Aloha to the USS Missouri - A Legacy of American History

They ain't gonna sink this battleship, no way!

- Old Salt, BATTLESHIP

Yesterday I missed a special anniversary ... on March 31, 1992, the USS Missouri, America's last battleship, retired from active duty during a decomissioning ceremony in Long Beach, CA.

From her website (link),

Born in the midst of World War II, the shipyard workers at Brooklyn’s New York Navy Yard constructed the battleship in time for her launch on January 29, 1944 and commissioning as the USS Missouri on June 11, 1944 with Capt. William M. Callaghan in command.

On September 2, 1945, in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri, representatives of the Allied and Axis powers met in solemn ceremony to “conclude an agreement by which peace can be restored”. General MacArthur concluded the ceremony by saying: “Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world, and that God will preserve it always. These proceeding are closed!” With those words, World War II was over.

On 25 June 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea.  By mid-September USS Missouri was underway off the coast of Korea, armed and ready to support U.N. forces in the "Police Action" that would become known as the Korean War.

At 0140 (1:40 a.m.) on January 17, 1991, USS Missouri was first battleship to fire Tomahawk cruise missile at Iraqi targets as Operation Desert Storm commenced. The USS Missouri then conducted patrol and armistice enforcement operations in the northern Persian Gulf before sailing for home on March 21, 1991.

But the USS Missouri had one final mission to complete. On December 7, 1991, the Missouri returned to the historic waters of Pearl Harbor for the 50th anniversary commemoration of the attack on the Hawaiian Islands. Moored a short distance from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Missouri and Arizona provide a symbolic connection from the “day which will live in infamy” to the formal ending of World War II.

The Mighty Mo is now a floating museum, permanently moored on Ford Island to stand guard over the USS Arizona Memorial. During our four years in Hawaii, my family enjoyed the USS Missouri:

- Scout overnight encampment with my husband (link)

- Scout overnight encampment with moms (link)

- Eagle Scout ceremony (link)

- Special tour for the premiere of BATTLESHIP (link) 

- My husband sang with the Sounds of Aloha aboard the USS Missouri to commemorate the anniversary of the end of World War II.

Have you visited a historic ship, battlefield, or military museum? One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Sunday, April 9, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Monday, April 10.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Old Salts in the movie BATTLESHIP

Remembering Veterans Day

Last year, Veterans Day fell on Tuesday during our weekly scout meeting.  I asked the scouts to bring in something from any family member who served in the military.  The scouts brought a variety of items, including hats, flags, and medals.  One scout brought in a book about Medal of Honor winners, noting his great uncle was featured in the book.  I asked him if we could look at the book at the end of the meeting as I wanted to savor the moment with him.

His great uncle was Paul J. Wiedorfer, a Baltimore native who answered the call of duty.  From Wikipedia (link),

While crossing the Saar River, he was severely wounded February 10, 1945, by a mortar shell that blew up near him; shrapnel broke his left leg, ripped into his stomach, and seriously injured two fingers on his right hand. The soldier next to him died from his wounds and Paul credited that soldier for saving his life. Recent research has discovered the soldier's name to be PFC Milton C Smithers of Huntingdon, New Jersey. Paul was evacuated to the 137th United States Army General Hospital in England where he was placed in traction. While in the hospital a sergeant reading Stars and Stripes asked him how he spelled his name, and then told him he had received the Medal of Honor. Later, on May 29, 1945, Brigadier General Egmont F. Koenig with a band entered the ward to present him with his medal.

His citation reads:

He alone made it possible for his company to advance until its objective was seized. Company G had cleared a wooded area of snipers, and 1 platoon was advancing across an open clearing toward another wood when it was met by heavy machine gun fire from 2 German positions dug in at the edge of the second wood. These positions were flanked by enemy riflemen. The platoon took cover behind a small ridge approximately 40 yards from the enemy position. There was no other available protection and the entire platoon was pinned down by the German fire. It was about noon and the day was clear, but the terrain extremely difficult due to a 3-inch snowfall the night before over ice-covered ground. Pvt. Wiedorfer, realizing that the platoon advance could not continue until the 2 enemy machine gun nests were destroyed, voluntarily charged alone across the slippery open ground with no protecting cover of any kind. Running in a crouched position, under a hail of enemy fire, he slipped and fell in the snow, but quickly rose and continued forward with the enemy concentrating automatic and small-arms fire on him as he advanced. Miraculously escaping injury, Pvt. Wiedorfer reached a point some 10 yards from the first machine gun emplacement and hurled a handgrenade into it. With his rifle he killed the remaining Germans, and, without hesitation, wheeled to the right and attacked the second emplacement. One of the enemy was wounded by his fire and the other 6 immediately surrendered. This heroic action by 1 man enabled the platoon to advance from behind its protecting ridge and continue successfully to reach its objective. A few minutes later, when both the platoon leader and the platoon sergeant were wounded, Pvt. Wiedorfer assumed command of the platoon, leading it forward with inspired energy until the mission was accomplished.

I am honored to know the Wiedorfer family - I thank them for Paul's service along with the millions of other veterans who give us the freedom we enjoy today.

Mahalo, 

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Meet other Medal of Honor winners at this link.

Celebrate Little Victories - USA Today's HEA Blog, RT Recap, and Scouts Remember

I am grateful to Joyce Lamb at USA Today's HEA Blog for publishing several posts I coordinated in celebration of Military Appreciation Month:

"Brats" share their memories: link

Spouses share their stories: link

Veterans share Their Memories:  link

Look for one more post on Wednesday, May 28.

Tracy Solheim, who shared her memory as a "brat", also writes about Military Appreciation Month at this link.

Mary Kennedy shares her thoughts of "books on the battlefield" at this link - I'm quoted!

I am also grateful for the opportunity to attend the RT Booklovers' Convention in New Orleans - I posted recaps on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND:

Day 1:  French Quarter link

Day 2:  Book Blogger Conference link

Day 3:  Welcome Party and Club RT link

Day 4:  Meeting Authors in Club RT link

Day 4:  Kensington Book Signing link

Day 4:  Bayona Dinner, Pub Crawl, and Samhain Party link

Day 5: Avon Krewe Book Signing link

Look for more posts about the Giant Book Fair and SOS America Military Tribute at ALOHA ON MY MIND.

Mahalo to Troop 424 for remembering the veterans in the Savage Cemetary.  Lest we never forget.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City