dense foliage in the background. The Marine is dressed in military gear, including a helmet and combat boots, and appears to be on guard duty. The context from the post text suggests this Marine was involved in a night sentry duty incident where he identified and engaged a Japanese patrol based on their overly formal speech, which he deemed uncharacteristic of Marines. The image captures the essence of vigilance and the harsh realities of combat during World War II.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
#OTD in 1999, Oliver Reed died while filming GLADIATOR. Reed had consumed 8 pints of beer, 12 shots of rum, half a bottle of whisky, and shots of cognac after challenging sailors from HMS Cumberland to a drinking contest in a pub. He was armwrestling sailors when he collapsed.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
#RIP James Earl Jones who passed away today at the age of 93. Jones was an Army veteran who used the GI Bill to study acting before launching a career that included providing the voice for Darth Vader and portraying Admiral James Greer in THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
#RIP John Kinsel Sr. who passed away on Saturday at the age of 107. Kinsel was one of the last of the USMC's Navajo Code Talkers who used the Diné language to develop an unbreakable code. He enlisted in 1942 and served with the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
#RIP former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who died early Friday after being shot while delivering a speech. Abe was the first Japanese PM to set foot on an American warship when he visited USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during the JMSDF Fleet Review in 2015.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
#RIP Jimmy Carter who passed away today at the age of 100. Carter is the only President of the United States to have graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. The Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) is named in his honor.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
Happy 100th Birthday to submariner LT James Earl Carter, USN (Ret). Carter is the only President of the United States to have graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. The Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) is named in his honor.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
#RIP John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway who passed away on Monday at at the age of 105. Hemingway was the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot. Born in Dublin in 1919, Hemingway joined the RAF in 1938. He flew Hawker Hurricanes during WWII and survived being shot down four times.
The post from U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) pays tribute to John 'Paddy' Hemingway, the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, who passed away at the age of 105. The first image shows a historical photograph of Hemingway in his RAF uniform, wearing a life vest, which signifies his role as a pilot during WWII. The second image depicts an elderly man, presumably Hemingway, saluting in front of a vintage RAF fighter plane, likely a Spitfire, symbolizing his enduring legacy and service. The setting appears to be an airfield, with the plane and the sky providing a backdrop that honors his aviation career. The post text provides context about Hemingway's life, mentioning his birth in Dublin in 1919, joining the RAF in 1938, and his remarkable survival after being shot down four times while flying Hawker Hurricanes.
The post from U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) pays tribute to John 'Paddy' Hemingway, the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, who passed away at the age of 105. The first image shows a historical photograph of Hemingway in his RAF uniform, wearing a life vest, which signifies his role as a pilot during WWII. The second image depicts an elderly man, presumably Hemingway, saluting in front of a vintage RAF fighter plane, likely a Spitfire, symbolizing his enduring legacy and service. The setting appears to be an airfield, with the plane and the sky providing a backdrop that honors his aviation career. The post text provides context about Hemingway's life, mentioning his birth in Dublin in 1919, joining the RAF in 1938, and his remarkable survival after being shot down four times while flying Hawker Hurricanes.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
#OTD in 2019, crew members from U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro chased down and boarded a narco-submarine in the Eastern Pacific, seizing 17,000 pounds of cocaine with an estimated value of $232 million.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
Happy 99th Birthday to former THE PRICE IS RIGHT host Bob Barker. Barker served as a naval aviator during WWII, flying 8 different aircraft including the Wildcat and Corsair. Of the entertainers who are WWII veterans, few are left.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
When USS Milwaukee was returned to the U.S. Navy in 1949 after being loaned to the Soviet Union for 5 years, one official said it was the dirtiest ship he had ever seen. The rusty ship smelled of stale fish and was full of rats, lice, and empty vodka bottles. #WarshipWednesday
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
After THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER premiered in 1990, people wondered what the Soviets thought about the movie. When three Soviet ships made a historic visit to San Diego, their top public affairs officer wore a baseball cap embroidered with the film's logo. Apparently he was a fan.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
#OTD 1970, the Oregon Highway Division consulted with the US Navy and decided the best way to dispose of a whale carcass was to blow it up with a 1/2 ton of dynamite. The explosion caused blubber to rain down on spectators for over a 1/4 of a mile. A large chunk demolished a car.
U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
#OTD in 1970, the Oregon Highway Division consulted with the U.S. Navy and decided the best way to dispose of a whale carcass was to blow it up with a 1/2 ton of dynamite. The explosion caused blubber to rain down on spectators for over a 1/4 of a mile. The TV segment is classic.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
#OTD in 1986, a Marine mechanic stole an A-4M Skyhawk for a 45 minute joyride during which time he performed several aerobatic maneuvers. He had wanted to be a fighter pilot but an injury prevented him from qualifying. His stunt cost him four months in the brig.
The first image shows a U.S. Marine Corps A-4M Skyhawk aircraft in flight, identifiable by the "U.S. Marine" markings and the star insignia on the tail. The second image is a black-and-white photograph of a man wearing sunglasses and a shirt with an emblem, likely related to the Marine Corps or aviation. The context provided indicates that this post commemorates an event on this day in 1986 when a Marine mechanic stole an A-4M Skyhawk for a 45-minute joyride, performing aerobatic maneuvers. The mechanic had aspirations to be a fighter pilot but was prevented by an injury, leading to his stunt which resulted in four months in the brig.
The first image shows a U.S. Marine Corps A-4M Skyhawk aircraft in flight, identifiable by the "U.S. Marine" markings and the star insignia on the tail. The second image is a black-and-white photograph of a man wearing sunglasses and a shirt with an emblem, likely related to the Marine Corps or aviation. The context provided indicates that this post commemorates an event on this day in 1986 when a Marine mechanic stole an A-4M Skyhawk for a 45-minute joyride, performing aerobatic maneuvers. The mechanic had aspirations to be a fighter pilot but was prevented by an injury, leading to his stunt which resulted in four months in the brig.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
By the end of WWII, U.S. industrial might and the need to fight on two fronts resulted in the U.S. Navy having a greater tonnage of combatant ships than all other navies combined. In 1947, the U.S. had 3,820,000 tons versus the world's combined 2,860,000 tons. #NationalTriviaDay
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
The Austrian-based company Migaloo is offering a 541-foot-long "private submersible superyacht” for a base price of $2 billion. The M5 has a range of 9,300 miles and can take its passengers to a depth of 820 feet. The luxury submarine includes a helipad, two swimming pools, a
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
Happy 93rd Birthday to James Earl Jones. Jones is an Army veteran who used the GI Bill to study acting before launching a career that has included providing the voice for Darth Vader and portraying Admiral James Greer in THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER.
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U.S. Naval Institute
@NavalInstitute
The Lviv Museum of Science in Ukraine released video of a new exhibit that allows visitors to sink a model of the Russian warship Moskva. The real Moskva sank in the Black Sea in April, 2022 after a fire. Russia denies Ukrainian claims that Moskva was hit with anti-ship missiles.
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