International Journal of Naval History

A Guide to the Naval History of the United States

from the

U.S. Naval Historical Center

            Ever wonder what government office has your destroyer’s cruise book from the 1968 deployment to Vietnam, how to conduct research on the design of World War II fighter planes, where to visit a museum displaying a stunning array of Navy guns, uniforms, swords, and ship models, how to view art depicting the dramatic atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll or what major historical programs are supported by the Navy? There is now a fast, easy way to find out.

The Naval Historical Center has posted on its Web site (www.history.navy.mil) a Guide to Naval History Organizations, Programs, and Resources, compiled by Senior Historian Dr. Edward J. Marolda.

            The Guide is meant to serve as a starting point for anyone interested in the history and heritage of the United States Navy. The compilation provides detailed information on the composition, mission and functions, and the major artifact and documentary holdings of those government institutions dedicated to preserving the Navy’s proud past. Users of the Guide can gain a better understanding of the Naval Historical Center, Marine Corps Historical Center, and other Navy Department historical offices. Also presented is relevant information on the USS Constitution located in Boston Harbor and the twelve official Navy museums, including the United States Navy Museum in Washington, D.C., National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida, and the Naval Undersea Museum in Bremerton, Washington. In addition, the Guide identifies and describes those governmental and non-governmental organizations that promote and support naval historical programs, including the Navy Cultural Resources Program, Naval Historical Foundation, Historic Naval Ships Association, and U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation. Finally, the work identifies institutions that maintain sizable collections of naval historical materials, including the National Archives, Library of Congress, and Naval War College.

            The hours of operation, telephone and fax numbers, Web site and e-mail addresses, and other pertinent information accompany short narrative descriptions of Navy Department and related historical institutions nationwide.