On October 13, 1775, in a radical and extraordinary act of self-determination, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution to formally establish the Continental Navy. 

Almost immediately, the Congress purchased ships and established a naval committee, which quickly took up its immortal place in history.  In the 250 years since, our American story has been infused with seminal naval battles fought by legions of Sailors who safeguarded our liberty with unwavering grit.  In every conflict — from our fight for independence, through two world wars, to battles in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf — the Navy has secured our sovereignty at sea and heroically defended our birthright of freedom against every enemy, big or small.

In November 1781, just weeks after the Patriots’ triumph over British forces at Yorktown, General George Washington penned a letter to a French military officer, in which he stated:  “It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.”