Those Who Served

My dad, Roy Alex Kotoff, served on the USS Iowa during her voyage carrying President Roosevelt to the Casablanca Conference and back. He received his Shellback certificate on that voyage; I still have it. During his time in the Navy, he also served at the Naval Air Station, Midway Island; USS Sierra, and finally at the Naval Operations Base in Shanghai. I am so very proud of my father and his part in the amazing history of the USS Iowa!

I was aboard the USS Iowa for 2 yrs. Capt Smedberg was the best Commander I ever served under. My Battle Station was Flag Plot, There I also worked with Vice Admiral JJ Clark Commander 7th Fleet.My opion is Capt Smedberg made The Iowa the great Ship she is. I was also on the USS New Jersey. I served 6yrs Navy 16 yrs USAF But the Iowa holds the most fondest memories

I served on the IOWA from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War in Baker Division, Number 1 Fire room. As a midwestern farm boy, I had never seen the ocean or a battleship. I wondered how a hunk of iron that large could float. I enjoyed my four years aboard and after discharge I returned to Illinois and reclaimed my job. I became a state policeman, spent 20 years in business, spent a total of 25 years in law enforcement and retired as an Illinois prison administrator and have enjoyed a long retirement.

When my grandfather graduated high school in June 1940, he joined the US Navy intending to become a pilot. He completed basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois. During this time, the rules changed, only to allow college graduates to become pilots. Once he finished boot camp in 1941, he joined the USS Pennsylvania at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was a rangefinder operator and practiced shooting land or towed vessel targets. After six months, he had the opportunity to be tested for acceptance into Naval Prep School, a first step toward attending the Naval Academy, where he could complete his dream of becoming a pilot! He qualified and attended Naval Prep School in Norfolk, Virginia, missing the attack on Pearl Harbor by three months. From there, my grandfather attended the Naval Academy for three years (accelerated during the War). His first assignment upon graduating in 1945 was to the USS Iowa. He was assigned to be a Turret One officer for a year. When he joined the USS Iowa in Hawaii, their first assignment was to accompany the USS Missouri for Japan's surrender. The Iowa and Missouri steamed into Sagami Bay for the Japanese Naval surrender, and then on to Tokyo Bay, to receive the Japanese Emperor's surrender. He watched the surrender proceedings from the deck of the Iowa as it transpired aboard the Missouri. He was among the very early waves of service members to step foot in Japan. Their first job was to help ship out US POWs. Once he completed one year's deployment aboard the USS Iowa, he went to Pensacola, FL to attend Flight Training.There he became a Naval Aviator, his lifelong dream! Over the course of his career, he flew the following aircraft: SNJ (flight training), R4D, R5D, F2H, F3D, AD4, AD5, AD6, Grumman HU-16, P2V. He flew planes from 1949 when he earned his wings till he retired in 1963. To the time of his death on May 26, 2021 at the age of 99, my grandfather would talk about how incredible his time was aboard the USS Iowa. In his last few months he reminded us to count our blessings and told us that he's a "great believer in luck" and that he's been "very lucky." He is survived by his loving family who celebrates his life with gin martinis, chocolate, and good beer.

I joined the Iowa, my first ship, as a brand new ensign just out of CIC school in 1957. On my very first watch I reported a radar contact to Conn as "Alpha' due north heading 180 at 6 knots. Conn responded it had a visual on my Alpha. "It is a rock and not traveling 6 knots in any direction". I blame the state of the 1957 radar, but it was all downhill from there. I retired after my next tour on the USS Wasp.

I served on the Iowa from August of 1985 to January of 1987 in 3rd deck division. I saw two trips to Europe and one to Central America with a pass through the Panama Canal. I received my bluenose when we went inside the Arctic circle to take some target shots at ice burgs with blue dye rounds. My work on board constituted of maintaining fire equipment, chipping and painting, holy stoning the deck and shining brass of course. My GQ station was the turret three powder mag. My most memorable time aboard was at the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty after it was refinished in 1986. I helped set The Beach Boys up on top of turret 3 and got to meet the band. It was also the only time we were allowed to drink keg beer on board! ZZ Top was playing on the JFK nearby. The fireworks were phenomenal. Great duty and I’m glad I did it to this day.

Dr. Manke served as a dental officer from the time the ship was commissioned in early 1943 through September 1944, logging by his account about 120,000 miles on the ship he was so proud to serve on. A plastic model of the Iowa assembled by his young son had a prominent position on his desk for decades, until his death in 2005 at 86. He felt honored to have been involved in ferrying President Roosevelt across the Atlantic to meet with Churchill and Stalin, and kept a copy of the President's appreciative farewell address to the crew.

