This Day in Naval History – Sept. 11

1814 - In Battle of Lake Champlain, Commodore Thomas Macdonough defeats a British Squadron.

1939 - Bear (AG-29) is commissioned by the U.S. Navy for Antarctic operations under command of RADM Richard Byrd, USN (Ret.).

1941 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces order to the Navy to "shoot on sight" vessels threatening U.S. shipping or ships under U.S. escort.

1942 - Pharmacist's Mate First Class Wheeler B. Lipes, USN, performs emergency appendectomy on Seaman First Class Darrell D. Rector, USNR, on board USS Seadragon on patrol in South China Sea.

1943 - Italian Navy surrenders to Allies

1945 - Operation Magic Carpet, the return of troops to the U.S., begins.

2001 - American Flight 77 hijacked by terrorists struck the Pentagon. Casualties include 33 sailors, 6 Department of the Navy civilians, and 3 Navy civilian contractors reported missing, Arlington, VA. Two commercial airliners also struck the World Trade Center in New York City, NY, destroying both towers.

2002 - The "Don't Tread on Me" First Navy Jack is flown by Navy ships marking the first anniversary of the terrorists attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center

(Source: Navy News Service)