A collection of 20 biographical essays tracing the history of the US Navy from the War for Independence to the postnuclear present through the stories of officers who helped forge its tradition. The contributing historians portray subjects based on a selection criteria focused on individuals who set precedents, reached particular heights of achievement, or had careers reflecting the main currents of naval development. Among the officers profiled are Esek Hopkins, John Paul Jones, David Glasgow Farragut, Chester Nimitz, William Halsey, and Elmo Zumwalt. Includes portrait photographs. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.