Missouri (BB 63) - Naval Cruise Book

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(Above) The Iowa-class battleships in line abreast lormaiion sicam over the sea on June I l-J 4 The ships are L SS lotva. nearest the eamera. L S e« Jerse). USS Missouri, and USS Wisconsin. (Below) On the fourth anniversary of VJ. Day. personnel took part in a USS Missouri ceremony in 1949.

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During the Korean Conflict, USS Missouri fires a salvo of l6-incfi sheiis from Turret 2 at enemy forces at Chong Jim, Sorth Korea on October 21. The honors and receptions continued wherever she put into port - Athens, Tan- giers, Naples. In Rome, Pope Pius XII postponed his Easter Sunday public audi- ence for a special meeting with 400 crew- members because our American sons have come to see us on Easter Sunday and we want to fulfill their wish. Missouri ' s next venture into the spot- light occurred when she became the float- ing White House. On the second anni- versary of Surrender Day , the Truman family came aboard in Rio de Janeiro for a trip back to the United States following the Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Hemisphere Peace and Security. While anchored in Rio the ship ' s com- pany took part in the Brazilian Indepen- dence Day celebrations with Missouri ' s entire detachment of Marines and two di- visions of sailors leading the parade. During the parade we stood at atten- tion in the reviewing stand while what seemed like the entire Brazilian Army marched by for four and a half hours, reminisced Margaret Truman. It was a beautiful, even a spectacular show, and the military music was magnificent. On the cruise to the U.S.. the Truman family and White House staffers took part in a traditional ceremony that finds its roots in the longboats of the Vikings - the special initiation for the crossing of the Equator. When Ruffles and Flourishes arc sounded for the President of the United States, he ' s entitled to four ruffles. The Royal Visitor on that occasion received six ruffles, and a one-gun salute. Thus, on the fantail of the USS Missou- ri, the President of the United States be- came the nation ' s Number 1 pollywog, who along with his family and staff was answerable to for annual Midshipman Practice Cruises during the summer sea- sons. During these periods at sea, the Mid- shipmen experienced hands-on training and much of their time was devoted to simulated battle conditions. Additionally. Naval diplomacy was practiced with great success during port calls to Greece. Alge- ria. France, Portugal, Great Britain and Cuba. In 1950 Missouri found herself the onl battleship in commission when she was again called into combat in support of the United Nations forces in Korea. Serving two combat deployments between 1950, and 1953, she earned five additional battle stars in numerous gunfire support missions including the Inchon invasion.

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The battleship begins its Journey to modernization under tow by salvage ship USS Beaufort from the mothball fleet in Bremerton. Washington, where the Mighty fo had been since Feb- ruary 26. 1955. l. b,nci the b.mlc hip hc.ids lor r c.icn .iii. re still guarding against the viL-jf j six twin-mount five-inch guns is lifted for pL scaffolding.