Sailors

Another "shellback" is launched from the tank. This photo shows the activities of President Harry S. Truman's staff and the crew of the USS Missouri during a crossing the equator ceremony. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

Naval personnel ride on a float. President Harry S. Truman on the speakers platform. This photo was probably taken during President Truman's tour of western states in 1948.

Original caption: "The No. 1 shellback receives the summons for the pollywog of the President's party (Admiral Leahy)." Admiral William Leahy participates in a crossing the equator ceremony on the USS Missouri, on the return trip from Brazil. From the album, President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro.

Original caption: "The ship is teeming with pollywogs." General view of a crossing the equator ceremony on the USS Missouri, on the return voyage of President Harry S. Truman's official visit to Brazil. From the album, President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro.

Original caption: "The ship is teeming with pollywogs." General view of a crossing the equator ceremony on the USS Missouri, on the return voyage from Brazil. From the album, President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro.

A weary pollywog submits to treatment by a shellback "Medico". This is a scene from a crossing the equator ceremony on the USS Missouri. From the album, President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro.

Two well dressed pollywogs. This is a scene from a crossing the equator ceremony on the U. S. S. Missouri. From the album, President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro.

The "gentlemen of the press" find there is no class distinction among pollywogs, during a crossing the equator ceremony on the U. S. S. Missouri. From the album, President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro.

Harry S. Truman addressing crew of the S.S. Constitution. Rene Matos, Bob Howder, Ernest Chanez, Hector Aravez, Frank Martinez, and Robert Bairan from National Maritime Union of America are standing behind Truman. Original photograph oversized.

Admiral James Foskett inspects sailors on the U. S. S. Missouri, as they return from a trip to Brazil. From the album, President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro.