Missouri (BB 63) - Naval Cruise Book

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(hfl) Master Chief Davidson talks with James Webb, Secretary of the Navy, (below) A veteran of many UNREP ' s, Master Chief Davidson discusses safety procedures with BM3 Gonzales- KiiiL! cplune (Muster Chief DjmJ .w) u,th hi Ro jI court on Wog Dj

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John Davidson BMCM (SW) Command Master Chief Master Chief Boatswain ' s Mate John Davidson joined the Navy in July 1945 in time to serve in World War II. In February 1946, he reported aboard the USS Missouri (BB 63) and made the first historic voyage to Istanbul, Turkey. He then served on USSBegor(APD 127), USS Winston- Agol (AKA 54), USS Cavalier (APA 27), USS George Clymer (APA 27), USS Estes (AGC 11). USS Salisbury Sound (AV 13), USS Austin (LPD 4), USS Tripoli (LPH 10) and re- joined USS Missouri in November 1984. His shore assignments include 7th Fleet Boat Pool; Fleet Training Center, New- port Rhode Island, and Recruit Training Command, San Diego, California. Master Chief Davidson ' s decorations in- clude the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with Two Gold Stars, World War II Victorv Medal, American Campaign .Medal, China Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Kore- an Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Com- mendation, Navy E Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the Humanitar- ian Service Medal. A native of Maiden, Massachusetts, Master Chief Davidson and his wife, Ta- kako, share their home in San Diego, Cali- fornia.

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Commitment There is a special pride a Missouri man feels deep within him when he walks the teakwood decks, pausing for a moment at the site of the Japanese surrender. There is a special sense of history when a Missouri man escorts a visitor — a veter- an. When the stories are told of kamikaze attacks and broadsides and General Mac- Arthur in Tokyo Bay, there is a heartfelt recognition that the Missouri man of the 80 ' s carries within him more than the tra- ditions of the Navy ' s past; he is heir to thai quality which separates the American fighting man from all others: Commit- ment. Commitment to family. Commitment to professionalism. Commitment to pride. And for the bluejacket aboard the world ' s most historic battleship, an over- whelming commitment to peace. Through national commitment to de- fense and security, the Missouri steams toward a promising future of world peace through strength. This commitment is one each crewman carries with him during de- ployment and while home on leave. Commitment is the essence of what be- ing a Missouri sailor is all about. It is what makes thousands and thousands of visitors in ports of call want to come aboard. They come to see and feel the pride that keeps the Missouri legacy intact more than 40 years after her original commissioning. It is the central theme in every conver- sation about Missouri ' s historic past and bright future. This undying commitment is what makes a Mis souri sailor stand out in any crowd.