Admiral Nimitz Foundation - National Museum of the Pacific War

On this day in history, 17 October 1944, Army units land near the entrance to Leyte Gulf in preparation for the upcoming invasion. The 6th Ranger Battalion was transported to two small islands near Leyte Gulf by Navy ships. Although there was no enemy opposition to the Americans’ arrival, tropical weather caused some disturbances, preventing the accompanying air operations for the landings. Nevertheless, the Army battalion was successfully delivered to the two islands. These landings would help to ensure the safe passage of the main invasion force scheduled to arrive three days later. Sources: Naval History and Heritage Command “United States Army in World War II”, U.S. Army Image of unloading supplies at Leyte beach from the U.S. Army Center of Military History.

Introducing Elijah, the next adoptable pup in our War Dog Series from the Hill Country SPCA! Elijah is a spunky 2-year-old, 38-pound Kelpie mix on a mission to find his forever home. He’s the perfect partner for any adventure, especially when it involves splashing in a pool, creek, or river. This energetic boy loves water fun, snack quests, and, of course, cuddle sessions! In honor of Elijah's adventurous spirit, we’re also sharing the story of one of WWII's most famous war dogs—Smoky, a tiny Yorkshire Terrier who bravely served alongside Australian and US troops in the the Pacific. Found in the jungles of New Guinea, Smoky was adopted by Corporal Bill Wynne and became a symbol of bravery and companionship. Smoky once saved her handler’s life by barking a warning of an incoming attack and performed heroic feats like running communication lines through narrow pipes to save her unit. This little dog earned eight battle stars for her service.

On this day in history, 16 October 1943, the U.S. Navy accepts its first helicopter into service. Russian aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky had been developing various aircrafts—including the first four-engine bombers—for years, and when he moved to the United States in 1919, he harbored a deep interest in rotary-wing aircraft. He developed his first successful model, the VS-300, and performed tests in 1939-40. The U.S. Coast Guard, when it became part of the Navy in November 1941, took up helicopter development for the Navy. When the Commandant of the Coast Guard saw the successful demonstrations of Sikorsky’s aircraft, he was impressed and recommended the craft to Admiral King, the Chief of Naval Operations. King put in an order of Sikorsky’s helicopters for testing, and the first helicopter for service, a Sikorsky YR-4B (nicknamed “Hoverfly”), was received by the Navy at Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1943. Helicopters would be used in various capacities in the latter part of World War II, but became a truly integral part of war- and peacetime Naval operations after the war. Sources: National Naval Aviation Museum Naval Helicopter Association U.S. Naval Institute Image: A Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation HNS Hoverfly from the National Naval Aviation Museum. #navalaviation #helicopters #wwiihistory #pacificwar #usn #navy #sikorsky #coastguard

On this day in history, 15 October 1948, the first women are commissioned into the Regular Navy. The various military branches opened limited positions to women during World War II, but most of them were not permanent jobs, intended only as a holdover to allow men to fight on the frontlines. However, after the war, many of them did not want to leave the new opportunities they had been afforded, and they pushed to retain their new careers. President Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act in June 1948, officially allowing women to serve in all branches of the U.S. military as full, permanent members. Among the first women to receive a commission in the Regular Navy were Captain Joy Bright Hancock, the director of the WAVES and an instrumental figure in the passage of the act. There were seven others who were sworn in with Captain Hancock at various ranks, and 280 women followed suit after them. Sources: Naval History and Heritage Command United Service Organization U.S. Department of Defense Image: President Truman holding copy of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act. U.S. government photo from the U.S. Department of Defense. #womenshistory #military #militarywomen #truman #usa #wwiihistory #pacificwar #uso #usn #navy #hancock

For our last post of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we honor Medal of Honor recipient Alejandro R. Ruiz of the United States Army. Born in New Mexico in 1923 to Mexican immigrants, Ruiz enlisted in the Army after the outbreak of World War II. He completed basic training and was assigned to the 27th Infantry Division, beginning his long and successful military career. In April of 1945, the 27th Infantry Division took part in the invasion of Okinawa. There, PFC Ruiz’s unit was pinned down by enemy fire and grenades. Although the enemy continued to fire upon the unit’s position, Ruiz discarded his own M1 Garande, took up a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), and charged toward the first enemy pillbox. When a Japanese soldier charged him, he found that the BAR had jammed, but rather than retreat, Ruiz used it as a club against his assailant. Ruiz then returned for a new rifle and extra ammunition and charged back toward the enemy despite the fire now concentrated on him. A bullet caught him in the leg, but he pressed on. He darted about the pillbox, shooting a burst of fire into every opening he could reach, eventually eliminating the enemy inside and neutralizing the position. For his actions, Alejandro R. Ruiz was awarded the Medal of Honor, as well as the Purple Heart. Ruiz remained in the United States Army even after the end of World War II. He served in the Korean War and retired in the 1960s at the rank of Master Sergeant. He passed away in 2009. Sources: Congressional Medal of Honor Society Harry S. Truman Library Los Angeles Times Military Hall of Honor Image: Ruiz receiving the Medal of Honor from President Truman. U.S. Army photo. #usa #army #wwiihistory #medalofhonor #pacificwar #okinawa #purpleheart #veterans #latino #infantry

