Nuclear power was the long-awaited propulsion
source for the submarine. It turned the submersible
surface ship into a true submarine, capable of almost
indefinite operation. It was no longer bound to the
earth’s atmosphere.
In September 1947, Captain H. G. Rickover
informally requested the first study of the application of
a high-pressure, water-cooled reactor for a submarine.
Personnel of the Daniels Pile Division at Oak Ridge,
Tennessee, undertook that study.
In January 1948, the Department of Defense
requested that the Atomic Energy Commission
undertake the design, development, and construction of
a nuclear reactor that would propel a naval submarine.
In December 1948, the Commission contracted the
Westinghouse Electric Corporation to develop design,
construct, operate, and test a prototype nuclear
propulsion plant. The outcome of those efforts was USS
Nautilus.
REVIEW 5 QUESTIONS
Q1. What was the significance of the Battle of Coral
Sea?
Q2. List the other major naval battles in the Pacific
during World War II and describe their
significance.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Q3. Describe the role of the U.S. Navy in the Atlantic
Ocean during World War II.
Q4. The shape of the Navy changed during World
War II because of new ships introduced during
this period. List some of the types of ships that
were introduced during this period.
Q5. What is the significance of the date 30 July 1943?
Q6. What is the significance of the Women’s Armed
Services Integration Act?
THE NAVY FROM 1950 TO 1990s
Learning Objective: When you finish this chapter, you
will be able to—
Recognize the roles and responsibilities of the
Navy from 1950 to 1990 to include the Korean
Conflict, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf.
5-24
Student Notes:
