In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we recognize Lt. Susan Ahn Cuddy, the first Asian American woman to join the Navy’s WAVES during WWII, breaking barriers while serving her country in a time of war.

After the Battle of Hampton Roads, USS Monitor —“little ship that saved the nation” — seemed perfect. But this illusion was shattered after the James River Flotilla's defeat at Drewry's Bluff. Lt. William Jeffers wrote a detailed report lodging his complaints about the vessel, from intolerable ventilation to questionable design choices, leading to a harsh rebuke from inventor John Ericsson.