Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command
U.S. Navy photo illustration/Released · Public domain · source
Name	Naval History and Heritage Command
Formed	1944 (as the Naval History Division)
Headquarters	Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
Chief1 name	Rear Admiral Samuel J. Cox
Chief1 position	Director
Parent agency	United States Department of the Navy
Website	https://www.history.navy.mil

Naval History and Heritage Command. The Naval History and Heritage Command is the official history program of the United States Navy and a major component of the United States Department of the Navy. Headquartered at the historic Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., it serves as the institutional memory of the naval service, preserving, analyzing, and disseminating the Navy's rich legacy. Its origins trace to the early 19th century, but it was formally established during World War II to ensure the collection and preservation of vital operational records.

History and establishment

The lineage of the command begins with early efforts by figures like Commodore John Rodgers and the first Historian of the Navy, James Fenimore Cooper. A more formal approach emerged in 1882 with the creation of the Office of Naval Records and Library under Rear Admiral John G. Walker. The critical impetus for its modern establishment came during World War II, when Admiral Ernest J. King directed the formation of the Naval History Division in 1944 to document the vast scope of naval operations in conflicts like the Battle of the Atlantic and the Pacific War. This division evolved through the Cold War, incorporating elements like the Naval Historical Center before being redesignated as the Naval History and Heritage Command in 2008.

Mission and functions

The core mission is to collect, preserve, protect, and present the history and heritage of the United States Navy. Key functions include operating the Navy Department Library, maintaining the Navy's art collection, and managing the Underwater Archaeology Branch. It provides historical support to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard. Furthermore, it oversees the Navy's trophy flag collection and administers the Naval Historical Foundation. A critical duty is the historical analysis of past engagements, from the Battle of Midway to the Gulf War, to inform current strategy and policy.

Organizational structure

The command is led by a Director, currently Rear Admiral Samuel J. Cox, who also serves as the Curator of the Navy. It is organized into several directorates and departments, including the Histories and Archives Directorate, which houses the Navy Archives. The Naval History and Heritage Command detachment at the Washington Navy Yard works closely with the National Museum of the United States Navy. Other significant components are the Navy Art Collection office and the Historic Ships program, which oversees vessels like USS Constitution and USS Nautilus (SSN-571). It also maintains a close relationship with affiliated organizations like the Naval Order of the United States.

Collections and holdings

The command's vast collections are among the world's premier naval archives. They encompass over 200,000 artifacts, including uniforms from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, weapons from the War of 1812, and ship models from the Spanish–American War. The archival holdings include millions of photographs, operational records from the Vietnam War, and the personal papers of figures like Admiral Hyman G. Rickover. The Navy Department Library holds rare books and manuscripts, while the underwater archaeology program manages sites related to CSS Alabama and USS Monitor. The collection also features art depicting events from the Battle of Trafalgar to Operation Desert Storm.

Public programs and outreach

Public engagement is achieved through multiple channels, primarily via its comprehensive website which hosts digital collections and research tools. The command supports the National Museum of the United States Navy and its exhibits on topics from the Barbary Wars to the Space Race. It publishes the quarterly journal, *Naval History*, and the scholarly *International Journal of Naval History*. Outreach includes lectures, historical consultations for films and publications, and educational programs about famous vessels like USS Arizona (BB-39) and USS Missouri (BB-63). It also collaborates with institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the United States Naval Academy.

Notable activities and projects

The command manages several high-profile ongoing projects. These include the meticulous conservation of the iconic USS Constitution, the Navy's oldest commissioned warship. It leads the archaeological survey and documentation of historic shipwrecks, such as the wreck of USS Indianapolis (CA-35) and aircraft from the Battle of the Coral Sea. A major initiative is the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, involving oral histories and public ceremonies. The command also oversees the Navy's Historic Naval Ships Association and coordinates the Navy's contributions to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C..

Category:United States Navy Category:History of the United States Navy Category:Government agencies established in 1944