1911 - The first U.S. Navy ship, USS California (Armored Cruiser No. 6), enters Pearl Harbor after it was made into a naval base.
1942 - Pharmacist's Mate First Class Harry B. Roby performs an appendectomy on Torpedoman First Class W. R. Jones on board USS Grayback (SS 208). It is the second appendectomy performed on board a submarine.
1944 - The rank of Fleet Admiral (five-star admiral) of the U.S. Navy is established during World War II due to the rapid build-up of U.S. military forces. The first five-star admirals are: William D. Leahy, Ernest J. King, and Chester W. Nimitz. Adm. William F. Halsey joined the selected group Dec. 11, 1945.
1944 - Task Force 38 aircraft begins the attack on Japanese transport Oryoku Maru which, unbeknownst to the Task Force, is carrying approximately 1,600 Allied prisoners of war. The following day, the ship is sunk at Subic Bay.