Ships

Coach Truman smiles and bends with his arms extended as leads his group in exercises aboard the USS Missouri. His shirt says, "Coach Truman Athletic Club." This photo was taken as President Harry S. Truman returned to the United States from an official visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

The Royal Chaplain comforts two chastised pollywogs. This is part of the crossing the Equator ceremony that took place on board the USS Missouri as President Harry S. Truman and members of his party returned to the United States from an official visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

Another victim, please. This is part of the crossing the Equator ceremony that took place on board the USS Missouri as President Harry S. Truman and members of his party returned to the United States from an official visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

A birds eye view of "operation Neptune." This is part of the crossing the Equator ceremony that took place on board the USS Missouri as President Harry S. Truman and members of his party returned to the United States from an official visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

The "Royal Chaplain" ready to administer the last rites to unfortunate pollywogs. This is part of the Crossing the Equator ceremony that took place on board the USS Missouri as President Harry S. Truman and his party returned to the United States from an official visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

Frank Dennis, a reporter for the Washington Post, on the "operating table" as he participates in the crossing the Equator ceremony on board the USS Missouri. He is a member of President Harry S. Truman's party that is traveling back to the United States from an official visit to Brazil on board the USS Missouri. All others are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

The royal cop. This photo documents the activities of the staff and crew on the USS Missouri as they cross the equator during President Harry S. Truman's return voyage from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

Another "shellback" is launched from the tank. This photo documents the crossing the Equator ceremony that took place on the USS Missouri during the trip of President Harry S. Truman and his party from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to the United States. All are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

Another "shellback" is launched from the tank. This is part of the "Crossing the Equator" ceremony that took place on the USS Missouri. President Harry S. Truman and members of his party participated in the ceremony as they returned to the United States from a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

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."