This Day In Naval History: August 17
1812 - The frigate, USS President, captures British schooner, HMS L'Adeline, in the North Atlantic.
1841 - Secretary of the Navy George E. Badger signs that the Chief Clerk's signature is valid on the certified copy of the medal citation awarded to Capt. Stephen Decatur, for his gallantry in action against the British frigate, HMS Macedonian, on Oct. 25, 1812.
1942 - The submarines USS Nautilus (SS 168) and USS Argonaut (SM 1) land more than 200 Marines on Makin Island, Gilbert Islands, in the first amphibious attack made from submarines.
1943 - Army troops enter Messina terminating the campaign in Sicily. Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 15 conducts unopposed landings from motor torpedo boats (PT 215), (PT 216) and (PT 217) on islands of Lipari and Stromboli. Commander Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 15, Lt. E.A. Dubose, accepts the unconditional surrender of the Lipari Islands (Alicudi, Filicudi, Vulcano, Stromboli, Salina and Lipari). Destroyer Trippe (DD 403) covers the operation.
1959 - Adm. Arleigh A. Burke, is reappointed as Chief of Naval Operations for his third, two-year term, serving the longest as Chief of Naval Operations.
1962 - The Navy's first hydrofoil patrol craft, USS High Point (PCH 1) is launched at Seattle, Wash.
2002 - USS McCampbell (DDG 85) is commissioned at San Francisco, Calif. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is named for Medal of Honor recipient Capt. David McCampbell, the Navys leading ace pilot during World War II.
(Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division)