Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy

Naval History and Heritage Command

Welcome to the Naval History and Heritage Command's Podcast (NHHC) series 'Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy.' NHHC serves as the U.S. Navy's institutional memory by preserving items that best represent our history, sharing the hard-won lessons learned and honoring those who have served. The goal of this podcast is to present naval history and heritage through rich and engaging content that furthers public understanding and fosters continuing support for the U.S. Navy. Our vision is to build a community open to those interested in conversations about naval history -- active-duty Sailors, veterans, families, history buffs, military enthusiasts, and anyone curious about service at sea.

  1. 07/01/2025

    Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy: Ep. 14- Always and Forever, Chester

    For this episode, we speak with NHHC Historian Tyler Bamford about his work on the NHHC monograph "Best Beloved: The Wartime Letters of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz to His Wife, Catherine." The book presents all of the surviving World War II–era correspondence that Fleet Admiral Nimitz wrote to his wife, Catherine, in his own words and his feelings as he prepared to assume command of the devastated U.S. Pacific Fleet in December 1941, his fears about the possibility of being relieved during the war’s darkest days in 1942, and his nervous excitement as he signed the surrender document that ended the most destructive war of the 20th century. Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr., commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, provides a trenchant foreword to this collection. Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://bit.ly/NHHCPodcast_Episode14.

  2. 04/09/2025

    Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy: Ep. 13 - Navy Library, 225 Years Strong

    Recognizing the importance of a professional Navy, President John Adams sent a letter on March 31, 1800, to the first Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddart, directing the establishment of a library containing "It ought to consist of all the best writings...upon the theory and practice of naval architecture, navigation, gunnery, hydraulics, hydrostatics, and all branches of mathematics subservient to the profession of the sea." Two Hundred and Twenty-Five years later, having moved from Philadelphia to New Jersey and then later Washington, D.C., surviving the British attack on Washington, D.C. in the War of 1812, and multiple moves around the greater Washington DC area while falling under various commands of the U.S. Navy, today's Navy Department Library, a part of Naval History and Heritage Command, is one of only a few military historic libraries open to the public. Its vast holdings of over 114,000 book titles, 374,000 manuscripts, and 189,000 issues of periodicals, including 5,644 Rare and 11,011 Special Collections titles, have met many challenges in its history. Still, the Navy Department Library seeks creative and innovative approaches, utilizing new technology to improve reference services while protecting and preserving the home to the most comprehensive collection of historical literature on the United States Navy for another 225 years. Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://bit.ly/NHHCPodcast_Episode13.

  3. 01/24/2025

    Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy: Ep. 12 - The Boxer Rebellion

    In the summer of 1900, foreign diplomats living in Beijing's Legation Quarter were besieged by Chinese imperial soldiers and "Boxers," members of a secret society determined to rid China of foreign influence. Defending the Legation Quarter was a small international guard that included 56 American Sailors and Marines. To survive, the Americans communicated with their foreign allies via hand signals, improvised as food supplies and artillery dwindled, and fought fiercely despite nearly impossible odds. But they could not hold out forever. The conflict was the U.S. military's first taste of coalition warfare on a global stage and its first time meeting China on the battlefield. For this episode, we speak with NHHC Writer-Editor Emily Abdow about her work for the NHHC monograph "The Boxer Rebellion: Bluejackets and Marines in China, 1900-1901" and the critical role of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps led in the defense of the Legation Quarter and the campaign that led to its relief.  Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://bit.ly/NHHCPodcast_Episode12.

  4. 12/19/2024

    Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy: Ep. 11 - Archaeology Beneath the Waves

    Whether it is twenty thousand leagues under the sea or buried where a river once flowed, the NHHC Underwater Archaeology Branch is responsible for managing, researching, preserving, and interpreting the U.S. Navy's sunken military craft. In this latest podcast, we speak with Underwater Archaeologist Ivor Mollema about how the dedicated archaeologists, conservationists, and curators of this branch oversee one of the largest collections of submerged culture resources, which include over 3,000 shipwrecks and 17,000 aircraft scattered around the world. Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://bit.ly/NHHCPodcast_Episode11.

