This Day in U.S. Naval History – February 7

1800 - USS Essex becomes first U.S. Navy vessel to cross the Equator.

1815 - The Board of Naval Commissioners, a group of senior officers, is established to oversee the operation and maintenance of the Navy, under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy.

1955 - Seventh Fleet ships begin evacuation of Chinese nationalists from Tachen Islands

1965 - In response to a Viet Cong attack on barracks area at Pleiku, South Vietnam, aircraft from carriers, USS Coral Sea, USS Hancock, and USS Ranger attack North Vietnamese area near Donghoi.

(Source: Navy News Service)