Volume 9, Issue 4 September 2006

Special Points of Interest 1945 BROCHURE TELLS MISSY’S STORY • We think you’ll enjoy Earl Slattum’s submis- We want to thank Earl Slattum for sion of the history of the sending in this brochure. Earl served on USS found on the Mississippi from November 1945 to the first three pages. September 1948 and served as an ET 2. This brochure will be used as a series to • Welcome Mat on page be continued in the next several issues three has two new names of the Pirate. to add to the roster. Wel- come Aboard!! WAR HISTORY OF THE • President Jake Jacobs’ column is on page four. U.S.S MISSISSIPPI He hopes to see many of you at the reunion. Introduction—Pre-War Years The MISSISSIPPI was ordered and • If you haven’t signed up her keel laid in 1914 at Newport News, for the reunion yet, get Virginia. She was commissioned on De- your registration in right cember 18, 1917. As originally built, she away. displaced 32,000 tons, and had a top • Come to Nashville for a speed of 21 knots. In addition, she great time, see old friends mounted twelve 14” guns, fourteen 5” and make new ones. See broadside guns, and had an anti-aircraft you October 5-8 at the battery consisting of four 3” guns. Embassy Suites Hotel. Commissioned less than a year before Cover of 1945 brochure from the the armistice, she was assigned to the USS Mississippi. (Continued on page 2) VOLUME 9, ISSUE 4 THE PIRATE PAGE 2

(Continued from page 1) convoys and lines of communica- NEAPOLIS, and arriving the third Atlantic Fleet and saw little real ac- tions. During this period, scouting of March. tion in . In 1919, the MIS- and searching operations were con- She stayed in Pearl Harbor for SISSIPPI, along with other major ducted in the North Atlantic in the a brief time, undergoing much ships and , was shifted to vicinity of Iceland, including a needed repairs. From there she the Pacific Fleet, the fore-runner of search for the Nazi proceeded to the North Pacific today’s powerful force. SHORNHORST and TIRPITZ, then Area, arriving at Kuluk Bay, Adak During the years of peace that suspected of violating United State on the 17th of May, 1943. followed, the MISSISSIPPI distin- neutrality. Throughout the months of June, guished herself by winning the “Iron July and August the MISSISSIPPI Man,” symbol of the fleet athletic Combat History operated in Aleutian waters partici- championship, for six consecutive The morning of December 7th pating in the regaining of Atta and years. She was known as the “Iron found the MISSISSIPPI in Hvalfjor- Kiska Islands from the Japanese. Man Ship” because of her athletic dur, Iceland. She and her sister- On the twenty-second of July, she prowess and high morale, and was ships of Division THREE remained engaged in the bombardment of coveted duty assignment for both among the very few undamaged Kiska, and on the twenty-sixth took officers and men. battleships then in the U.S. Navy. In part in a night action against uni- Also during this period gunnery January, 1942, she was again dentified radar targets. She left the installations were continually im- transferred to the Pacific Fleet. After Aleutian area the latter part of Au- proved. However, after nearly 14 transitting the canal she anchored in gust and arrived in San Francisco years of freedom from major gunnery San Francisco Harbor on January on September the sixth. accidents in the Fleet, the worst tur- 22, 1942. The remainder of September ret fire of all occurred in the MISSIS- Her first assignment with the and the first part of October, 1943 SIPPI while firing off San Pedro, Pacific Fleet was to escort a was spent undergoing drydocking California on June 12, 1924. Due to to within five hundred miles of Pearl and repairs. Then after training in low pressure on the gas ejector sys- Harbor and to return immediately to San Pedro—San Diego area, she tem of Turrett II, a flareback occurred San Francisco. During the period got underway for Pearl Harbor on resulting in a fire which took the from January to July, the MISSIS- the twentieth of October. The early lives of 3 officers and 44 men; 9 oth- SIPPI operated out of West Coast part of November was spent oper- ers being injured. Ports, escorting convoys and guard- ating in Hawaiian Waters, but on In 1933, the ship was modern- ing Pacific Coast from what was November 10, 1943, the MISSIS- ized. The armament was improved then believed to be imminent am- SIPPPI was on her way to take by the removal of the 3” AA battery. phibious attacks. From August to part in the Gilbert Islands Cam- A new 5”/25 caliber battery and its November of 1942, she stood by an paign. It was on the twentieth of associated modern fire control sys- uncommitted reserve in the Central November, while bombarding tem was installed. Also a new main Pacific, operating in Hawaiian Wa- Makin Island that a flareback in battery fire control system was in- ters, supporting light forces and car- Turrett II resulted in the loss of 42 stalled. All major engineering instal- riers who had borne the brunt of men. During this same period an- lations were renewed except for Japanese aggression since the be- other ship of the same task force, some minor auxiliaries, and there ginning of the war. the escort carrier LISCOMB BAY, were many alterations in the hull de- On November 30th, the ship was was torpedoed while on station sign. Modern mast structures were underway for Nandi Waters, Fiji Is- 1,000 yards from the MISSIS- furnished, considerably improving lands, reaching her destination on SIPPI, and sunk within twenty-one the ship’s appearance. Shortly after December 18th. There she acted as minutes. completion of the modernization on the rear guard for the Solomons December of 1943 and January August 31, 1933, the MISSISSIPPI forces in the great battles of Gua- of 1944 were spent in Hawaiian was assigned to, and operated with dalcanal and Santa Cruz. Waters in training and preparation the Pacific Fleet until early in the During January and February of for another amphibious operation. year of 1941. 