history united_states_navy history united_states_navy divides major periods small respected force sailing ships notable innovation use ironclads american civil war result modernization effort began 1880s largest world 1920s united_states navy claims october date official establishment passed resolution creating end american revolutionary war disbanded president george_washington threats american merchant shipping pirates north african muslim states mediterranean led naval act created permanent standing original frigates authorized act years navy fought french_navy quasi war states second wars british war war peace mexican american war served combat piracy mediterranean caribbean seas fighting slave trade founded american_civil_war began fought small sailing ships ironclad ships forming blockade shut confederacy civilian shipping civil war ships laid reserve navy men consisted outdated ship designs decade congress approved building multiple modern armored cruisers battleships start 20th century moved twelfth place fifth place terms numbers ships winning major battles spanish american war navy continued build ships end world war men women uniform royal_navy recognized navy equal capital ship size royal_navy 1920s 1930s navy built aircraft carriers battleships navy drawn world war japanese attack pearl harbor december years fought historic battles including multiple naval battles largest naval battle history battle navy activity concerned support landings island campaign pacific european landings japanese surrendered large flotilla entered tokyo bay witness formal ceremony conducted battleship missouri officials japanese government signed end war navy warships world war ended entered cold war participated korean war vietnam war iraq war following collapse soviet_union soviet navy fell apart united_states world undisputed naval nuclear power missile technology led new ship propulsion weapon systems class aircraft carriers ohio class submarines number ships world war prompted ronald_reagan institute program modern ship navy today united_states world undisputed naval ability engage project power simultaneous limited wars separate fronts march reached smallest fleet size ships world war head raised concerns ability respond aggressive moves iran china foundations navy rooted american tradition produced large community sailors captains colonial era revolution states operated navies june passed resolution creating navy colony rhode_island day governor signed orders addressed captain commander sloop commodore armed vessels employed government formal movement creation continental navy came rhode_island merchants widespread smuggling activities severely harassed british frigates august rhode_island passed resolution single continental fleet funded resolution introduced october meantime george_washington begun acquire ships starting schooner paid washington pocket hannah commissioned launched september port massachusetts navy recognizes october date official establishment date passage resolution philadelphia pennsylvania created day congress authorized purchase vessels armed cruise british merchant ships congress december authorized building thirteen frigates months ships guns guns guns ordered construction navy vessels slow british fleet invading new_york canada british fleet destroy arnold fleet fleet managed slow british day battle known managed slow progression british_army number ships ranging including thirteen frigates approved congress construction effectiveness limited completely mighty royal_navy nearly captured sunk success letters issued congress individual states american agents europe caribbean issued commissions taking account commissions issued authorities british ships taken yankee amounting million significant sum time particularly notable american naval hero revolution john paul jones famous voyage british isles defeated british ship battle head battle rigging ships guns jones ship action captain asked jones struck colors jones quoted begun fight france officially entered war june ships french_navy sent spent year west_indies sailed near thirteen colonies caribbean hurricane season july november french fleet attempted landings new_york rhode_island ultimately failed engage british forces fleet commanded vice admiral assisted american forces attempting recapture georgia fleet troops commanded lieutenant general landed newport rhode_island shortly fleet blockaded british early washington planned attack british chesapeake_bay area coordinate arrival large fleet commanded vice admiral successfully british attack planned new_york washington marched virginia began landing forces near virginia september major naval action fought british battle virginia ending french fleet control chesapeake_bay continued british supply ships peace finally declared late revolutionary war ended treaty paris disbanded remaining ships sold frigate alliance fired shots american revolutionary war ship navy faction congress wanted ship new nation funds service general lack money factors navy loose confederation states change goals war peace domestic fewer foreign interests american revolutionary war brand new united_states struggled stay financially afloat national income desperately needed came imported goods rampant smuggling need immediate strong enforcement laws august urged secretary treasury created forerunner united_states_coast_guard enforce maritime laws