This Day in Naval History – April 7

1776 - Continental brig Lexington captures British Edward

1917 - Navy takes control of all wireless radio stations in the U.S.

1942 - Navy accepts African Americans for general service

1945 - First two Navy flight nurses land on an active battlefield (Iwo Jima): ENS Jane Kendeigh, USNR, and LTJG Ann Purvis, USN

1945 - Carrier aircraft defeat last Japanese Navy sortie (Battle of East China Sea); Yamato, world's largest battleship, and five other ships sunk

1979 - Launching of first Trident submarine, USS Ohio (SSBN-726) at Groton, CT

(Source: Navy News Service)