June 2015 Volume 18 Issue 2 Official Newsletter of the USS EAG-128

Special Points of Interest

Mississippi Pirate  Paul Shepley’s Message

 History of USS Mississippi taken from The Pirate 1951

 Welcome Mat & Taps

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Hi Shipmates, a visit to the Carter Center. Maybe, Pam and I are dis- just maybe, President Carter will be at appointed that Presi- the Center during our visit. Shipmates, dent Jimmy Carter the Pirate will soon need money for turned down our invi- future printings so I would like to re- tation to attend our mind you'all to bring some exciting banquet celebrating items for our annual auction. I wish all 2015 USS MISSISSIPPI the 2015 reunion of my shipmates good health. We look REUNION the USS Mississip- forward to a successful Atlanta Reun- pi EAG -128. Howev- ion. er, one of the venues on this reunion is ATLANTA, GA Paul Shepley OCT. 15-18

Taken from THE PIRATE Vol. X. No. 35 Holiday Inn Atlanta 17 November 1951 Perimeter Hotel

USS Mississippi (EAG 128)

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of the complete color- give these two old veterans a closer look. ful history of the MISSISSIPPI. The second and succeeding The first MISSISSIPPI was a combination sail and series of articles will appear each week in THE PIRATE. steam-powered ship. It had three masts from which to unfurl the sails whenever the wind was willing, and two paddlewheels if it was not. The vessel weighed OUR SHIP, the U.S.S. Mississippi, is not the first ship-of- 1,692 tons, and held ten enormous pivot shellfirers—a the-line to bear that name—not by a long shot! In fact, there mighty good friend to have around in 1840, when she have been two others before ours that have also helped to was designed. A third larger than “Old Ironsides”, the give American history and the American nation the high place first “Missy” took over the distinction of being the most in the world they now have. These other two ships, small and celebrated dreadnought of her day. weak as they are in comparison to our present MISSISSIPPI, All the world knew her name, for she was the back- were, nevertheless, powerful forces for peace in their day, bone of one of the most famous naval missions of all and shining examples of America’s determination to protect time—Commodore Perry’s cruise to Japan in 1853 her people with the best of everything, including ships. that opened Japan’s ports and harbors to the trade of The first two MISSISSIPPI’s have a name and a naval tra- all the world. dition in common with our ship, and as such they are the di- (Continued on page 2) rect ancestors of our ship. So maybe it would be interesting to Page 2 Mississippi Pirate Volume 18 Issue 2

(Continued from page 1) In April of 1862 the ship participated in operations against the forts below New Orleans in an effort to save a tottering Union. She came through un- scathed, only to be destroyed by fire in the battle of Port Hudson the follow- ing year. The second vessel named MISSISSIPPI was No. 23, of 13,000 tons . She was authorized by act of Congress dated 3 March MAIL CALL 1908, and launched on the 30th of September 1905, before an audience that included Admiral Dewey and a Japanese prince. After a short but honorable USS Mississippi Pirate, career with the Fleet, the second in line of this floating dynasty was sold to This is to inform you that Orlan G. Greece shortly before , where she is still in service. Best passed away on March 17th The keel of her successor, the USS Mississippi (BB-41), was laid on 5 2015. April 1915, at the Newport Besides being on the Mississippi, News Shipbuilding Company he spent a number of years on de- in Virginia. The completed stroyers. ship was launched on the He is survived by two daughters, 25th of January, 1917, with three sons and several grandchildren, Miss Camille McBeath, six great grandchildren. He was very daughter of the Chairman of proud of all of them. the Mississippi State High- He is now spending his time with way Commission, serving as the Lord. sponsor. Orlan served on the Mississippi from Dec. 1948 to somewhere in Commissioned on 18 1952. December 1917, the USS Mississippi, became the Mrs. Twila Best mightiest single element of 752 Shelvey Summit Rd American sea power at that Kersey, PA 15846 time. ______

To be continued in the Sep- tember issue

Financial Statement

WELCOME MAT TAPS

The USS MISSISSIPPI Associ- The Pirate has learned of the fol- Balance after 10/14 $498.09 ation cordially welcomes the fol- lowing shipmate’s death since the Funds collected since 03/15 $50.00 lowing shipmates who have been last newsletter. The entire crew Funds available for 06/15 $548.09 located since the last newsletter. sends our deepest sympathy to the Funds expended 06/15 $102.18 We hope to see you at the next family and friends of the deceased. If Balance for 09/15 $445.91 reunion, and we hope you will take you learn of a shipmate’s passing, an active part in the association. please let Premier Reunion Services The Pirate is mailed only to know so we can include his name in those who returned the coupon to Ronald Bollinger Taps and on the Honor Roll for the receive the newsletter by mail. 864 Byrn Mawr Ave next reunion. Others may access the newsletter Barlett, IL 60103 from the web site at: www.mlrsinc.com/eag128. Suey Lee Orlan Best Send contributions for the 1199 Alder Tree Way (1948-52) FN B Div newsletter to Premier Reunion Ser- Sacramento, CA 95831 Died March 17, 2015 vices at PO Box 11438, Hickory, 916-670-9894 ______NC 28603. ______