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The US Navy Seal features a tri-mast square-rigged ship under way before a fair breeze with after top-sail furled, commission pennant atop the foremast, National Ensign atop the main, and the commodore’s flag atop the mizzen. The seal design was approved by the President of the United States, October 23, 1957.

John Paul Jones, one of the American navy’s first heroes. He famously said, “I have not yet begun to fight!” when, badly damaged after a furious four-hour engagement with HMS Serapis, he was asked if he was surrendering.

Thomas Truxtun was appointed captain in the United States Navy in 1794, and during the Quasi-War with France was in command of the USS Constellation. He was promoted to commodore and met with considerable success. His victories, most notably that over the French vessel L’Insurgente, made Truxtun a hero of the time.

USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) under sail for the first time in over a century, on July 21, 1997. As a fully commissioned US Navy ship, her crew of 60 officers and sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programmes and special events while keeping the ship open to visitors year-round. The officers and crew are all active-duty US Navy personnel. She is berthed at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston.

Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper was a pioneering computer scientist and United States Naval officer. She is credited with popularizing the term “debugging” for fixing computer glitches. Because of the breadth of her accomplishments, she is sometimes referred to as “Amazing Grace”. The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Hopper was named for her.

The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, educates and commissions officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Established in 1845, it is often referred to simply as “Annapolis”. The academy’s motto is Ex Scientia Tridens – “from knowledge, seapower”.

U.S. Navy ships steam in formation during Exercise Valiant Shield 2006.

Sailors man the rails on the flight deck as USS Washington returns to her homeport in Norfolk.

Twenty-five Marine War Dogs gave their lives liberating Guam in 1944. They served as sentries, messengers, scouts and explored caves, detected mines and booby traps. Their names are inscribed at the War Dog Cemetery monument at the Guam naval base: Kurt, Yonnie, Koko, Bunkie, Skipper, Poncho, Tubby, Hobo Ni, Prince, Fritz, Emmy, Missy, Cappy, Duke, Max, Blitz, Arno, Silver, Brockie, Bursch, Pepper, Ludwig, Rickey, Tam.

The U.S. Navy’s SEa, Air, and Land (SEAL) Teams (commonly known as the Navy SEALs), along with Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC), compose the Special Operations Forces of the United States Navy, who are employed in direct action and special reconnaissance operations. SEALs are also capable of undertaking unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and other missions.

A “Sea Knight” from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Six transfers cargo from USS John F. Kennedy to USS George Washington as the two Battle Groups conduct a vertrep (vertical replenishment) during turnover.