1943, the MISSISSIPPI continued On January 22, the MISSISSIPPI In May of 1941, the MISSISSIPPI to operate in the South Pacific was underway once more, this was ordered to the East Coast and Theater, at one time forming part of time for the Marshalls. The 31st of reported to the Atlantic Fleet for duty. a task force which escorted the January and the 1st of February From June to December of that year, damaged cruiser PENSACOLA to were spent in the bombardment of she operated with the Atlantic Fleet, the vicinity of Samoa. In the later Kwajalein and other atolls in that guarding commerce on so-called part of February of that year she area. It was here that the MISSIS- duties in the area returned once more to Pearl Harbor, SIPPI moved in to a range of less between the East Coast and Iceland, escorting the damaged cruiser MIN- than 1800 yards from the beach, and acting as a covering force for (Continued on page 3) VOLUME 9, ISSUE 4 THE PIRATE PAGE 3

(Continued from page 2) the remainder of the month of No- wounding several others. and at this point-blank range, demol- vember and first part of December Arriving back in Leyte on the 21st ished the Japanese defenses so training in that area. After a brief of June, the MISSISSIPPI entered a completely that opposition to our period at Kossol Passage, as re- floating drydock where combat re- landing forces was negligible. serve for the Mindoro Operation, pairs were completed. During July From Kwajalein she moved on to she returned to San Pedro Bay, and the early part of August, 1945, Majuro, and it was from this base Leyte, P.I. on the twenty-eighth of she continued training in the Leyte that she bombarded Taroa on 20 December. January the second, Gulf—San Pedro Bay area. February and Wotje the following 1945, found the MISSISSIPPI un- Moving north to Okinawa on the day. With Kwajalein secured, she derway for Lingayen, Luzon where twenty-first of August, the MISSSIS- proceeded to Efate in the New Hebri- she arrived on the sixth. It was dur- SIPPI became part of the task force des. After a short period of combat ing this passage that the Task which entered Sagami Wan, Honshu inactivity the MISSISSIPPI bom- Forces involved were subjected to Japan, on August twenty-seventh. barded Kavieng, New Ireland on almost continuous air attacks During the remainder of the month of March 20, 1944 as a diversionary which resulted in the loss of the August the ship assisted in support- operation in support of Emirau land- escort carrier OMMANWY BAY, ing the actual landings of the Allied ings. and considerable damage to many Occupation Forces on Japan in this Badly in need of regunning, the other major combatant units. The area. On September 1st, the MIS- ship returned to the States, arriving bombardments of San Fabian and SISSIPPI moored in Tokyo Bay, and in Bremerton Navy Yard on April San Fernando followed, and it was was present during the signing of the 25th. Throughout the month of June, here that she received her first hit surrender Terms on the second. the MISSISSIPPI underwent repairs by the enemy. On D-Day, January and regunning. After training in San 9, 1945, a came in low Next: MISSISSIPPI Pedro Bay area and Pearl Harbor over the water out of the sun, hit- Credited with Destruction of Shuri during July, she steamed to Purvis ting the port side of the foremast Castle Bay, Florida Islands, in the Bismarck structure and crashing on the boat Archipelago, anchoring there on the deck. Considerable damage to the 24th of August, 1944. On September ship’s structure and gun installa- 6th she headed for the Palau Islands tions resulted, and 27 fatalities Operation. At Peleliu the MISSIS- were suffered. She continued to SIPPI’s assignment was to knock out carry out all assignments until the guns on the now famous Bloody March, when she returned to Pearl Nose Ridge. This was done after Harbor for repairs, arriving there three days and nights of hammering the third. The latter part of March WELCOME MAT the ridge at point-blank range, and and April was utilized for training then covering the landing with call and on the 18th of April the MIS- The USS MISSISSIPPI Asso- fire from 12 to 19 September. SISSIPPI departed for Okinawa via ciation cordially welcomes the fol- After the Palau Operation, she Eniwetok. lowing shipmates who have been returned to Manus and began prepa- From arrival until 18 June, the located since the last newsletter. rations for the invasion of the Philip- MISSISSIPPI remained in the Oki- We hope to see you at the next pines, departing on October 12. The nawa area, carrying out bombard- reunion, and we hope you will take MISSISSIPPI entered