initially ordered created armed maritime service united_states american merchant shipping protected consequence treaty paris united_states longer protection ships pirates fledgling nation funds pay annual tribute states ships vulnerable capture new constitution united states authorized congress create navy george_washington term little navy french revolutionary wars great_britain france began truce negotiated portugal ended portugal blockade kept pirates mediterranean soon pirates sailed atlantic captured american merchant ships seamen reaction seizure american vessels congress debated approved naval act authorized building frigates guns guns supporters northern states coastal regions argued navy result savings insurance ransom payments opponents southern states inland regions thought navy worth expense drive united_states costly wars establishment passage naval act work began construction frigates president congress constitution constitution launched famous nicknamed old like earlier hms thanks efforts existence today anchored boston harbor soon bill passed congress authorized obtain treaty ransom captives triggering amendment act halt construction ships peace declared considerable debate frigates authorized completed united_states constitution naval vessel sail uss time tensions france developed quasi war originated brought french revolutionary war united_states preferred position neutrality conflicts france britain nation odds britain france jay treaty authorized britain france began united_states seized american vessels newly inaugurated president took steps deal crisis working congress finish completed frigates approving funds build attempting negotiate agreement similar jay treaty france originated report distributed adams alleged french agents identified letters informed delegation bribe paid diplomats meet foreign minister resulting scandal increased popular support country war france concerns ability manage navy led creation established april war france fought entirely sea merchant ships victory united_states_navy july uss delaware captured french victory enemy warship february frigate captured french frigate end peace france declared prevent second navy outgoing administration rushed congress act authorizing peacetime navy time limited navy active frigates seven ordinary officers remainder ships service sold dismissed officers given months pay problems states gone away declared war united_states flag began captured set fire american raid led marines invaded shores tripoli capturing city time flag flew foreign conquest act induce rulers sign peace treaties subsequently navy greatly reduced reasons economy instead regular ships built intended coastal use policy proved completely ineffective decade president republican party opposed strong navy arguing small major nation needed defend proved useless wartime royal_navy continued illegally press american sailors royal_navy estimated sailors leopard affair demanded submit inspection ostensibly looking british citizens reality looking suitable sailors press royal_navy leopard severely damaged refused violent encounters affair fueled tensions june declared war britain war war expected fought sea hour announcement war american navy set forth battle opponent months uss constitution sank hms crew dismayed bouncing constitution unusually strong live oak hull giving enduring nickname old december constitution defeated hms java coast brazil java burned americans determined salvaged october captured battle captured entered american service uss essex commenced raiding venture british merchant industry essex known capture british transport previous year gained success capturing british british finally took action hms stop essex violating chile neutrality british captured essex capture british frigates led british deploy vessels american blockade june boston harbor frigate commanded captain captured british frigate hms shannon captain sir lawrence mortally wounded famously cried don ship despite earlier successes navy best ships blockaded port unable prevent british incursions land sea summer british fought amphibious assaults washington baltimore capital fell british fight ships burned including gun frigate baltimore bombardment inspired write star banner blocking channel prevented fleet entering harbor army ships ending battle american naval victories battle lake battle lake halted final british offensive north helped deny british exclusive rights great lakes treaty shortly treaty signed uss president captured british frigates days treaty signed constitution captured final naval action war occurred months treaty june sloop uss captured brig enemy ship captured world war war navy accomplishments paid form better funding embarked construction new ships expense larger ships stayed shipyards half completed readiness war age sail completely passed main force navy continued large sailing frigates number smaller decades peace 1840s navy began adopt steam power shell guns french british adopting new technologies enlisted sailors time included foreign born men native born americans usually social employment options trying escape punishment crimes men sailed merchant ships boston harbor men recruited navy unlawful black men serve navy shortage men acute law frequently ignored discipline followed customs royal_navy punishment typical european navies rarely prosecuted army abolished punishment navy kept