This Day in Naval History - April 01

From the Navy News Service

1893 - Navy General Order 409 of Feb. 25, 1893, establishes the rate of "chief petty officer".

1942 - The first Naval Air Transportation Service (NATS) squadron for Pacific operations is commissioned.

1945 - More than 1,200 Navy ships and Army troops begin invasion of Okinawa.

1966 - U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam established as a command.

1967 - Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3 is activated at Vung Tau.