On this day in history, 13 October 1942, the first U.S. Army troops land on Guadalcanal. The 164th Infantry came ashore as reinforcements to the 1st Marine Division, which landed on Guadalcanal in early August. The Marines had taken the airfield on the island, renaming it “Henderson Field,” and established a significant beachhead. Even so, enemy resistance was determined, and disease was prevalent on Guadalcanal, resulting in many casualties. The Japanese also had a supply line, nicknamed “The Tokyo Express” that brought reinforcements and supplies to the Japanese troops, further complicating the Allied advance. The new Army unit, delivered by the Navy, immediately began to take more ground along the existing beachhead and fought alongside the Marines to secure the island. It took several months for the Marines and Army, combined with Navy bombardment and Army Air Forces air support, to take the island. The capture of Guadalcanal by the Americans was their first offensive victory as well as a showcase of the power of joint military operations. Sources: National WWII Museum U.S. Army Center of Military History Image: SBD bomber wreckage on Guadalcanal. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Today, we celebrate 249 years of Power, Presence, and Protection. Since its founding on October 13, 1775, the U.S. Navy has been a cornerstone of our national security and a symbol of freedom across the globe. This date commemorates a pivotal moment when the Continental Congress authorized a fleet to combat British forces during the American Revolutionary War. Join us in honoring all Sailors—past and present—who have bravely served to protect our interests at sea, on land, and in the sky. #NavyPride #NavyHistory #MilitaryAppreciation #USNavy

On this day in history, 12 October 1940, the USS Wasp (CV-7) launches the first Army aircraft to be flown from a U.S. Navy carrier. The Wasp had taken on a number and variety of planes from the U.S. Army Air Corps in order to perform test launches while out at sea. These tests were a comparative study between the take-off runs of Navy versus Army aircraft. USS Wasp would later be involved in a mission supporting the British military in Iceland, even before the United States officially joined the war. On this mission, the aircraft carrier ferried planes to Iceland to supplement inadequate British numbers, providing vital reinforcements and continuing the pattern of collaboration between the armed forces. Sources: Naval History and Heritage Command U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Image of the WASP (CV-7) from the Naval History and Heritage Command. #wasp #usn #navalaviation #wwiihistory #aircraftcarriers #pacificwar #navy #usaac #armyaircorps

On this day in history, 11 October 1942, the Battle of Cape Esperance begins. The Americans landed on Guadalcanal in early August 1942 and pushed for control of the island. In response, the Japanese established a supply run, nicknamed “The Tokyo Express” by the Americans, to refresh their troops and material even as they fought back against the Allies. To protect the island and engage with the Japanese convoys closing in on Guadalcanal, U.S. convoys were deployed, including Task Force SUGAR commanded by Rear Admiral Norman Scott. This convoy, comprised of destroyers and cruisers, was to travel from Espiritu Santo to Guadalcanal, and had orders to “search for and destroy enemy ships and landing craft.” Using lessons learned from the ill-fated Battle of Savo Island just months before, Admiral Scott continually trained his ships and managed to surprise the Japanese at Cape Esperance. Task Force SUGAR engaged the enemy just before midnight on 11 October. The ensuing battle cost the Americans one destroyer and two heavily damaged ships, but the Japanese lost a cruiser and a destroyer and sustained severe damage to another cruiser. The Japanese retreated, and although another Tokyo Express convoy was able to resupply Guadalcanal’s Japanese troops, the Battle of Cape Esperance significantly bolstered U.S. morale during the Solomons campaign. Image: USS Duncan just days before she was sunk in the Battle of Cape Esperance. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Sources: Naval History and Heritage Command The Sextant #capeesperance #usn #navalbattle #pacificwar #wwiihistory #destroyers #cruisers #ijn #normanscott #navy #guadalcanal #tokyoexpress

For #HispanicHeritageMonth today we are highlighting Medal of Honor recipient Private First Class David M. Gonzales! Born in Pacoima, California in 1923, David M. Gonzales enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 20. He was assigned to the 127th Infantry Regiment and served on the Philippine island of Luzon. During the action on Luzon, his company encountered fierce fighting, and a 500-pound bomb exploded near their position. Five men were instantly buried in their foxhole. Instantly, Pfc Gonzales grabbed an entrenching tool and began to help his commanding officer dig his comrades out. The commanding officer was killed by machine gun fire, but Gonzales continued to work, freeing first one man and then another. As he worked to free the third soldier, he was hit and killed by enemy fire. For his actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which was accepted by his surviving family, which included his wife and newborn son, David Gonzales, Jr. Gonzales was the first Medal of Honor recipient to hail from Los Angeles County. Sources: Aerotech News Congressional Medal of Honor Society National Archives Photo of David M. Gonzales from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. #medalofhonor #latino #hispanic #usa #army #wwiihistory #pacificwar #philippines #luzon #armyinfantry