Today in U.S. Naval History: October 3
Today in U.S. 1955 - USS Saipan (CVL-48) begins disaster relief at Tampico, Mexico rescuing people and delivering supplies. Operations ends 10 October. 1962 - Launch of Sigma 7 (Mercury 8) piloted by CDR Walter M. Schirra, Jr., USN. In a mission lasting nine hours and 13 minutes, he made six orbits at an altitude up to 175.8 statute miles at 17,558 mph. Recovery by USS Kearsarge (CVS-33). For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
This Day in Naval History
From the Navy News Service. 1943 - The Chief of Naval Operations issued the Bureau of Naval Personnel Circular Letter on non-discrimination in the Navy V-12 program. 1944 - Congress appoints the first three of four fleet admirals. 1965 - Gemini 6 is launched with Capt. Walter M. Schirra Jr. as Command Pilot. The mission included 16 orbits in 25 hours and 51 minutes. Recovery was by HS-11 helicopters from USS Wasp (CVS 18). 1988 - Earnest Will convoy operations to escort reflagged tankers in the Persian Gulf is ceased. For more information about Naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.
This Day in U.S. Naval History – December 15
1943 - Bureau of Naval Personnel Circular Letter on non-discrimination in Navy V-12 program. 1944 - Congress appoints first three of four Fleet Admirals. 1965 - Launch of Gemini 6 with Captain Walter M. Schirra, Jr., USN, as Command Pilot. The mission included 16 orbits in 25 hours and 51 minutes. Recovery was by HS-11 helicopters from USS Wasp (CVS-18) 1988 - End of Earnest Will convoy operations to escort reflagged tankers in the Persian Gulf. (Source: Navy News Service)
This Day in Naval History – Dec. 15
1943 - Bureau of Naval Personnel Circular Letter on non-discrimination in Navy V-12 program. 1944 - Congress appoints first three of four Fleet Admirals. 1965 - Launch of Gemini 6 with Captain Walter M. Schirra, Jr., USN, as Command Pilot. The mission included 16 orbits in 25 hours and 51 minutes. Recovery was by HS-11 helicopters from USS Wasp (CVS-18) 1988 - End of Earnest Will convoy operations to escort reflagged tankers in the Persian Gulf. (Source: Navy News Service)
Navy to Christen USNS Wally Schirra
The Navy will launch and christen dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Wally Schirra, March 8, 2009, during a 7 a.m. PDT ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif. Continuing the Lewis and Clark-class (T-AKE) tradition of honoring legendary pioneers and explorers, the Navy's newest underway replenishment ship recognizes Walter "Wally" Schirra Jr., a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Navy test pilot who served in both World War II and the Korean War. On Oct. 3, 1962, Schirra became the fifth American in space and is honored as one of the original seven Mercury astronauts. He holds the distinction of being the only astronaut to fly in each of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs. Schirra officially retired from the Navy and NASA in 1969.
This Day in Naval History – Dec. 15
1943 - Bureau of Naval Personnel Circular Letter on non-discrimination in Navy V-12 program. 1944 - Congress appoints first three of four Fleet Admirals. 1965 - Launch of Gemini 6 with Captain Walter M. Schirra, Jr., USN, as Command Pilot. The mission included 16 orbits in 25 hours and 51 minutes. Recovery was by HS-11 helicopters from USS Wasp (CVS-18) 1988 - End of Earnest Will convoy operations to escort reflagged tankers in the Persian Gulf. (Source: Navy News Service)
This Day in Naval History - Oct. 03
From the Navy News Service 1921 - USS Olympia sails for to bring home the Unknown Soldier from 1955 - USS Saipan (CVL 48) begins disaster relief in , rescuing people and delivering supplies. Operations end Oct. 10. 1962 - Sigma 7 (Mercury 8), piloted by Navy Cmdr. Walter M. Schirra Jr., is launched. In a mission lasting nine hours and 13 minutes, he made six orbits at an altitude up to 175.8 statute miles at 17,558 mph. USS Kearsarge (CVS 33) makes the recovery.
This Day in Naval History - Dec. 15
From the Navy News Service 1943 - The Chief of Naval Operations issued the Bureau of Naval Personnel Circular Letter on non-discrimination in the Navy V-12 program. 1944 - Congress appoints the first three of four fleet admirals. 1965 - Gemini 6 is launched with Capt. Walter M. Schirra Jr. as Command Pilot. The mission included 16 orbits in 25 hours and 51 minutes. Recovery was by HS-11 helicopters from USS Wasp (CVS 18). 1988 - Earnest Will convoy operations to escort reflagged tankers in the Persian Gulf is ceased.
This Day in Navy History
October 3, 1921 - USS Olympia sails for France to bring home the Unknown Soldier from World War I 1955 - USS Saipan (CVL-48) begins disaster relief at Tampico, Mexico rescuing people and delivering supplies. Operations ends 10 October. 1962 - Launch of Sigma 7 (Mercury 8) piloted by CDR Walter M. Schirra, Jr., USN. In a mission lasting 9 hours and 13 minutes, he made 6 orbits at an altitude up to 175.8 statute miles at 17,558 mph. Recovery by USS Kearsarge (CVS-33). [Source: www.history.navy.mil]
