This Day in U.S. Navy History: December 30, 2015

1920 -

USS John D. Ford (DD 228) is commissioned. It serves in both the Atlantic and the Pacific during World War II and receives a Presidential Unit Citation, specifically honoring her "extraordinary heroism in action" during the Java Campaign, Jan. 23 - March 2, 1942 and four battle stars.

1943 -

USS Bluefish (SS 222) sinks Japanese oiler Ichiyu Maru in the Java Sea.

1944 -

USS Block Island (CVE 106) is commissioned, serving until decommissioned in 1954. Struck from the Navy list in 1959, ex-Block Island is sold to Kowa Koeki Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Naka, of Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo and scrapped a year later.

1944 -

USS Razorback (SS 394) attacks a Japanese convoy going from Manila to Takao, about 60 miles southeast of Formosa, and sinks the destroyer Kuretake in the Bashi Channel. The Japanese cargo ships Brazil Maru and Oi Maru are also damaged during this attack. 

1959 -

The first fleet ballistic missile submarine, USS George Washington (SSBN 598), is commissioned.

(Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division)