Eric Wertheim is a defense consultant, columnist, and author specializing in naval and maritime affairs. Frequently interviewed by the news media, he has served as a speechwriter for Pentagon officials and a consultant to private industry and the U.S. government. He has been a columnist for Proceedings magazine since 1994. He lives in the Washington D.C. area.

Articles by Eric Wertheim

Starboard bow view of U.S.S. Ellet (DD-398) in Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. in Kearny, New Jersey.

USS Ellet (DD-398)

By Eric Wertheim
August 2000
The destroyer USS Ellet (DD-398), named for five members of a Pennsylvania family who served in the Civil War, was built by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and launched ...
Starboard bow view of the USS Golden City (AP-169), probably entering San Francisco Bay ca. 1946

USS Golden City (AP-169)

By Eric Wertheim
June 2000
The transport Golden City (AP-169) was built by Moore Drydock Company of Oakland, California, under a Maritime Commission contract and commissioned into service in the U.S. Navy on 29 May ...
USS Flusser (DD-368) underway off the coast of Mare Island

USS Flusser (DD-368)

By Eric Wertheim
April 2000
Named for Lieutenant Commander C. W. Flusser, a naval officer killed during the Civil War, the Mahan (DD-364)-class destroyer USS Flusser (DD-368) was the fourth U.S. Navy warship to bear ...
Port bow view of USS Sea Cat (SS-399) underway at sea.

USS Sea Cat (SS-399/AGSS-399)

By Eric Wertheim
February 2000
The USS Sea Cat (SS-399) was a Balao-class submarine built by the Portsmouth Navy Yard and commissioned on 16 May 1944. Following a shakedown cruise, the Sea Cat traveled ...
erial stern view of USS Honolulu (CL-48) underway at sea.

USS Honolulu (CL-48)

By Eric Wertheim
October 1999
Launched on 26 August 1937, the Brooklyn-class light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48) was the second U.S. warship to bear that name. The Honolulu was moored at Pearl Harbor Naval ...
USS New York (BB-34) after Baker test and survey.

USS New York (BB-34)

By Eric Wertheim
August 1999
The USS New York (BB-34) was the fifth U.S. warship to bear that name. Launched on 30 October 1912, the battleship was commissioned on 15 April 1914 with an armament ...
Starboard view of the USS Simpson (DD-220)

USS Simpson (DD-221)

By Eric Wertheim
June 1999
Named for Rear Admiral Edward Simpson, a Civil War-era naval hero, the USS Simpson (DD-221) was commissioned on 3 November 1920. From June 1922 through February 1924, the Simpson served ...
USS Perch (SS-176) cruising on the surface

USS Perch (SS-176)

By Eric Wertheim
April 1999
The USS Perch (SS-176) was a Porpoise (SS-172)-class submarine commissioned on 19 November 1936. In 1939, the Perch sailed for the Philippines and became a division flagship. In the summer ...
USS Herndon (DD-638) at rest in the Norfolk Navy Yard.

USS Herndon (DD-638)

By Eric Wertheim
December 1998
The second U.S. Navy ship named Herndon (DD-638) was launched on 2 February and commissioned on 20 December 1942. The Herndon began war duties escorting a convoy from New York ...
USS Morris (DD-417) at anchor off Mare Island, California.

USS Morris (DD-417)

By Eric Wertheim
October 1998
The destroyer USS Morris (DD-417) was the seventh Morris to serve with U.S. naval forces. Built by Norfolk Navy Yard, she was launched on 1 June 1939 and commissioned on ...
USS Sirago (SS-485) underway in Hampton Roads, VA.

USS Sirago (SS-485)

By Eric Wertheim
June 1998
The USS Sirago, a Tench-class submarine, was commissioned on Aug 13, 1945. The history of the submarine's service, which ended on Jun 1, 1972, is discussed.
USS New Orleans (CA-32) at Mare Island in 1945

USS New Orleans (CA-32)

By Eric Wertheim
April 1998
The cruiser USS New Orleans (CA-32) was built at the New York Navy Yard and launched on 12 April 1933. She was commissioned on 15 February 1934. On 5 July ...