New Collection Added to Battleship IOWA’s Archives:
Photographs and Written Memories from the Korean War Commissioning
Lt. Robert McKinnell served aboard BB-61 as Assistant Outgoing Stores Officer during the Korean War. His daughter, Susan, has generously donated these materials to ensure his experiences remain part of the ship’s living history. Here is a taste of what Susan shared with us.
BB-61 Recomissioning Ceremony
Photographs by Allied Photographers, San Francisco.
IOWA’s Marine Detachment. Notice the cars on the wharf.
I reported for duty prior to the recommissioning of the USS Iowa (BB 61) when the ship was at Hunter’s Point, San Francisco, California.
When the ship began sea trials to ascertain if she was combat ready, I was ordered to be a Check Site Observer for the Main Battery Turret number 2 which consisted of 3 16″/50-caliber guns (The Check Site Observer sits in a saddle and peers into a telescope positioned exactly as the 16 inch guns are). I was sitting as close as possible to those massive guns during this time and they were fired often. I had this duty only until Iowa was commissioned. I had no ear protection nor, as far as I know, did anyone else.
My room aboard Iowa had a mount with two 5in/38cal guns immediately outside my porthole (window). During harassment and interdiction firing (most nights we were in Korea), I slept while the ship was sailing north along the coast. However, when the ship headed south, the blast of the 5 inch guns seemed to come directly into my room.
When we were not at general quarters, and when firing our main battery with shells sent deep into North Korea, I frequently would walk on deck to my destination (radio one, mess decks, assorted store rooms, etc) rather than take a circuitous route below decks. My unprotected ears got the full blast of the firing.
I believe that these several causes are why I experienced hearing loss during the Korean War.
[R.G. McKinnell was almost deaf in one ear after the Korean War]
R.G. McKinnell’s roommate on the IOWA was the future Vice Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely. McKinnell wrote; I remember correctly that I moved into the large room that I shared with Sam (port side next to a five inch dual purpose gun–good memory there) just after I made LT. But it seems that Sam was already a LT when he reported to IOWA.
The recommissioning ceremony took place on a Saturday, 1030, at San Francisco, and Captain William R. Smedberg, III, USN, assumed command. A host of distinguished visitors, including Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who delivered the commissioning address, was present for the ceremonies.
Fleet Admiral Nimitz pointed out that the cost of building Iowa today would be $250 million, while the expense of mothballing Iowa the last 2 years was less $1,650 million, less than 1%. “In addition to the financial gain, the Navy has saved the time involved in the construction of such a tremendous vessel – time that is a priceless element these days.”
Mrs. William S. Beardsley, wife of the Governor of Iowa, presented the flag of the State of Iowa to Captain Smedberg, as an estimated crowd of 1,000 crew and 1,200 visitors watched.
Some of the visitors were struggling with the day’s events.
Looking down at Turret 3, visitors, and the crew. Note under Turret 3 the empty gun mounts for the WWII 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns.
Part of the Official Party. From left to right; RADM Lewis N. Moeller (CEC), U.S. Navy, Director, Pacific & Alaka Division, Bureau of Yards and Docks; Lt. Gen. J. M. Swing, U.S. Army, Commanding General, Sixth Army; VADM John L. Hall, U.S. Navy, Commander, Pacific Reserve Fleet; Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, U.S. Navy; Mrs. William S. Beardsley, Representing the Governor of Iowa; at the podium incoming IOWA Commanding Officer Captain William R. Smedberg III.
NOTE: Photo captions based on the recommissioning brochure…..with a few assumptions.
– Dave Way, Ship’s Historian
