National Museum of the United States Navy

06/17/2026

As America celebrates 250 years NMUSN is highlighting each of our fifty states and some of their contributions to the history and heritage of the US Navy.

Our next installment in this series is Missouri, the Show-Me State.

Among Missouri’s many great contributions to the nation and it’s navy:

During WWII Naval Air Station St. Louis served as a manufacturing center for McDonnell Aircraft and Curtiss-Wright. Later reverting to a reserve station, the first prototype of the supersonic F-4 Phantom II was flown there in 1958.

Born in Brunswick, Rear Adm. Wayne E. Meyer enlisted in 1943. He later became the first director of surface warfare at NAVSEA, leading the development of the Aegis integrated weapons system. This enables the Navy ships to use computers and radar to detect threats and guide their weapons to destroy enemy targets.

Did you know? The formal surrender of Japan at the end of WWII took place on board USS Missouri (BB63) in Toyoko Bay. It was selected for being named for President Truman’s home state and for its status as Fleet Adm. William F. Halsey’s flagship in the final weeks of the war.

For more fascinating facts about US Navy history and Missouri, check out:
https://www.history.navy.mil/news-and-events/multimedia-gallery/infographics/state-infographics/naval-history-of-missouri.html

Images:
Rear Admiral Wayne E. Meyer, USN. 21 October 2010. US Navy photo.

USS Missouri under Attack by Iraqi Silkworm by John Charles Roach; 1991. While providing gunfire support to harass the Iraqi troops in Kuwait in preparation for a possible amphibious landing, USS Missouri (BB-63) was fired upon by an Iraqi silkworm anti-ship missile. By the use of infrared flares and chaff, the missile's guidance was confused. It crossed close astern of the Missouri and was engaged and shot down by HMS Gloucester (D-96). Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, # 92-007-U.

Naval Air Station St. Louis, Missouri. Station Colors and Station Keepers pass in review during the annual military inspection, 23 April 1954. Note station flag. Catalog # 80-G-639591, National Archives

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06/17/2026

⏳ Check out some amazing history on Navy Music! ⚓🎵

Navy Music is celebrating 200 years of the musician rating projecting a positive image at home and abroad, preserving the nation’s musical heritage and inspiring the next generation of Sailors.

06/11/2026

As we refresh our American Revolution gallery we study more than 18th century military tactics and tech, but culture of life aboard a ship as well.

The key tasks and functions of the song “Leave her Johnny” were both practical and a way to air grievances. It was sung as the ship was approaching it’s final destination. The song allowed sailors to complain about poor conditions, rotten food and bad officers without direct confrontation. Singing complaints during the voyage could lead to severe punishment, but singing it at the very end, once the ship was in port and freedom was near, was tolerated as a final farewell to the ship and it’s hardships.

06/11/2026

The key tasks and functions of the song “Leave her Johnny” were both practical and a way to air grievances. It was sung as the ship was approaching it’s final destination. The song allowed sailors to complain about poor conditions, rotten food and bad officers without direct confrontation. Singing complaints during the voyage could lead to severe punishment, but singing it at the very end, once the ship was in port and freedom was near, was tolerated as a final farewell to the ship and it’s hardships.

06/10/2026

As America celebrates 250 years NMUSN is highlighting each of our fifty states and some of their contributions to the history and heritage of the US Navy.

Among Maine's many great contributions to the nation and it’s navy:

A Bath native, Adm. Charles F. Hughes graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1884 and became an expert in deep-sea sounding and hydrography. As Chief of naval Operations from 1927 to 1930, he advocated for constructing more light cruisers, expanding naval aviation, and the construction of the first aircraft carrier, USS Ranger (CV4).

Acquired in in 1957, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area master Station, (NCTAMS), Atlantic, Detachment Cutler provides reliable long-range communications for US and NATO forces operating in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Its primary mission is to offer a very-low-frequency (VLF) broadcast link between command authorities and ships, planes, and submarines at sea.

Bath Iron Works, established in 1884, played a crucial role in building warships for the US Navy, including destroyers that served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters during WWII.

To learn more fascinating facts about US Navy history and Maine, check out:
https://www.history.navy.mil/news-and-events/multimedia-gallery/infographics/state-infographics/maine-s-naval-history.html

Images:
A photographic portrait of Adm. Charles F. Hughes, the Chief of Naval Operations (14 November 1927 to 17 September 1930). 48930. Naval History and Heritage Command

Insignia, NCTAMS LANT. DVIDS: Graphics by Petty Officer 2nd Class William Sykes. U.S. Fleet Cyber Command / U.S. 10th Fleet. Posted 05.17.2019

Insignia, NCTAMS LANT. Circa, 2019.

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06/09/2026

In celebration of 200 years of the musician rating, we bring you a fun fact about the history of "Anchors Aweigh"!

06/04/2026

"In the next installment celebrating NMUSN is highlighting Alabama, the Yellowhammer State.

Among Alabama’s many great contributions to the nation and it’s navy:

Born in Florance in 1926, Rear Admiral Fran McKee graduated from University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry before accepting a commission as an ensign in the Navy. She achieved flag rank as
an unrestricted line officer in 1976. Her awards in her 31-year career include the Legion of Merit.

The NROTC unit at Auburn is one of the oldest in the country, founded in 1946 under the Holloway Plan, which aimed to augment the output of the US Naval Academy. Its notable alumni include Adm. Michael S.
Rogers, who became the commander of the US Cyber Command and the 17th director of the National Security Agency.

Did you know? While attacking Fort Morgan on Aug. 5, 1864, the iron-hulled, single-turret monitor Tecumseh struck a Confedrate mine (torpedo) and sank in Mobile Bay. Rear AAdm. David Farrugut, USN forced his fleet to continue its advance under the guns of the fort, yelling, ""Damn the torpedoes! Four bells!""

To learn more fascinating facts about US Navy history and Alabama, check out:
https://www.history.navy.mil/news-and-events/multimedia-gallery/infographics/state-infographics/alabama-s-naval-history.html

Images:
Admiral James L. Holloway III, left, Chief of Naval Operations, and Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf II, right, try 19th-century Navy officer epaulets on Rear Admiral Fran McKee during her frocking ceremony at the Pentagon in May 1976. Navla Institute Photo Archive.

Insignia, Naval ROTC, Auburn University, circa 2024.

Great Naval Victory in Mobile Bay, Aug. 5th 1864 [graphic]. Published by Currier & Ives, 1864. Print shows battle between Union monitors and sloops against Confederate ships and ram CSS Tennessee in Mobile Bay with Fort Morgan in the distance.

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06/04/2026

Curator Spotlight:

Hello I’m Dr. Abby Schreiber.

I’m a curator at the National Museum of the United States Navy, and for the past few months I’ve been leading the effort to re-envision our American Revolution exhibit. This is a dual effort to refresh the space and unsderstand this chapter of American history.

There have been many highlights and surprises throughout this process. But a standout has been how to describe and explain the complexities of naval history in this period. Instead of thinking about this as a story that is strictly about the Navy, I have been widening the scope to include all those who fought on the seas. This allows us to understand the importance of privateers, Army personnel, and many others who supported naval actions.

Thank you for reading and be sure to follow us for the latest developments with new Navy museum.

06/01/2026

05/29/2026

In celebration of 200 years of the musician rating, we recognize the legacy of Unit Band 16!