U.S. Navy History ACTUAL UPDATED
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Identify different ways the nation has used naval forces over its history. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Naval forces to protect commerce, strategic deterrence, protecting soldiers,
providing aid and support, airborne support, air superiority, dominance, reconnaissance,
surveillance, intelligence
Explain the evolution of naval warfare from the Continental navy to now. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Intent of shore defense and authorized privateering by small ships. Disbanded
after revolutionary war. Rebuilt during War of 1812 and the Civil War, allowing for greater
responsibilities like troop deployment and blockading. Roosevelt exponentially grew the navy,
making force projection a primary role of the navy, as well as creating the Great White Fleet to
showcase American naval power. It was called the Great White Fleet because the ships were
painted white to demonstrate peace. During the World Wars, commerce protection, air support,
and both air and maritime superiority became center of fleet activities. Cold War changed
primary responsibility to strategic deterrence and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
(ISR). Currently, the focus is on force projection and freedom of navigation enforcement.
Discuss the Naval Strategy of "Guerre de course" (Commerce Raiding) and how/when it has
been used. - CORRECT ANSWER - It is the tactic of destroying or harming merchant
shipping and trade of a county instead of a military blockade. In Revolutionary war against
British, used by US against British. In the Civil War, confederate states had commissioned ships
dedicated to harming Union commerce. In WWI, Germany was mostly using U-Boats against the
Allies. The USN was based out of Brazil and conducted operations to hurt German commerce
and blockade runners. In WW2 we used it against the Japanese.
Associate Mahan and the idea of using a fleet to engage enemy fleets. Summarize his ideas on
the connection between the navy and foreign policy. - CORRECT ANSWER - Associate
Mahan was a great naval officer strategist. Argued that naval operations are chiefly won by
decisive battles and blockades, comparing the British naval success against the French. It shows
mobile dominance and influence. He logically evaluated the impact a strong navy can have on
the geopolitical influence on a nation. He argued that the strength of a nation's navy directly
impacts their ability to make a strong foreign policy. His ideas directly contributed to President
Roosevelt's creation of the great white fleet.
His idea of naval blockades came into play during the Cuban missile crisis and without us having
that naval presence, we would have gone into WW3
, Discuss Admiral Zumwalt and his impact on the surface Navy, and the Navy in general. -
CORRECT ANSWER - Youngest CNO in history. Major role in the Vietnam War.
Published "z-grams", memos that reduced racism/sexism in the Navy and expanded reform
outdated policies that hurt retention rates during the Vietnam War. Pioneered the "high-low"
fleet plan which balanced the high-end nuclear ships with smaller low cost ships, like frigates.
Admiral David Glasgow Farragut was the first person in the USN to _____. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Reach the rank of Admiral
Admiral Farragut coined the term "________" - CORRECT ANSWER - "Damn the
torpedoes, full speed ahead!"
Admiral Farragut took command of his first ship at age ____. - CORRECT ANSWER - 12
Give Admiral Farragut's main contribution to the American Civil War and briefly describe the
Anaconda Plan. - CORRECT ANSWER - Cut off all resources by sending in a naval
blockade.
Who was Admiral Arleigh Burke? - CORRECT ANSWER - Naval Academy Grad, CNO
during Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations, distinguished acts during WWII and the
Korean War, destroyer named in honor
ADM Burke's association with Battle of Cape St. George - CORRECT ANSWER - Battle
of Cape St. George: Pacific Battle of WW2, 5 US Destroyers vs 5 opposing Japanese ships.
Japanese: 3 sunk and 1 critically damaged. US: no loss. Halsey gave him the nickname 31-Knot
Burke because although he thought he wanted to keep his ships at 38 knots, his slowest skip was
only capable of 31 knots.
ADM Burke's association with the Revolt of the Admirals - CORRECT ANSWER -
Revolt of the Admirals: During the Cold War, many active duty ADMs disagreed with POTUS
Truman and SECDEF Johnson in regards to strategic nuclear bombing. Secretary Matthews:
Naval aviation was unnecessary, believed Nimitz and others would agree but they publicly
disagreed. Argument of Disagreement: B-36 bomber needs aerial support since CAPT Burke
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Identify different ways the nation has used naval forces over its history. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Naval forces to protect commerce, strategic deterrence, protecting soldiers,
providing aid and support, airborne support, air superiority, dominance, reconnaissance,
surveillance, intelligence
Explain the evolution of naval warfare from the Continental navy to now. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Intent of shore defense and authorized privateering by small ships. Disbanded
after revolutionary war. Rebuilt during War of 1812 and the Civil War, allowing for greater
responsibilities like troop deployment and blockading. Roosevelt exponentially grew the navy,
making force projection a primary role of the navy, as well as creating the Great White Fleet to
showcase American naval power. It was called the Great White Fleet because the ships were
painted white to demonstrate peace. During the World Wars, commerce protection, air support,
and both air and maritime superiority became center of fleet activities. Cold War changed
primary responsibility to strategic deterrence and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
(ISR). Currently, the focus is on force projection and freedom of navigation enforcement.
Discuss the Naval Strategy of "Guerre de course" (Commerce Raiding) and how/when it has
been used. - CORRECT ANSWER - It is the tactic of destroying or harming merchant
shipping and trade of a county instead of a military blockade. In Revolutionary war against
British, used by US against British. In the Civil War, confederate states had commissioned ships
dedicated to harming Union commerce. In WWI, Germany was mostly using U-Boats against the
Allies. The USN was based out of Brazil and conducted operations to hurt German commerce
and blockade runners. In WW2 we used it against the Japanese.
Associate Mahan and the idea of using a fleet to engage enemy fleets. Summarize his ideas on
the connection between the navy and foreign policy. - CORRECT ANSWER - Associate
Mahan was a great naval officer strategist. Argued that naval operations are chiefly won by
decisive battles and blockades, comparing the British naval success against the French. It shows
mobile dominance and influence. He logically evaluated the impact a strong navy can have on
the geopolitical influence on a nation. He argued that the strength of a nation's navy directly
impacts their ability to make a strong foreign policy. His ideas directly contributed to President
Roosevelt's creation of the great white fleet.
His idea of naval blockades came into play during the Cuban missile crisis and without us having
that naval presence, we would have gone into WW3
, Discuss Admiral Zumwalt and his impact on the surface Navy, and the Navy in general. -
CORRECT ANSWER - Youngest CNO in history. Major role in the Vietnam War.
Published "z-grams", memos that reduced racism/sexism in the Navy and expanded reform
outdated policies that hurt retention rates during the Vietnam War. Pioneered the "high-low"
fleet plan which balanced the high-end nuclear ships with smaller low cost ships, like frigates.
Admiral David Glasgow Farragut was the first person in the USN to _____. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Reach the rank of Admiral
Admiral Farragut coined the term "________" - CORRECT ANSWER - "Damn the
torpedoes, full speed ahead!"
Admiral Farragut took command of his first ship at age ____. - CORRECT ANSWER - 12
Give Admiral Farragut's main contribution to the American Civil War and briefly describe the
Anaconda Plan. - CORRECT ANSWER - Cut off all resources by sending in a naval
blockade.
Who was Admiral Arleigh Burke? - CORRECT ANSWER - Naval Academy Grad, CNO
during Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations, distinguished acts during WWII and the
Korean War, destroyer named in honor
ADM Burke's association with Battle of Cape St. George - CORRECT ANSWER - Battle
of Cape St. George: Pacific Battle of WW2, 5 US Destroyers vs 5 opposing Japanese ships.
Japanese: 3 sunk and 1 critically damaged. US: no loss. Halsey gave him the nickname 31-Knot
Burke because although he thought he wanted to keep his ships at 38 knots, his slowest skip was
only capable of 31 knots.
ADM Burke's association with the Revolt of the Admirals - CORRECT ANSWER -
Revolt of the Admirals: During the Cold War, many active duty ADMs disagreed with POTUS
Truman and SECDEF Johnson in regards to strategic nuclear bombing. Secretary Matthews:
Naval aviation was unnecessary, believed Nimitz and others would agree but they publicly
disagreed. Argument of Disagreement: B-36 bomber needs aerial support since CAPT Burke
