This Day in U.S. Naval History - July 5

1884- An Act of Congress (23 Stat. L., 118) created a special service known as the Bureau of Navigation, under the Treasury Department, with the duty of supervising the work having to do with the administration of American navigation laws. "The act specifically allotted to the bureau the numbering of vessels and the preparation of the annual list of merchant vessels of the United States."

 

2000- HH-65A CGNR 6539 rescued 51 persons from a burning oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.  The aircrew responded to the fire and safely airlifted 15 people to a nearby platform nine miles from the fire.  They then evacuated another 36 people to awaiting boats.  One of the 6539's crew had landed on the platform to coordinate the rescue.  As the helicopter returned to retrieve him, the rig exploded and sent a fireball 100 feet into the air.  Unsure whether he survived, the 6539 flew into the thick, black column of smoke and safely rescued him.  All four aircrew were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

 

Source: Navy News Service