Battleships

President Harry S. Truman enjoys watching people who have not previously crossed the equator participate in "Shellback" ceremonies aboard the U.S.S. Missouri en route from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Norfolk, Virginia. From: Found in a box of miscellaneous photos in the Audiovisual area.

Aboard the U.S.S. Missouri en route from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, to Norfolk, Virginia, President Harry S. Truman meets Davy Jones and King Neptune, goes through a ceremony to become a "Shellback," and receives a certificate (Imperium Neptuni Regis) which is presented to people on board who have not previously crossed the equator. From: Found in a box of miscellaneous photos in the Audiovisual area.

Copy of photo of the U.S.S. Missouri, now hanging in the reproduction of the Oval Office at the Harry S. Truman Library. It is in battle camouflage.

Photo of painting of the U.S.S. Missouri, painted by Mrs. Anna Licht. This was painted by Mrs. Licht after seeing the U.S.S. Missouri on the Hudson River during Navy Day.

Battleship U.S.S. Missouri at sea. The Missouri participated in ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This photograph was taken as she sailed past the island of Hawaii during her return voyage to the mainland U.S.A. It was on her deck that the Peace Treaty ending World War II was signed on September 2, 1945. The photo was taken by Houston F. James, a Pearl Harbor survivor. From: Unknown

Color postcard view of the second U.S.S. Missouri, commissioned in 1903 and in service during WWI. The card is damaged. From: Jim Kreuzberger.

A boat of sailors drives toward the U.S.S. Missouri, in preparation for boarding.

President Harry S. Truman, visiting aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, converses with Navy Lieutenant Ralph Ingram Sherman, USN (center), as he was introduced to the ship's personnel. The President was on board for an official state visit to Brazil. From: J. Carol Sherman McVicker.

This picture was taken from the U.S.S. Missouri on Navy Day in New York Harbor. Also pictured is the destroyer Renshaw (left of the U.S.S. Missouri) which is passing in front of the battleship New York, while in the background smoke clouds can be seen coming from the cruiser Helena.

President Harry S. Truman (first row, right side) is seated next to Mayor Fiorello La Guardia (second from the right on the first row) on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri on Navy Day in New York Harbor. Others are unidentified.