Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command
U.S. Navy photo illustration/Released · Public domain · source
Agency name	Naval History and Heritage Command
Formed	1800
Jurisdiction	United States Department of the Navy
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.

Naval History and Heritage Command. The Naval History and Heritage Command is an U.S. Navy organization that preserves and promotes the U.S. naval history and heritage, with a focus on World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The command is led by a director, who is a senior U.S. Navy officer, and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., near the National Mall and the United States Navy Memorial. The command works closely with other organizations, including the National Archives and Records Administration, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution, to collect, preserve, and make available historical records and artifacts related to the U.S. Navy and its history.

● Overview

The Naval History and Heritage Command is responsible for collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of the U.S. Navy, from its origins in the American Revolutionary War to the present day, including the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and the Spanish-American War. The command's collections include millions of documents, photographs, and artifacts, including the USS Constitution, the USS Monitor, and the USS Arizona, as well as personal papers and memorabilia of famous naval officers, such as John Paul Jones, Stephen Decatur, and Chester Nimitz. The command also maintains a large collection of U.S. Navy ships' logs, including those of the USS Enterprise, the USS Nimitz, and the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which provide valuable insights into the operations and activities of the U.S. Navy throughout its history. Additionally, the command collaborates with other institutions, such as the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, and the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, New South Wales, to promote the study and understanding of naval history.

● History

The Naval History and Heritage Command was established in 1800, as the U.S. Navy's first official historian, with the appointment of Benjamin Stoddert, the first United States Secretary of the Navy, who played a key role in the Quasi-War with France. Over the years, the command has undergone several reorganizations and name changes, including its establishment as the Office of Naval Records and Library in 1882, and its redesignation as the Naval Historical Center in 1971, during the tenure of Elmo Zumwalt, the Chief of Naval Operations. The command has been led by several notable directors, including Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, and Rear Admiral John D. Hayes, a distinguished naval historian and United States Naval Academy graduate. The command has also worked closely with other organizations, such as the National Park Service, the United States Army Center of Military History, and the United States Air Force Historical Research Agency, to promote the study and understanding of military history.

● Organization

The Naval History and Heritage Command is organized into several departments, including the Naval History Division, the Navy Department Library, and the Curator Branch, which are responsible for collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of the U.S. Navy. The command is also home to the Naval Aviation History Division, which is dedicated to the study and preservation of U.S. naval aviation history, including the Battle of Midway and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. The command's staff includes historians, archivists, curators, and other professionals, who work together to promote the understanding and appreciation of U.S. Navy history, in collaboration with institutions such as the United States Naval Institute, the Naval Historical Foundation, and the Marine Corps History Division. The command is also supported by a number of U.S. Navy personnel, including U.S. Navy officers, enlisted personnel, and civilians, who provide administrative, technical, and logistical support.

● Museums and Collections

The Naval History and Heritage Command operates several museums and collections, including the National Museum of the United States Navy, the United States Navy Museum, and the Naval Historical Center Museum, which showcase the history and heritage of the U.S. Navy. The command's collections include a wide range of artifacts, including U.S. Navy ships' models, uniforms, and equipment, as well as personal items and memorabilia of famous naval officers, such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford. The command also maintains a large collection of U.S. Navy aircraft, including the Grumman F4F Wildcat, the Douglas SBD Dauntless, and the North American P-51 Mustang, which are on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. Additionally, the command collaborates with other institutions, such as the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the United States Army Ordnance Museum, to promote the study and understanding of military history and technology.

● Education and Outreach

The Naval History and Heritage Command offers a range of educational programs and resources, including lectures, workshops, and exhibitions, which are designed to promote the understanding and appreciation of U.S. Navy history. The command also provides support for U.S. Navy personnel and their families, including U.S. Navy veterans, through its Navy Department Library and its Curator Branch. The command's education and outreach programs are designed to reach a wide range of audiences, including students, teachers, and the general public, and are delivered in partnership with other organizations, such as the National Maritime Museum and the United States Naval Academy Museum. The command also participates in a number of events and ceremonies, including the Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and the Pearl Harbor commemoration ceremony, to promote the understanding and appreciation of U.S. Navy history and heritage.

● Preservation and Research

The Naval History and Heritage Command is responsible for preserving and making available the historical records and artifacts of the U.S. Navy, including U.S. Navy ships' logs, personnel records, and other documents. The command's preservation and research programs are designed to support the study and understanding of U.S. Navy history, and are delivered in partnership with other organizations, such as the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress. The command's researchers and historians work closely with other institutions, including the United States Army Center of Military History and the United States Air Force Historical Research Agency, to promote the study and understanding of military history. The command also provides support for U.S. Navy personnel and their families, including U.S. Navy veterans, through its Navy Department Library and its Curator Branch, and collaborates with institutions such as the United States Naval Institute and the Naval Historical Foundation to promote the understanding and appreciation of U.S. Navy history and heritage.