Today in U.S. Naval History: July 30

Posted by Eric Haun July 30, 2014

USS Indianapolis (CA-35) preparing to leave Tinian after delivering atomic bomb components, circa July 26, 1945. She was sunk on July 30 while en route to the Philippines. (Donation of Major Harley G. Toomey, Jr., USAF(Retired), 1971, who took this photograph. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph)

Today in U.S. Naval History - July 30

1918 - Units of First Marine Aviation Force arrive at Brest, France

1941 - Japanese aircraft bomb USS Tutuila (PR-4) at Chungking, China; First Navy ship damaged by Axis during World War II.

1942 - Franklin D. Roosevelt signs act establishing WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). During World War II, more than 80,000 officer and enlisted women served in the WAVES.

1944 - Naval Task Force lands Army troops near Cape Opmarai, New Guinea.

1945 - Japanese submarine, I-58, sinks USS Indianapolis (CA-35) in Philippine Sea; 316 out of 1,199 crew survived.

1967 - Fire on board USS Forrestal off the coast of Vietnam results in death of 134 crew.

For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.