This Day in Naval History

1918 - Sailors fire first of the five railroad batteries at Tergnier, a German rail head in the Comeigne Forest. These 14-inch, 50-caliber guns were originally designed for battleships.
1939 - Navy begins formation of neutrality patrol for Atlantic Ocean.
1940 - First destroyers transferred to Great Britain at Halifax, Nova Scotia, under "Destroyers for Bases" agreement.
1944 - USS Independence (CVL 22) begins use of specially trained air group for night work. First time a fully-equipped night carrier operates with fast carrier task force.
1945 - U.S. troops begin returning home when Task Force 11 left Tokyo Bay for the United States.
1953 - Exchange of prisoners of war from Korean War (Operation Big Switch) ends.

For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.