This Day in Naval History - Dec. 21

From the Navy News Service

1861 - Congress declares Naval personnel eligible for the Medal of Honor, the Nation's highest award.

1943 - USS Grayling (SS 208) sinks its fourth Japanese ship in three days.

1951 - The first helicopter landing aboard a hospital ship takes place aboard USS Consolation (AH 15).

1968 - Apollo 8 is launched with Capt. James A. Lovell Jr. as Command Module Pilot. During the mission, Lovell becomes one of the first three people to see the far side of the moon. The mission lasted 6 days and 3 hours, including 10 moon orbits. Helicopters from USS Yorktown (CVS 10) take care of the recovery.