war states took advantage weakness united_states_navy capture american merchant ships sailors treaty signed united_states looked ending piracy mediterranean plagued american merchants decades march congress authorized deployment naval power beginning second war powerful squadrons command stephen including gun ships line washington independence franklin dispatched mediterranean shortly departing gibraltar route squadron encountered flagship action june captured long afterward american squadron likewise captured brig battle cape june squadrons reached peace negotiated including return captured vessels men guarantee tributes right trade region piracy caribbean sea major problem estimated ships captured pirates congress authorized president deal threat pirates newly independent states latin_america decided embark strategy diplomacy backed guns navy agreement venezuela reached ships regularly captured military campaign command combination large frigates escorting merchant ships backed small craft searching small islands capturing pirate vessels campaign uss sea steam powered ship combat action isolated instances piracy continued 1830s frequent attacks ended region declared free commerce international problem slave trade african squadron formed deal threat politically suppression slave trade unpopular squadron withdrawn ostensibly deal piracy caribbean return african coast passage treaty britain treaty passed united_states fewer ships treaty required ordered ships based far coast africa ships large operate close shore united_states_navy captured slave vessels british captured vessels carrying captives congress formally authorized establishment took years approve similar school naval officers long period peace opportunities promotion obtained patronage poor quality officer training visible affair alleged mutiny aboard training ship uss subsequent execution appointed secretary navy decided work outside congressional approval create new academy officers formed council led commodore perry create new system training officers turned old fort new institution designated congress naval forces participated effort forcibly indians florida reservation west mississippi massacre army soldiers near tampa december marines sailors added forces fought second war fleet formed small craft transport mixture army navy personnel pursue swamps soldiers killed conflict agreed small group remained control area lake navy played role major operations mexican american war transported invasion force captured veracruz landing troops equipment day leading eventually capture mexico_city end war ships facilitated capture california commodore led squadron ships sailed japan establish normal relations japan perry advanced steam powered ships calm firm diplomacy convinced japan end centuries isolation sign treaty nominally treaty friendship agreement soon paved way opening japan normal trade relations united_states europe american civil war beginning war end commissioned officers warrant officers resigned dismissed united_states_navy went serve confederacy april union burned ships prevent capture ships completely destroyed screw frigate hastily scuttled hull steam engine basically intact gave south idea raising upper sides iron plate resulting ship named virginia similar ideas received funding build uss monitor commanding general beginning war devised win war little possible idea union blockade main ports weaken confederate economy capture mississippi_river split south lincoln adopted plan terms blockade squeeze death confederate economy overruled scott warnings new army ready offensive operation public opinion demanded immediate attack march initiated combat ironclads virginia successfully attacked blockade day monitor engaged virginia battle roads battle ended draw confederacy later lost virginia ship scuttled prevent capture monitor prototype monitor warship built confederacy built ironclad ships war lacked ability build purchase ships effectively counter monitors ironclad ships new technologies naval mines known torpedoes torpedo submarine warfare introduced war confederacy mines protect harbor sank union monitor sank admiral famously said damn torpedoes speed ahead forerunner modern submarine david attacked uss new torpedo union ship barely damaged resulting water fires submarine boiler rendering submarine submarine designed dive surface ultimately work sank occasions trials action uss submarine successfully sank target lost explosion operated number commerce raiders blockade runners alabama famous british investors built small fast blockade runners traded arms brought bermuda cuba bahamas return high priced cotton tobacco seized blockade runner ship cargo sold proceeds given navy sailors captured crewmen british simply released blockade south caused southern economy collapse war shortages food supplies caused blockade failure southern railroads loss control main rivers foraging union confederate armies standard living fell large scale printing paper money caused inflation distrust currency internal food distribution broken leaving cities food causing food riots confederacy union victory second battle fort fisher january closed useful southern port virtually ending blockade running end war decline navy war navy went period decline navy men uniform ships monitor type coastal ironclads second largest world royal_navy navy ships commission men ships shore facilities congress