4
4
0
"25 years ago today (19 April 1989) I was underway in USS Iowa for fleet exercises in the Caribbean. It was a beautiful morning. Standing above and aft the bridge I readied myself for the firing of Turret Two’s 16 inch guns. A moment later, the beauty of the day was lost as the turret suffered a horrific explosion and fire that killed 47 of our shipmates. The takeaways of that day once again illustrate the absolute wonder of our Navy, specifically our Sailors, and the criticality of the job you do.
* The 47 Sailors who died that day are Navy heroes we must always remember with great pride. While time eases pain, it should never erase the memory. These brave and wonderful Sailors were in the turret because duty called. They were in that turret to certify the ship ready for deployment. They were making the ship combat ready. They were at their watch stations
doing their jobs with inspiration, pride, and dedication. They were Sailors, on duty, in the defense of our great nation".
* The 47 Sailors who died that day are Navy heroes we must always remember with great pride. While time eases pain, it should never erase the memory. These brave and wonderful Sailors were in the turret because duty called. They were in that turret to certify the ship ready for deployment. They were making the ship combat ready. They were at their watch stations
doing their jobs with inspiration, pride, and dedication. They were Sailors, on duty, in the defense of our great nation".
Remembering USS Iowa (BB 61)
Posted from stationhypo.comPosted in these groups: 
Military History
Naval/Maritime History
Military History Naval/Maritime History
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 3
1
1
0
0
0
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
"BB-61 USS IOWA
USS Iowa came into service upon her commission in February of 1943. For her first year, she patrolled Atlantic waters and conveyed President Roosevelt on his trip to Casablanca, Morocco in November of that year. Early in 1944, the ship reported to the Pacific Fleet for service. While in the Pacific, USS Iowa participated in several major campaigns including the Marshall Islands, the Marianas, the Palaus, and Leyte. She was part of the Battle of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf as well. After a quick overhaul in early 1945, she went back into action at Okinawa. After the war, she served with the Pacific Fleet until her decommission in March 1949.
The Korean War brought USS Iowa back into the game. After the Navy recommissioned her in August 1951, she joined patrols off the Korean coast as the Seventh Fleet flagship. For the next few years, she made cruises to Europe along with her patrol duties. The Navy again decommissioned her in February 1958. Brought out of retirement, she regained her commission in April 1984. She made several voyages into various waters. On April 19, 1989, a fire in a gun turret took the lives of forty-seven crewmen. The Navy again decommissioned her in October 1990. She remains part of the Reserve Fleet today."
"BB-61 USS IOWA
USS Iowa came into service upon her commission in February of 1943. For her first year, she patrolled Atlantic waters and conveyed President Roosevelt on his trip to Casablanca, Morocco in November of that year. Early in 1944, the ship reported to the Pacific Fleet for service. While in the Pacific, USS Iowa participated in several major campaigns including the Marshall Islands, the Marianas, the Palaus, and Leyte. She was part of the Battle of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf as well. After a quick overhaul in early 1945, she went back into action at Okinawa. After the war, she served with the Pacific Fleet until her decommission in March 1949.
The Korean War brought USS Iowa back into the game. After the Navy recommissioned her in August 1951, she joined patrols off the Korean coast as the Seventh Fleet flagship. For the next few years, she made cruises to Europe along with her patrol duties. The Navy again decommissioned her in February 1958. Brought out of retirement, she regained her commission in April 1984. She made several voyages into various waters. On April 19, 1989, a fire in a gun turret took the lives of forty-seven crewmen. The Navy again decommissioned her in October 1990. She remains part of the Reserve Fleet today."
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I WAS ON CARRIERS but have visited the Texas, Alabama, and the Iowa in the last 6 months
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google