Claire Barrett
Claire Barrett is an editor and military history correspondent for Military Times. She is also a World War II researcher with an unparalleled affinity for Sir Winston Churchill and Michigan football.
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All Stories By Claire
‘Hell ship’ responsible for one of the largest single-day loss of Allied POWs discovered after more than 80 years
More than 80 years after its sinking, buried documents in both the American and Japanese archives held the key to locating the "hell ship” Hōfuku Maru.
Vietnam War hero of Dong Ha Bridge to be awarded the Medal of Honor
President Donald Trump is set to posthumously award Marine Col. John Ripley the Medal of Honor on June 18 in a White House ceremony.
Senate, House defense bills seek to prevent renaming of US Navy vessels
A section of the FY27 NDAA includes a provision that the Navy secretary may only change the name of a ship with the consent of the Senate.
Congress seeks to limit US Navy vessels built in foreign shipyards
The Senate Armed Services Committee seeks to strip the waiver authority granted to the president to approve offshore ship construction.
Navy officer, 67, becomes oldest on record to earn Fleet Marine Force pin
Watching his son graduate as a U.S. Navy officer inspired Westerberg in 2022 — at the age of 64 — to also pursue a commission in the sea service.
Navy ‘in a fight for the narrative’: Hung Cao presses service to unify public messaging
The secretary of the Navy’s announcement comes as tensions mount between U.S. media and the second Trump administration.
Last living USS Indianapolis survivor turns 99
Harold Bray is the last living survivor from the greatest loss of life at sea in American military history.
Navy recognizes USS Carl Vinson with Battle ‘E’ award
The aircraft carrier returned to port in August 2025 after a nine-month deployment covering over 275,000 nautical miles.