Leyte Gulf on ment and call fore assignments as an active part in the association. October 18th, and during the follow- required. As the Army advanced ing two days bombarded Northern on the Japanese stronghold of Jimmy Helms (1956-57) beaches in preparation for the actual Shuri Castle, it was the MISSIS- 6230 Rock Island Rd landings on the twentieth. On the SIPPI who was assigned the task Charlotte, NC 28278 twenty-fifth, she was the flagship of of destroying this obstacle. It was 704-588-9249 the battle line when Admiral Olden- on this target, firing three gun sal- dorf’s Seventh Fleet Task Force an- vos, that 56 direct hits were made Fred Laube nihilated the Southern Japanese out of 69 salvos, demolishing this 53 Baker Dr force in the Battle of Surigao Strait. strong point and allowing the Army Asheville, NC 28806 In the twenty-nine days that she op- to continue its advance practically 828-251-9809 erated in Leyte Gulf area, she under- unopposed. June the fifth, the MIS- ______went thirty-eight aerial attacks and SISSIPPI received her second WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU! one major sea engagement, but wound stripe of the war. Another Again we need more stories from came out unscathed. Kamikaze broke through to hit aft, you for the newsletter. Please let us The MISSISSIPPI left Leyte Gulf on the starboard side of the quar- hear from you! November 16, for Manus, and spent terdeck, killing one officer and VOLUME 9, ISSUE 4 THE PIRATE PAGE 4

PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT OF MESSAGE PUBLICATION Ann and I drove down to Imperial Beach, just south of San Diego last Monday and spent a great day with TAPS The PIRATE is the official pub- lication of the USS MISSISSIPPI Sandy and Roger Moscone. Wish The Pirate has learned of the Association. From now on it will be we lived closer, so that we’d spend following shipmates’ deaths since published quarterly in March, June, more time with them. He’d like to the last newsletter. The entire crew September, and December, sub- come to the reunion, but he can’t sends our deepest sympathy to the ject to receiving sufficient funding. make it due to doctor visits, etc. widow, family and friends of the The Newsletter is funded by vol- This brings up a point, if there are deceased. shipmates out there, why not give untary contributions from the mem- the reunion a “shot.” As I keep say- bership. All members are encour- Ernest Rockroth (1951-52) aged to support the voice of the ing, you never know who you may Died November 20, 2005 run into from the time on the Missy. MISSISSIPPI. A financial state- ment appears in each issue of the We’ve got a great place to stay at, Norman Saleski and the itinerary is good. newsletter. Date of death not reported The newsletter is intended to be At the reunion we always make ______an appeal for funds to keep the Pi- a vehicle for the members to ex- rate going, so that for those who press opinions, make suggestions won’t be there, remember the Pirate and especially share experiences. and help support its distribution by Unless otherwise stated, the donating to the ML&RS at the ad- USS MISSISSIPPI views and opinions printed in the dress that’s in the Pirate. newsletter are those of the article’s Looking forward to seeing you all 2006 REUNION writer, and do not necessarily rep- at the reunion. If you’re driving or resent the opinion of the Associa- flying, have a good and safe trip. tion leadership or the Editor of the See you in Nashville!!! OCTOBER 5-8 Newsletter. If you who remember Roger from All letters and stories submitted the Missy, why not drop him a line will be considered for publication, or call him and say hello. I’m sure NASHVILLE, TN except unsigned letters will not be he’d appreciate that. published. Letters requesting the EMBASSY writer’s name be withheld will be Irwin “Jake” Jacobs honored, but published on a space ______available basis. Signed letters with SUITES no restrictions will be given priority. HOTEL Letters demeaning to another Financial Statement shipmate will not be printed; letters espousing a political position will Balance remaining after 06/06 Published By: not be printed. $687.91 Military Locator & Reunion Service, Inc Military Locator & Reunion Ser- Funds collected since 06/06 PO Drawer 11399 vice, Inc. is not responsible for the $300.00 Hickory, NC 28603 accuracy of articles submitted for Funds available for 09/06 828-256-6008 (voice) publication. It would be a monu- $987.91 828-256-6559 (fax) mental task to check each story. Funds expended for 09/06 [email protected] [email protected] Therefore, we rely on the submitter $273.09 www.mlrsinc.com (web site) to research each article. Balance remaining for 12/06 The editor reserves the right to $714.82 “Our Reunions Work So You Don’t Have edit letters to conform to grammar, Send contributions to ML&RS, Inc. To” and/or space limitations. at our address to the right. ______You are encouraged to actively participate in the newsletter family ATTENTION REUNION ATTENDEES by submitting your stories and sug- The Association is asking all 2006 reunion attendees to bring an item of gestions. $5.00 to $10.00 value for a raffle to be held during the reunion. The money ______raised will go to the Association to help fund the newsletter. VOLUME 9, ISSUE 4 THE PIRATE PAGE 5