I spent 5 years in the Navy Reserve, and was called to active duty in 1952. I went aboard in April, 1952 and served on the Iowa until February of 1954.

My short story is already posted. Can you add my photo? Thanks - Jim

Served on board from early 1987 to decom was there for all the great moments and some of the really bad that will live with me forever so many shipmates lost that day that I knew from mess cranking, working jod together, or helping on load ammo, etc. I won't go into details about April 19th, but it's a day I live in my head over and over everyday. God bless all who served on board the greatest ship in the Navy

My father, Ruben L. Ingram, Senior, was assigned to the USS Iowa when it was commissioned Feb 22, 1943. My mother (who is still living at 101 years old) and I attended the commissioning in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It was a rainy day and at the age of nine I watched Admiral Forrestal christen the ship as it was launched on it's first shakedown run. We then went to Boston while the ship was repaired before it joined the war effort first in the Atlantic and then taking the President to the Teheran conference with Stalin and Churchill. My father was the supply officer responsible for obtaining the water from Warm Springs, GA for the first and only bathtub installed on a battleship. He spent many an evening chatting with President Roosevelt when he requested a sandwich at night when he was restless.

My grandfather served in the Korean War on the U.S.S. Iowa. He loved that ship. I remember hearing many stories about his time and friends from there. He passed away on July 8th, 2011 after living with ALS for 6 long years.

I served as a fireman apprentice in the # 2 engine room during the explosion. I was a mess crank in two forward, struck out into public affairs division as a photographers mate. I am currently a High school psychology teacher.

To short of a duty on so historical a ship. Great times great stories! There are a bunch of us MARDET types on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/137578086320835/

My father, Leo Levien, was assigned to the USS Iowa after completing his training as a radioman. He wanted to serve in the Pacific where his triplet brothers, all Navy men, were serving and joined the ship at the Brooklyn Naval Yard in 1943. He traveled every mile with the Iowa, except for its trip from Seattle to Long Beach in 1945, when he was on leave finding my mother and proposing to her. He boarded the Iowa as a seaman, and left the USS Iowa on December 1, 1945 a radioman first class, division petty officer. Those years on the Iowa were a major part of his life, and when he wrote his life story in the 1990s, he shared many of his experiences aboard the ship. The one part that surprised me the most was of taking care of the POWs on the ship, following the surrender of Japan. When the Iowa was at risk of being scrapped he worked with groups to save the Iowa, made more in that he was born, raised and died in Iowa. I was sorry he did not live long enough to see his beloved ship settled permanently in San Pedro.

After serving in the US Navy Armed Guard the South Pacific I was at Ulithi at the end of WW2.. after arriving back in the states I was assigned to the Iowa in January 1946. She was the flagship of the 5th Fleet while in Tokyo Bay. We were in a storm for 3 days enroute to Japan. It buckled the false bow and wrecked one of the observation planes. Other than that it was a rather quiet trip for the Iowa. What a great ship .I am anxious to board her once again after 66 years.

Served onboard from 1986 to 1990. Currently still active as a CWO4.

I spent the first ten years of my military career as a U.S. Marine, having enlisted at age 17, in 1969. I have to say, however, that my years in the U.S. Navy afforded me far more opportunities for world travel than I ever would have realized in the Marine Corps (at least to desirable locations). USS IOWA was my last sea duty assignment before my retirement, in 1992. In 1988, I made a special trip to Washington, D.C. to negotiate my last sea duty assignment with my Detailer. It was well worth the effort as, after meeting with him, I was offered a Master-at-Arms billet aboard USS IOWA. I was thrilled, and jumped at the opportunity! I was truly privileged to have been a member of her crew, from 1988 until she was decommissioned, in 1990. USS IOWA was the 'Queen of the Seas'. Her profile was sleek and awe-inspiring, and she bristled with authority. Whenever she dropped anchor in a foreign port, she elicited the respect of the local population. I can recall several occasions, overseas, when throngs of people were lined up on the pier, waiting for a chance to come aboard and tour one of the most powerful warships on the planet. I can't tell you how proud I am to have served with so many fine shipmates, aboard the finest ship in the Fleet. My memories of USS IOWA will last a lifetime!

I went to the recruiter and saw a Jersey model in the window and asked if the Navy still had the battleships. Upon confirmation I asked how I could get on there to fire the guns. After graduating BE/E, GM A school 1&2 as third in my class I was able to pick the Iowa and the 5"-38cal C school. Upon graduation I was off the the Iowa in Mar 1989. I served aboard until decom, what a sad day. I came as a GMGSA kid and left as a GMG3 man. Photo credit to PH3 Sabo.

