Commander Markle T. Smith was born on April 5, 1910, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1930. His early sea service included duty aboard the USS Louisville from 1930 to 1934 before he was selected for advanced Japanese communications intelligence training in 1934 as a member of the legendary “On-the-Roof” Class 13.
Military service is time spent serving by an individual or group in the armed forces, such as the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, or Space Force whether as a chosen job (volunteer) or because of an involuntary draft (conscription). Service requires an immense understanding and sacrifice, by the members, but more precisely by the family to endure the countless deployments, combat tours, and long hours. I always held the belief that “the military is a great place to start; the duration of your service is a personal choice”. My entire nuclear family (me, my wife, and our four children) not only understood the sacrifice, but embraced the expense and chose military service, particularly the U.S. Navy, as a selected occupation and profession.
Continue reading “Honoring Boswyck Offord, Sr. and His Navy Family – SERVICE – the Family Business”
December 23, 1923 – July 5, 2005
“The worst thing that can happen is death, and that’s not the worst thing in the world either.”
Continue reading “Remembering VADM James B. Stockdale, USN, (Ret.)”
During the height of the Cold War, the United States Navy quietly operated a small fleet of intelligence collection ships that sailed close to the territorial waters of potential adversaries, gathering valuable electronic and communications intelligence. Among the first of these vessels was USS Banner (AKL-25/AGER-1)—a modest cargo ship transformed into one of the Navy’s earliest dedicated signals intelligence (SIGINT) platforms.
Continue reading “USS Banner (AKL-25/AGER-1): America’s First AGER Spy Ship of the Cold War”
George Ray Tweed (July 2, 1902 – January 16, 1989) was a decorated radioman in the United States Navy who served during the World War II. He is most famous for evading of Japanese capture for two years and seven months after the surrendering of U.S Garrison on Guam in 1941.
Continue reading “The Ghost of Guam”
Washington, D.C.-, June 30, 2026
For Immediate Release
Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov
Contact #: 202-225-3465
Washington, D.C.- Today, Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced legislation to honor the men of the USS Liberty. The Massie resolution recognizes the fallen members of the USS Liberty’s crew by name and urges the President to declassify and publicly release all records related to Israel’s unprovoked attack on the ship.
Continue reading “Rep. Massie Introduces House Resolution to Honor the Crew of the USS Liberty”
Station HYPO 