saw need spend money improve navy unprepared fight major maritime war expedition warships commanded rear admiral sent korea obtain apology murders american sailors secure treaty protect foreigners future small skirmish launched amphibious assault approximately men forts protecting seoul despite capture forts refused negotiate expedition forced leave start typhoon season sailors marines received medals honor acts heroism korean campaign actions foreign conflict 1870s ironclads civil war laid reserve leaving united_states virtually ironclad fleet affair broke spanish ironclad happened anchored leading uncomfortable realization ship capable defeating vessel navy hastily issued contracts construction new ironclads accelerated existing repair program uss class monitors subsequently built result war scare vessels later spanish american war time administration assumed office navy condition deteriorated review conducted behalf new secretary navy found vessels navy active list operational state mere iron ships including aging civil war era ironclads hunt recognized necessity navy set informal advisory board recommendations expected morale considerably officers sailors foreign ports aware old wooden ships survive long event war limitations monitor type effectively prevented united_states projecting power overseas 1890s united_states come badly conflict spain latin american powers new navy rebuilding recommendation advisory panel navy secretary requested funds congress construct modern ships request rejected initially congress authorized construction protected cruisers uss atlanta dispatch vessel known ships protected cruisers uss newark american cruiser fitted sail rig authorized congress authorized construction battleships navy uss texas uss maine ships proved excellent vessels cruisers organized popularly known color hulls train generation officers men book influence sea power history published influential naval program civilian government general public closing frontier americans began look caribbean hawaii pacific doctrine philosophical justification saw navy essential realizing doctrine limits american continent doctrine influenced navy secretary propose united_states start building ships types congress rejected proposal instead navy act authorized building battleships followed start 20th century class battleships illinois class battleships completed construction brought twelfth place fifth place world navies battle tactics especially long range gunnery central concern spanish american war united_states interested purchasing colonies spain specifically cuba spain refused newspapers wrote stories fabricated atrocities committed spanish colonies raised tensions countries riot gave united_states excuse send uss maine cuba subsequent explosion maine havana harbor increased popular support war spain cause explosion investigated board inquiry march came conclusion explosion caused sea pressure public blame spain sinking ship later investigations pointed internal explosion magazines caused heat fire adjacent coal bunker assistant navy secretary quietly positioned navy attack spanish american war declared april command immediately left hong_kong philippines attacking decisively defeating spanish fleet weeks later destroyed majority heavy spanish naval units caribbean navy experience war encouraging won enemy weakest worlds modern fleets manila bay attack extremely risky american ships severely damaged run supplies miles nearest american harbor realization profound effect navy strategy american foreign policy decades rise fortunately ardent political supporter president administration navy went sixth largest world second royal_navy administration involved politics caribbean central_america speech roosevelt said speak carry big stick far cornerstone diplomacy presidency roosevelt believed canal central_america vital strategic interest significantly travel times ships coasts roosevelt able reverse decision favor instead moved purchase failed french effort panama controlled colombia early signed nations control canal united_states failed treaty roosevelt implied rebels revolted navy assist cause independence panama proceeded independence november interference colombia victorious allowed united_states control panama canal zone february million naval base bay cuba built protect canal latest technological innovation time submarines developed state new_jersey irish american inventor submarine officially commissioned service fall russo japanese war launching following year lent impetus construction program end roosevelt sixteen new battleships great white fleet sent cruise world nominally peaceful valuable training exercise rapidly expanding navy useful politically demonstration united_states power capabilities port politicians naval officers potential allies enemies welcomed board given tours cruise desired effect american power subsequently taken seriously voyage taught navy stations needed world strategic potential panama canal completed required ships cruise fleet coal purchased british deny access fuel military crisis russia russo japanese war world war mexico united_states agents discovered german merchant ship carrying illegal arms mexico president wilson ordered navy stop ship docking port veracruz april naval brigade marines sailors occupied veracruz total medals honor awarded acts heroism veracruz largest number granted single action preparing war despite neutrality german submarine warfare british passenger liner sunk leading calls war president wilson forced germans suspend submarine warfare long debate congress passes naval act authorized million construction program years battleships battlecruisers scout cruisers destroyers submarines idea balanced fleet event destroyers important handle convoys end war destroyers ordered finished world war ended served world war war plans defense main american navy secretary journalist built educational resources navy essential experience alienated officer corps reforms wine officers mess ignoring nation strategic needs advice experts daniels suspended meetings years giving advice half recommendations new ships reduced authority officers navy yards ships built repaired ignored administrative chaos department innovative american naval history daniels aide recommended reorganization prepare war daniels refused instead replaced brought new post chief naval operations unknown captain chosen compliance proved interested preparing eventual showdown britain immediate germany daniels set headed obtain advice expertise leading scientists engineers popularized technology naval expansion military covered media daniels rejected proposals send observers europe leaving navy dark success german submarine campaign admiral charged war april percent navy warships fully manned rest lacked seamen ships fully ready light ships number noticed boat factor focus foreign policy years navy plan black plan assumed royal_navy exist german battleships moving freely atlantic caribbean threatening panama canal recent biographer concludes true daniels prepared navy war fight fighting world war america entered war april navy role limited convoy escort troop transport laying minefield north_sea united_states navy sent battleship group scapa_flow join destroyers ireland submarines help guard convoys regiments marines dispatched france victory navy war occurred november uss sank german boat world war navy branch united_states armed forces allow women non nursing capacity woman enlist march navy vast wartime expansion overseen civilian officials especially assistant secretary peacetime navy confined munitions lacked civilian uses including warships naval guns shells navy yards navy yards expanded enormously shells explosives chemical companies like hercules items available civilian market food uniforms purchased civilian contractors armor plate purchased market inter war expansion end world war united_states_navy officers enlisted men women terms personnel largest world younger officers enthusiastic potential land based naval aviation potential roles aircraft carriers chief tried abolish aviation conceive use fleet aviation roosevelt listened reversed decision short period major naval nations globe began programmes increasing size number capital ships wilson plan world leading set capital ships led japanese counter programme plan british build sufficient ships maintain navy superior american feeling economic concerns led outcome conference included known power treaty limitations use submarines treaty prescribed ratio capital ships treaty nations treaty recognized equal royal_navy tons capital ships tons aircraft carriers japanese power older ships scrapped nations meet treaty limitations new building capital ships limited consequence encourage development light cruisers aircraft carriers united_states carrier converted named commissioned soon joined uss designed battlecruisers treaty forbade formed naval referred members army challenged navy trying demonstrate warships destroyed land based bombers destroyed career publicly attacking senior leaders army navy incompetence administration national defense act set regular program ship building modernization bring navy maximum size allowed treaty navy preparation helped navy assistant secretary turned president naval limitation treaties applied bases congress approved building seaplane bases rejected additional funds bases guam philippines navy ships designed greater endurance range allowed operate bases navy presence far_east naval base owned philippines river china bombed machine japanese washington quickly accepted japan compensation african americans enlisted world war halted mustered navy starting 1930s recruited serve officers mess african americans recruited larger numbers roosevelt insisted naval act authorized new battleship uss north_carolina laid october second authorized increase size navy june ocean navy act authorized expansion navy chief naval operations asked increase amounting additional ships authorized congress month september destroyers bases agreement gave britain needed destroyers vintage exchange united_states use british bases reactivated navy shot anger came april destroyer uss dropped depth charges boat detected rescuing survivors torpedoed dutch freighter october destroyers torpedoed lost submarines submarines silent service terms operating characteristics closed mouth preferences looking new type warship influenced large germany nearly successful boat campaign early argued long range submarines accompany fleet scout enemy location new head captain argued submarines win war quicker effective method defeating japan cutting sea communications hart discover backward american submarines compared captured german boats mission public supported submarines coastal protection mission presumably intercept enemy