“To those who wish us harm, make no mistake: even with the challenges that this disease has brought to our shores, the Department of Defense stands ready to meet any threat and defend our nation.”
On Aug. 18, 1838, the Exploring Expedition led by Navy Lt. Charles Wilkes embarked on a world cruise of scientific discovery. He fit well into a class of armed scientists, military naturalists who rose to prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The U.S. Navy was the best-prepared and best-equipped of all the country’s armed forces. For many years, it had been focusing much of its energy on preparing for a surface naval confrontation with Germany.
By David Longenbach, Pennsylvania State University