Station HYPO

By Captain Laurance F. Safford
Editor’s note: The following account was written in 1944

The Battle of Midway (3-8 June 1942) was fought as a sea-battle rather than an amphibious operation because of information furnished by the Communications Intelligence Organization in April and May, 1942. Commander J.J. Rochefort was in command of the Mid-Pacific C.I. net with headquarters at Pearl Harbor, and is entitled to the principal credit (but not the sole credit) for furnishing CincPac timely and accurate knowledge of the Japanese plans and intentions.

During the tense decades of the Cold War, the U.S. Navy maintained a vigilant presence off the coast of Tsingtao (now Qingdao), China, from the late 1950s through the early 1960s. This strategic deployment was part of a broader effort to contain communist expansion in East Asia, protect American allies, gather intelligence, and assert the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters.

A recently launched Russian satellite has drawn attention for its unusual orbit near a U.S. government satellite. 

Updated: May 31, 2025 04:07 AM EST

In an increasingly contested orbital domain, a recent series of maneuvers by a Russian satellite near a critical U.S. government asset has significantly heightened international concerns.

At 5′ 2″ 105 lbs, Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt. John F. Baker Jr. certainly qualifies as a Giant Killer. He was also the recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.

Sgt. Baker made up for his diminutive stature by building up his physique. Inspired by his father’s work as a circus trapeze artist, he joined a gymnastics squad in high school and trained on the rings, learning to execute a perfect iron cross.

An Admiral at the Pentagon did not like the relaxed grooming standards enjoyed by SEALs. He told Marcinko he was coming down for a personal inspection.  Marcinko directed his men to wear their dress uniforms with medals.  Mike Thornton was the first man in line. He was wearing the Medal of Honor.  At that time, Thornton was a Petty Officer. Years later, he retired as a Lieutenant.  As soon as he entered, the O-8 saw Thornton. The Admiral saluted the Petty Officer.  Flag Officers are smart. He knew immediately he had been set up. He called Marcinko aside and said: You are one clever SOB!  The Admiral returned to the Pentagon. Grooming standards at SEAL Team 6 remained unchanged.

Citation