fleets approaching san_francisco new_york navy realized mission congress fund actually old line said mission ought eyes battle fleet assistants battle surface submarines faster knots far slower knot main warships young commanders organized submarine officers conference argued best suited commerce raiding boats redesigned new boats german lines added new requirement capable sailing miles day mission submarine warfare led war germany vigorously condemned public opinion treaties including london treaty planned role warfare japanese merchant ships transports oil navy kept plans secret civilians admiral president roosevelt hours attack ordered warfare enemy ship pacific won navy equipment capable handling secret mission challenge designing appropriate new boats high priority solved new long range submarines launched better class salmon class launched successors class submarines class new models cost million feet length tons twice big german boats highly seconds crash dive feet superb mark analog computer took data readings target bearing range angle bow continuously set course proper angle torpedoes moment firing forward tubes aft ready fish carried cruising surface knots diesel engines maneuvering underwater knots battery powered electric motors circle slow moving merchant ships new techniques strengthened hull enabling dive deep feet order avoid depth charges expecting long cruises crewmen enjoyed good living conditions complete frozen air conditioning handle hot waters pacific new remain sea days cover miles resupply thought ready hidden flaws penny atmosphere 1930s produced commanders torpedoes replaced world war modern era world war command structure disaster pearl harbor roosevelt turned aggressive sailor available admiral experienced big guns aviation submarines king broad knowledge total dedication victory dominating admiral american naval history hated decisions command post washington avoided telling civilian secretary navy king kept dark changed secretary died roosevelt brought tough minded aide despite decision admiral concentrate germany king defeat japan highest priority example king insisted fighting despite strong army objections main strike force built carriers based pearl harbor command chester main battle fleet ships sailors command systems rotated months admiral admiral navy major advantage broken japanese code hawaii target june fleet strike midway island king carriers operation sent midway minutes sank japanese carriers gave americans advantage firepower grew rapidly new american warships came line faster japan build king paid special attention submarines use japanese logistics system built long range missions tropical waters set sink troop transports oil held japanese domains southwest pacific theatre based australia control army general king assigned fleet big carriers carrier warfare december japan carriers launched attack pearl harbor sinking entire battleship fleet defeat forced admiral king develop new strategy based carriers sunken battleships raised new ones built battleships played secondary role war limited chiefly bombardment islands scheduled amphibious landings big gun club dominated navy civil war lost helpless months japanese swept indian_ocean rolling philippines main british base singapore defeats navy stabilized lines summer start war united_states japan matched aircraft carriers terms numbers quality sides zero carrier fighter plane superior terms range american counterpart reverse engineering captured zero american engineers identified weaknesses inadequate protection pilot fuel tanks built superior weapon system late entered combat powered horsepower whitney cylinder radial engine service marine_corps allied fleet air arm faster mph quicker climb feet minute high altitudes better diving armor firepower machine guns fired bullets second zero machine guns pair carried ammunition designed shooting angle heavier shorter range zero proved far superior weapon japan carrier pilot losses midway crippled offensive capability america overwhelming offensive capability came shipyards increasingly produced japan produced high gasoline training fields produced better trained pilots japan commissioned new carriers lost commissioned lost turning point came added lost war end japan carriers tied port damaged lacked fuel lacked launched small carriers large added large escort carriers came new american carriers better designed far guns powerful radar sides sea air land battles japanese better night combat american destroyers trained attacks battleships japanese feed soldiers americans eventually won superior logistics navy built forces developed strategy island skip heavily defended japanese islands instead select islands seize forward air bases atlantic allies waged long battle german submarines termed navy aircraft flew bases greenland iceland hunt submarines hundreds escort carriers destroyer escorts built specifically designed protect merchant convoys pacific ironic twist submarines fought japanese shipping mirror image atlantic submarines hunting japanese merchant ships end war submarines commission lost submarines war actions pacific submarines effectively destroyed japanese merchant fleet january japan oil supply summer began gilbert campaign retake gilbert success americans went summer following defeat battle imperial_japanese_navy aircraft carriers sortied attack navy battle philippine sea largest aircraft carrier