This Day in Naval History – Jan. 5

1855 - USS Plymouth crew skirmish with Chinese troops

1875 - CDR Edward Lull begins expedition to locate best ship canal route across Panama. Route followed 30 years later.

1943 - USS Helena (CL-50) fired first proximity fused projectile in combat and shot down Japanese divebomber in southwest Pacific.

1968 - First Male Nurse Corps officer in Regular Navy, LT Clarence W. Cote.

(Source: Navy News Service)