Historian describes how navy's past informs present

On October 13 of this year, the U.S. Navy celebrates its 250th birthday, and a naval historian described for American Legion Post 20 on Wednesday how that history informs the present.

Dale Eng, outreach program manager with the Naval History and Heritage Command, said part of his organization's role involves helping guide current officers in historical lessons learned. "We are the resource that people come to when something happens and people want to know the historical context," he said.

Eng noted that potential adversaries are doing the same thing. "The Chinese are very interested in the hard lessons the Japanese learned from Midway," he said, noting that the Battle of Midway, fought from June 4-7, 1942, brought a decisive defeat for Japanese forces during World War II.

A number of activities will mark the Navy's 250th birthday, Eng said including exhibits at 10 Navy museums across the country, information displayed on more than 60 historic ships, and artifacts and artwork loaned to all 50 states and several countries.

The Navy hopes to break ground on a new national Navy museum within two years, Eng said. The new museum is to be located outside the gate of the Washington Navy Yard, which will make it easier for civilians to visit.

In response to questions about the removal of historical information from Department of Defense websites regarding women and minorities, Eng said the Navy plans to bring information back on line in accordance with Defense Department policy.

Post 20 has been affiliated with the National Press Club for more than a century. The post was founded at the suggestion of famed World War I General John J. Pershing, who was an associate member of the Press Club at the time.