Today in U.S. Naval History – December 20

1822 – Congress authorizes the 14-ship West Indies Squadron to suppress piracy in the Caribbean.

1941 – Admiral Ernest J. King designated Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet in charge of all operating naval fleets and coastal frontier forces, reporting directly to the President.

1964 – USS Richard E. Kraus (DD-849) completes a successful emergency mission in aiding the disabled American Merchant Ship, SS Oceanic Spray in the Red Sea.

1974 – Clearance of Suez Canal for mines and unexploded ordnance completed by Joint Task Force.

1989 – Operation Just Cause begins in Panama.

1998 – Operation Desert Fox in Iraq ends.

For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.