1863 - During the Civil War, the steam sloop of war USS Iroquois captures the Confederate blockade-runner, Merrimac, off North Carolina. Purchased by the Navy in March 1864, she is converted into a gunboat and commissioned USS Merrimac.
1894 - A party of 50 Marines and Sailors under Marine Corps Capt. George Fielding Elliott, is sent from the cruiser, USS Baltimore (C 3), to guard the American delegation at Seoul, Korea, during the Sino-Japanese War.
1942 - USS Narwhal sinks Japanese guardboat No.83 Shinsei Maru, at Utsutsu Bay, Hokkaido. USS Narwhal also sinks freighters Nissho Maru off Etorofu Maru, Kuril Island, and Kofuji Maru off Oito.
1944 - Task Force 52, commanded by Rear Adm. Harry W. Hill, lands the Fourth Marine Division, commanded Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Harry Schmidt, on Tinian, following a month of naval gunfire and air bombardment. During the invasion, USS Colorado (BB 45) and USS Norman Scott (DD 690) are damaged by Japanese shore batteries. On Aug. 1, the island is declared secure.
1945 - Task Force 38, commanded by Vice Adm. John S. McCain, launches strikes against the Inland Sea area, Japan, bombing Kure Naval Base and airfields at Nagoya, Osaka, and Miho, while sinking five Japanese vessels.
1945 - While escorting a troop convoy from Okinawa to Leyte, USS Underhill (DE-682) is hit and sunk by a Japanese kaiten manned torpedo. Of the 238 men on board only 125 survive.
David Henshaw takes office as the 14th Secretary of the Navy, serving until February 18th, 1844.