began offering these items as a service mit yours via www.mlrsinc.com/ IMPORTANT to the reunion groups who didn’t know questionnaire.htm. where else to order items. Due to the We do realize that there are still INFORMATION increased availability of memorabilia, our some people who do not have or do not sales have declined over the last few want internet access. Because of this, The information contained in this let- years, and it is no longer cost effective we will continue paper mailings to those ter is very important! Please read it very for us to continue offering these items. who let us know they want their info via carefully and respond as necessary! Also, there are a lot of groups who prefer the postal mail. You must return the You must respond as indicated in this to sell the items themselves as a fund “coupon” at the end of this letter if message to continue receiving infor- raiser for the association. We certainly you wish to continue receiving paper mation about your reunion through do not wish to compete with your asso- copies of the various materials we the US Postal mail! ciation sales! send out—newsletters, registration Big changes are going on here at In place of the Sentimental Journal, packets, surveys, etc. If you do not ML&RS, Inc! They’re not going to hap- we will begin including a 2006 Memory mail in this coupon, we are assuming pen overnight, but the process has be- Book as the memorabilia item given you have internet access and can obtain gun. As you are certainly aware, rising away at the reunion. This will replace the all the necessary reunion information off costs for hotel rooms, meal prices and note cards, clocks, pens, etc that have your group’s web site. fuel for autos and tour buses makes for been given in the past. However, they At some point in the near future, we a more expensive reunion! We are do- will not be given at the reunion, they will plan to add on-line registration capabili- ing everything we can to keep our costs be sent to each attendee (who signs up ties to each group’s we site. That proba- to a minimum. However, prices continue for one of the Option Packages or orders bly won’t happen this year, but I do fore- to rise, including postage (which has one as part of their Individual Option) see it happening soon. That is another gone up again the first of this year). In following the reunion. The 2006 Memory feature we got a lot of requests for. an effort to offer you and your fellow Book will contain photos from the reunion As we strive to provide you and your attendees the lowest possible cost, we and “then and now” photos that have reunion group with the best possible are going to make some changes to the been submitted prior to the reunion each value for your reunion dollar, it is some- way things have been done in the past. year. The very popular profiles will now times necessary to change the way We hope you will work with us to imple- be accessible from the web site. some things are done. Our ultimate goal ment these changes as smoothly as Now that the group’s web site is up is to offer each and every reunion atten- possible! and running we will discontinue the ma- dee a great reunion at a reasonable Due to the multitude of requests we jority of the paper mailings we sent out. price. Please do not hesitate to contact have received over the last few years, Newsletters, Surveys, Introductory Let- me if you have any questions, com- we are going to now upgrade our web ters and Questionnaires, and the Regis- ments or suggestions! site to include a variety of information tration Material will all be available on the pertaining to your reunion. There will be web site. Your group’s web site is a small web site within our company’s www.mlrsinc.com/eag128. Be sure to Respectfully, web site for each of the reunion groups visit the site frequently and take advan- Dina Coffey we work with. The main page for each tage of the information that will be/is Office Manager group will contain basic information available there. If your profile is not listed M L&RS, Inc about the upcoming reunion, as well as in the Crew Profiles, then be sure to sub- ______links to several other pages, including but not limited to lists of those who have signed up, the actual registration packet as a web page, a link to the profiles that Return this coupon if you want to receive all future mailings from us on paper via were previously printed in the Sentimen- US Postal Mail: tal Journal, newsletters, and after the reunion a link that can be used to order Reunion Group: ______copies of the memory books that will (ship or unit name) now be included as part of the reunion package. Also, we will not duplicate anything your group already has on their Your name: ______web page. We will do our best to keep personal information secure. Addresses and phone numbers will not be pub- Your mailing address: ______lished. Email addresses will only be published with permission. ______Beginning with the 2006 reunions, we will be discontinuing our memorabilia sales, including the Sentimental Journal. Your phone number: ______There are so many web sites out there now where hats, t-shirts, etc can be or- Return this coupon to: dered, and the turn-around time is just a ML&RS, INC matter of days. When we first started PO DRAWER 11399 this business, this was not the case. We HICKORY, NC 28603