This Day in Naval History - July 12

1836 - Commissioning of Charles H. Haswell as first regularly appointed engineer officer.

1916 - North Carolina is first Navy ship to carry and operate aircraft.

1921 - Congress creates Bureau of Aeronautics to be in charge of all matter pertaining to naval aeronautics.

1951 - Ninth Naval District forces assist in flood relief work in Kansas City through July 20.

1953 - United Nations Fleet launches heavy air and sea attack on Wonsan; Marine Maj. John Bolt becomes first jet ace in Marine Corps.

1988 - SECDEF approves opening Navy's Underwater Construction Teams, fleet oiler, ammunition ships and combat stores ships to women.

1990 - Cmdr. Rosemary Mariner becomes first woman to command an operational aviation squadron (VAQ-34).

For more information on naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.