US Naval History Podcast

Ok, so it's not American Naval History, but this episode is too interesting not to post. With Professor Bret Devereaux I discuss the essentially non-Mahanian nature of ancient naval warfare. Because galleys were both cheap to build (but expensive to maintain) and had very limited operational endurance, the missions they could perform and the strategic use of galley navies was extremely different than Age of Sail and modern navies...

Using a 36-foot motor launch, the 18 sailors, led by Lieutenant Commander John Morrill began their 2,000-mile journey through Japanese infested waters. With only a watch, compass, homemade sextant and a few maps it was an incredible feat of navigation. Their story is one of great audacity, where the generosity and bravery of the Filipino people, along with sheer luck played an integral role in the outcome of events.

Email me at: ⁠usnavalhistorypodcast@gmail...

Right after the Barbary Wars finished up, a new threat to American commerce emerged, this time around the world in Southeast Asia. This is the story of the expedition that was sent more than 12,000 miles across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans to conduct America's first military expedition in Asia to avenge the capture of the Friendship and slaughter of her crew.

Email me at: ⁠usnavalhistorypodcast@gmail...

In this episode of the U.S. Naval History Podcast, we tell the story of the sinking of the USS Memphis (/Tennessee!), recounting the tragic events leading to the ship's demise as it was dashed against the rocks of the Dominican Republic by rogue waves. Heroic acts by the crew saved most aboard, and this episode highlights the three sailors who earned Medals of Honor for their actions that day.

Released on the anniversary of her wrecking...

For a brief, glorious moment, the US Navy in 1865 was the biggest and most advanced in the world. It was an inflection moment in the history of naval shipbuilding. Sails were out, steam power, armor, and modern gunnery was in...

Join us on the U.S. Naval History Podcast as we explore the lesser-known prelude to World War Two in the North Atlantic. The not-so-neutral "neutrality patrols" in the North Atlantic were the United States Navy's prelude to WWII. They resulted in an escalating but undeclared shooting war with the German Kriegsmarine before the attack on Pearl Harbor. We talk about the strategic decisions, political implications, and how President Roosevelt and senior U.S...

In this episode I answer a few questions that someone sent me via email on the concept of "unsinkable aircraft carriers" in the context of both WWII and China's artificial islands in the South China Sea. I elaborate on the parallels with WWII, explore how Japan's strategy of using islands as unsinkable carriers ultimately failed due to logistical challenges and limited plane production, and how that will differ from a US-China war...

On 29 July 1967, the USS Forrestal experienced a severe fire while operating on Yankee Station off the coast of North Vietnam that killed 134 Sailors, injured 161 more, and destroyed 21 aircraft. This was (and remains) the second worst loss of life on a U.S. Navy ship since World War II. The disaster resulted in a very long list of lessons learned -many of which can be better classified as “lessons forgotten” from carrier fires during World War II...

In this episode I answer a few questions that someone sent me via email on the concept of "unsinkable aircraft carriers" in the context of both WWII and China's artificial islands in the South China Sea. I elaborate on the parallels with WWII, explore how Japan's strategy of using islands as unsinkable carriers ultimately failed due to logistical challenges and limited plane production, and how that will differ from a US-China war...

RADM Mike Studeman, the the Commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence and the Director of the National Maritime Intelligence Integration Office talks about China’s grand plan for the South China Sea, Xi Jinping and the psychology of authoritarian states, how the Chinese military may have been the tail wagging the dog in China’s recent border skirmishes with India, who would/would not side with the United States in a fight over Taiwan, the consequences for China if they do invade Taiwan,...