  5. 11/19/2024

    Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy: Ep. 10 - Celebrating Naval Aviation History

    The history of aviation is filled with the trials and tribulations of humanity's ambition to fly amongst the clouds. In this latest podcast, in recognition of November being National Aviation History Month and to honor all who have contributed to it, the Deputy Director of the National Naval Aviation Museum, Hill Goodspeed, discusses the Navy's path to flight by highlighting the establishment and development of naval aviation over the last 100-plus years, along with some of its defining moments and technological advancements, how it plays a crucial role in modern-day society, and the future of naval aviation. Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://bit.ly/NHHCPodcast_Episode10

  6. 10/24/2024

    Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy: Ep. 8 - Navy Innovator: Raye Montague (Pt. 2)

    Part II of the discussion on Navy Innovator Ray Montague. The conversation continues with Dr. David Montague and Dr. Regina Akers, discussing Raye's unique overnight ship design of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class ship design in a record 18 hours and 26 minutes, listening to Raye discuss obstacles she overcame and the mentorship provided to others, Dr. Akers' contribution to the new NHHC publication "The U.S. Navy and Innovation: Twentieth-Century Case Studies," and close with news of Raye being selected to represent Arkansas for the U.S. Mint American Innovation $1 Coin Program. For more information about Raye Montague, visit https://www.history.navy.mil/news-and-events/anchored-in-history/podcast-navy-innovator-raye-montague-pt2.html

  7. 10/01/2024

    Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy: Ep. 8 - Navy Innovator: Raye Montague (Pt. 1)

    For this multi-part episode, we highlight naval innovator Raye Montague, featured in the new NHHC publication "U.S. Navy and Innovation, 20th Century Case Studies." Raye Montague's path to becoming an engineer was not without its challenges. Inspired by a submarine tour with her grandfather, she knew from a young age that this was her calling. However, growing up in the segregated South during the 1950s as an African-American, her mother warned her that she would face an uphill battle. She earned a degree in business and quickly found employment with the Navy in Washington, D.C., in 1956, where she flourished. Undeterred by a field dominated by men, Raye would learn on the job how to run a UNIVAC I computer and attend engineering and programming night classes, becoming a digital computer systems operator and systems analyst. With every continued obstacle, she persisted in overcoming it. Then, in 1971, given a task that would have taken two years on paper to sketch out the design of a warship, Raye would produce her crowning achievement: the first computer-designed warship in history, a draft for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, and in only 18 hours and 26 minutes. For more information about Raye Montague, visit: https://www.history.navy.mil/news-and-events/anchored-in-history/podcast-navy-innovator-raye-montague-pt1

  8. 09/09/2024

    Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy: Ep. 7 - Of Mutts and Men

    On this episode, Gordon Calhoun, a Curator at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, and Thomas Frezza, a Public Affairs Specialist with NHHC, discuss the animals who have served throughout U.S. Naval History. Whether they were being used as a source of nourishment for Sailors out on long journeys, as mascots for various ships, commands and institutions, or as beloved pets and crewmates, animals have always played a crucial role in the Navy. Learn about Admiral George Dewey's dog "Bob," various mascots like that of USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18), the rooster of various USS Saratoga ships, and the U.S. Naval Academy's goat. Animals continue to serve in the Navy to this day, protecting harbors, recovering objects, and helping support Sailors with the stresses of military life at sea with dogs like "Sage," "Ike," and "Captain Demo". Learn more about this topic and review the show notes at https://www.history.navy.mil/news-and-events/anchored-in-history/podcast-of-mutts-and-men.html

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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
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12 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Naval History and Heritage Command's Podcast (NHHC) series 'Anchored in History - Stories of America's Navy.' NHHC serves as the U.S. Navy's institutional memory by preserving items that best represent our history, sharing the hard-won lessons learned and honoring those who have served. The goal of this podcast is to present naval history and heritage through rich and engaging content that furthers public understanding and fosters continuing support for the U.S. Navy. Our vision is to build a community open to those interested in conversations about naval history -- active-duty Sailors, veterans, families, history buffs, military enthusiasts, and anyone curious about service at sea.

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