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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Missouri (BB-63), Activities & Actions, 1954-55

This page features views of USS Missouri's activities during 1954-55, her last year of active service until the 1980s.
During June and July 1954, Missouri made a final Naval Academy Midshipmen training cruise to Europe, briefly exercising with her three sister ships at the start of the voyage. On 23 August, she departed Norfolk, Virginia, en route to the Pacific via the Panama Canal. After visiting several west coast ports, she arrived at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, for inactivation. Missouri decommissioned there on 26 February 1955, the start of nearly three decades in "mothballs".

For links to further picture coverage on USS Missouri, see the ship's cover page: USS Missouri, Selected Views.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: 80-G-638938

Battleship Division Two


In line abreast formation, 7 June 1954, in the Virginia Capes operating area, on the only occasion that all four Iowa class battleships were photographed operating together.
Ship closest to the camera is USS Iowa (BB-61).
The others are (from near to far):
USS Wisconsin (BB-64);
USS Missouri (BB-63) and
USS New Jersey (BB-62).
.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 600 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-638966

Battleship Division Two


Steaming in column, 7 June 1954, in the Virginia Capes operating area, on the only occasion that all four Iowa class battleships were photographed operating together.
Ship leading the column is USS Wisconsin (BB-64).
The others are (in no particular order):
USS Iowa (BB-61);
USS New Jersey (BB-62) and
USS Missouri (BB-63).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 600 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: NH 96791

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Steams away from Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia, 23 August 1954, en route to Bremerton, Washington, to be decommissioned.
Sailors and Navy families are watching her departure from the fantail of USS Iowa (BB-61).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 96792

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Ship's ensign is hauled down by Seaman Carl Dewesse, during her decommissioning ceremonies, at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, 26 February 1955. Firecontrolman Apprentice Lynn Jex is assisting.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 109KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 

Photo #: 80-G-659069

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Captain Karl Poehlmann, Commander of the Bremerton Group of the Pacific Reserve Fleet, accepts Missouri into his custody, during decommissioning ceremonies at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, 26 February 1955.
Missouri's Commanding Officer, Captain James R. North, is in the center, holding her final commissioning pennant.
At left the ship's Executive Officer, Commander William Davis.
Rear Admiral Homer N. Wallin, Commander of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, is between Commander Davis and Captain North.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 80KB; 595 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

For links to further picture coverage on USS Missouri, see the ship's cover page: USS Missouri, Selected Views.

Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

23 January 1999