Naval History and Heritage Command

During the American Revolution, the Continental sloop Ranger, commanded by Capt. John Paul Jones, departs for France carrying dispatches British Gen. John Burgoyne's surrender in the Saratoga, N.Y., campaign. The news helps solidify Frances support of the patriots. During the voyage, Ranger captures two British prizes, Mary and George, and sends them to France.

The "Mosquito Fleet", commanded by Lt. Cmdr. J. T. McLaughlin, carries 750 Sailors and Marines into the Everglades to fight the Seminole Indians.

CSS Chickamauga, commanded by Lt. John Wilkinson, captures schooners Goodspeed and Otter Rock off the northeast coast of the United States.

President Franklin D. Roosevelts Executive Order 8929 transfers the U.S. Coast Guard to Navy Department control for the duration of a national emergency in order to perform anti-submarine patrols and escort high-value convoys.

USS Borie (DD 215) rams and sinks the German submarine U-405 in the Atlantic. As a result from the ramming, she is so badly damaged that she is scuttled the following day after a failed attempt to tow her to port. Twenty-seven crewmen lose their lives in this engagement.

USS Blackfin (SS 322) attacks a Japanese convoy and sinks auxiliary vessel Caroline Maru and transport No.12 Unkai Maru in Mindoro Strait. Meanwhile, USS Ray (SS 271) sinks the Japanese merchant tanker No.7 Horai Maru and lands a party of three men, together with two tons of supplies, at Mamburao on the west coast of Mindoro.

During the Korean War, USS Vammen (DE 644) is taken under fire by an estimated 105 mm gun in the vicinity of Sinuong. One man is wounded by a shell fragment, but there is no material damage.