Honoring the Recommissioning Crew | Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pearl Harbor
In 1986, the legendary USS Missouri returned to active service, marking a new chapter in the ship’s extraordinary history. Four decades later, the Battleship Missouri Memorial is proud to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the ship’s recommissioning and honor the sailors who brought the “Mighty Mo” back to life, the dedicated Mighty Mo Sailors known as the Recommissioning Crew.
Now permanently berthed in historic Pearl Harbor, the Battleship Missouri Memorial continues to serve as a powerful symbol of service, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of the U.S. Navy. On May 9 & 10, 2026, we invite members of the Recommissioning Crew to return to the ship they helped restore to greatness for a special day of remembrance, camaraderie, and celebration.
These ships are amazing. The "Wisky" (BB64), now parked in Norfolk, may be easier to get to for those in the east. Not of the historical importance of the Missouri, sister ship USS Wisconsin (official name) was last decommissioned in 1991 and stricken from the records in 2006. Her keel was laid after the Missouri's but was commissioned before. Nicknamed the Wisky because after an accident, the USS Kentucky's bow replaced the Wisconsin's. The Kentucky (would have been BB66) was never finished leaving the Wisconsin the highest numbered battleship. (USS Illinois would have been BB65; also never completed)
ReplyDeleteWas on the Missouri in late March, on our way to Iwo Jima. Also visited the Arizona memorial and the wreck of USS Utah. Also toured the submarine Bowfin, which only reinforced my decision years ago to join the USAF rather than the USN...I don't mind flying over water, but don't want to be on it or under it....
ReplyDeleteI saw the USS New Jersey in dry dock while visiting a friend on a air craft carrier in the next work bay. It was being readied for duty off of the North Vietnam coast. I sure would have liked seeing those 16' gums firing a 2000 pound round into North Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteIn 1968, while I was a US Marine tank commander assigned to an outpost just south of the DMZ and on the coast of the So China Sea, I saw out on the horizon a "good sized" US Navy ship. It turned and a massive fire storm was emitted from its guns. I mean, the fire was a wide as the ship was long. It was the "Jersey" after just coming onto station. What a thrill...!
DeleteI was fortunate enough to spend 30 days on the New Jersey during a WestPac cruise back in the summer of 86 while I was a ROTC midshipman. Was a great experience but convinced me that the Navy wasn’t my calling and switched to a Marine option when I got home. And yes, those 16 inch guns were awesome to see fire from the O-10 level.
DeleteOur company did a "pretend you're a squid for a day" and we did swabbie stuff like chipping and painting and stuff like that.
ReplyDeleteThen we started jumping off the side because who wants to be a sailor and thus ended our day of Sappers playing those-who-have-a-nametag-above-their-ass.
Got to tour the Big Mo on my 35th wedding anniversary (in Hawaii) about 17 years ago, what a monster. EVERYthing about it was big, big, BIG. I got a kick out of the old IBM PC in one of the rooms...
ReplyDeleteI would've loved to see a full broadside on that old girl!!
I’ve never been on a battleship, but I’ve spent the night aboard the Lexington a couple times. Maybe I need to go see the Texas sometime.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how long it would take now to train up a full crew to take a battleship into combat. I’ve seen some documentaries about what it takes just to operate the main batteries. So many skills from tending the power plants, all the different armaments, damage control.
I read a story a few years ago from a Vietnam era marine. After leaving his unit, he spent time stateside handling funerals and family notifications for fallen marines. One situation he related was a request for burial at sea. They had to look up some WWII vets about how to do it. His stories were … unforgettable. I wish I’d kept the URL.
I'd love to go see it, but I'll be dipped if I ever set foot in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteVery graceful looking ship.
ReplyDeleteI toured the Iowa years ago then toured the Missouri and Bowfin last July 4. I also went to the Arizona Memorial but unfortunately, there were so many people I couldn't really appreciate it. My Grandfather served on the New Jersey.
ReplyDeleteThere is also the USS Massachusetts in Fall River, a heavy cruiser but essentially similar to the Iowa class battleships. It's a great experience to visit, the downside is it's in Massachusetts.
ReplyDeleteIf really desperate you can visit the USS Ling submarine in Hackensack, NJ. But again - one would have to travel to New Jersey, on par with Blue taxachusetts.
Was born in the Show Me state, pretty far from any ocean (about 800 miles or so to the Gulf of 'merica). The largest body of moving water in our area was the Missouri River. The largest "ships" on that body of water are grain barges that never would have had work had it not been for the Army Corps of Engineers and their flood control projects.
ReplyDeleteMassachusetts was one of four South Dakota class Battleships.
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