The U.S. Navy grew tremendously as the United States was faced with a two-front war on the seas. It achieved notable acclaim in the Pacific Theater, where it was instrumental to the Allies' successful "island hopping" campaign. The U.S. Navy participated in many significant battles, including the Battle of Midway. By 1943, the Navy's size was larger than the combined fleets of all the other combatant nations in WWII.
The decisive role played by the Silent Service during WW II is often overlooked, or the significance of their contribution is not fully understood. Fifty-two U.S. submarines were lost during WWII with the loss of over 3,500 men.