battle history battle sided known turkey shoot lost aircraft ships japanese lost planes carriers following victory began philippines october japanese fleet sortied attack invasion fleet resulting day battle largest naval battles history missions flown battle sinking uss damaging ships attacks effective anti ship weapon war battle okinawa major battle japanese ground units okinawa staging area eventual invasion japan miles south japanese mainland marines soldiers landed unopposed april begin day campaign largest land sea air battle history noted fighting high civilian casualties losing lives japanese pilots inflicted largest loss ships naval history sinking damaging total casualties dead wounded japanese lost men making okinawa battles history fierce fighting okinawa said played president decision use atomic bomb invasion japan japanese surrendered flotilla ships entered tokyo bay witness ceremony conducted battleship uss missouri end war navy warships cold war immediate postwar fate navy scrapping ships large scale ships active navy important postwar development navy gave women permanent status forces navy navy gradually developed reputation having highly developed technology services 1950s saw development nuclear power ships leadership admiral development missiles jets navy use construction uss enterprise world nuclear powered aircraft carrier followed class missile submarines grew deadly quiet culminating ohio class submarines tension soviet_union came head korean war clear peacetime navy larger imagined fleets assigned geographic areas world ships sent hot spots standard response periodic crises north korean navy large korean war featured naval battles navies served naval artillery country armies large amphibious landing succeeded driving north 38th parallel ended evacuation troops port program significant included authorization construction submarines largest order world war program included nuclear powered submarines guided missile submarine lead ship class final class attack submarines included diesel electric class diesel electric submarines built unlikely combination navy ships fought vietnam war aircraft carriers offshore launched thousands air strikes small brown water navy patrolled rivers despite naval activity new construction curtailed nixon save money carriers yankee station dated world war fleet surface ships submarines soviet fleet growing outnumbered fleet type carriers navy calculated probably defeated major conflict concern led reagan administration set goal ship navy fleet declined subsequent years iowa class battleships iowa new_jersey missouri wisconsin reactivated years storage modernized appearances shores lebanon united_states_navy conducted combat operations iran notably operation praying largest surface air naval battle world war post cold war present crisis confronts nation question asked naval forces available fast station following collapse soviet_union soviet navy fell apart sufficient personnel man ships money maintain sold foreign nations left united_states world undisputed naval naval forces undergo decline absolute terms relative rest world united_states nations naval power aircraft supporting battle groups 1990s united_states naval strategy based overall military strategy united_states emphasized ability united_states engage simultaneous limited wars separate fronts ships navy participated number conflicts end cold war diplomatic efforts failed navy instrumental opening phases gulf war iraq ships navy launched hundreds cruise missiles naval aircraft flew sorties carriers red_sea battleships missouri wisconsin fired inch guns time korean war targets kuwait early february hundreds navy marine_corps aircraft flew thousands sorties bases italy carriers adriatic targets serbia try stop ethnic day campaign serbia nato demands result large number command officers fired failing job properly chief naval operations ordered new method selecting command officers navy march reached smallest fleet size ships world war end cold war navy shifted focus preparations large scale war soviet_union special operations strike missions regional conflicts navy participated operation enduring freedom operation iraqi freedom major participant ongoing war terror largely capacity development continues new ships weapons including class aircraft carrier combat ship personnel died iraq war warships launched cruise missiles military targets libya operation odyssey dawn enforce resolution head raised concerns ability respond aggressive moves iran china pivot pacific defense secretary said navy switch split pacific atlantic percent split favored pacific chief naval operations admiral chairman general said mean big influx troops ships pivot continuation trend pacific saw cold war focus soviet_union percent american submarine fleet stationed atlantic shift split coasts percent submarines stationed pacific counter china pivot entirely numbers advanced platforms pacific focus capabilities needed single incident big fleet modest size global missions january iranian armed forces captured united_states_navy personnel boats entered iranian territorial waters coast released day following diplomatic discussions usa iran historiography navy companion american military history vol interwar christopher navy men ships governance companion american military history vol navy companion american military history vol
History of the United States Navy