Ernest Served on the USS Iowa in the Korean war. If anyone knew him...please contact me at kevin@reesefamily.org. I will be adding more stories and awards.

One of the best times I had in the navy and one day was the the worst day I had too Wish all my shipmates and there family best wishes and I think of them every day Anyone from S-3 division that’s out there from 87-89 can reach me at pezman182@yahoo.com I’d love to reconnect

My grandfather served aboard the Iowa during WW2 (43-45) He told of events such as traveling the Panama Canal on the way to the Pacific, the Liberation of The Philippines, and encountering a typhoon which inflicted damage on the ship. The Iowa was in dry-dock for repairs: Dec 44-March 45. She then returned to the fighting near Japan. On 8/29/45, the Iowa entered Tokyo Bay in support of the occupation forces to arrive the next day. My grandfather was very proud of his time on the Iowa and wore his Former Crew Member cap until he passed away in Jan 2008.

Crew member 1987-1990. 2 years in FA division, 2 years in FM division. Made Chief and earned my Surface Warfare pin on IOWA. Deployments in 1987 and 1989.

In 1956 I was the Midshipman Engineering Officer on the USS Iowa (U. of South Carolina NROTC), when the ship visited England, Denmark and Cuba. Although I was aboard the Iowa for just a few months, I still have wonderful memories of that cruise. I later served on the USS Gainard (DD-706) and then transferred to the Navy Civil Engineering Corps. The picture shows me (with a check mark over my head) on the Gainard.

I was drafted in 1954 and discharged in 1956. I was assigned to the Chaplain's office for the duration.

My grandfather served on the USS Iowa during the Korean War.

DRAFTED 1954 DISCHARGED 1956. CHAPLAINS YEOMAN, SAILED ON 1955 MEDITERANEAN TOUR. STARTED IN DIV FA AND TRANSFERED TO EX.

Was #3 Fire Work Center Supervisor. then later made work center supervisor for EB14 also. Was one of the very last people to walk off her after we laid her up for decom in 1991. She was a great ship and had some of the best men I have ever served with in my 20 years in the Navy.

When I first got my orders in 1986, I had no idea what a BB was till I asked my "A" school teacher, all he said was damn I wish I had those orders. After getting to the ship I instantly knew why. Such an awsome feeling to step across that gangplank for the first time. Now Im allways lookin for an excuse to talk about her.

I was Turret 2 Officer for the Commissioning in 1984. Served with the PreCommissioning Team in Norfolk from August 1983, and left the ship in Panama in August 1984.

My dad served on the USS Iowa from 2/86 to his retirement in 8/87. Growing up all I ever knew was that my daddy was a weatherman, though I'm sure there was a lot more to his job than that. The story he always told me was that he wanted to be a photographer when he enlisted and ended up as an aerographer because it sounded similar. He passed away in 2005 and if anyone knew him or has any pictures I'd love hear from you. photo_chick@att.net

I'm adding my fathers information as I get it from him. He is 82 now and he proudly served on the USS Iowa. He talks about it almost daily.

I was on board Iowa for her final Med cruise and decommissioning...

As of July, 2019, I have worked as a volunteer in the Iowa Tour Department for seven years. My service related background was US Army field artillery, so if I report for work have not been given a specific job assignment, I can usually be found just forward of Turret One, preaching the faith on both naval and field artillery topics. This ship changes people's lives, or at least it did for me. In 2012, I had intentions of retiring to New Mexico and had even bought a house out there some years earlier. Then the Iowa came to town. Seven years later, I'm still here in San Pedro with no intentions of leaving.

Joined the Navy at age 18. It was great to have served on Iowa 52-53.

Was on her for five years (84/89). Mostly in OI div.

My dad served on board the U. S. S. Iowa during the Korean War from 1950-1954. He is on the end of the middle row on the right side, his head is partly blocked.

Mount Captain #55 - 1989 USS Iowa

There were many from my boot camp division (CO 125; RTC Great Lakes) and other recruit divisions chosen in 1983 to help commission and subsequently serve onboard IOWA. My assignment was within Second Division which was upkeep of the ceremonial Quarterdeck area and adjacent weather decks. My General Quarters station was Turret 2. There's no question that being a Battleship Sailor was hard work, the cleaning, shining and other physical work like holy-stoning seemed endless, but it was worth every drop of sweat to be a part of such a historic time in our Navy. As many do, I chose to get out of the Navy after my initial enlistment to pursue a career within our family business, which for about a year was satisfying, but having remained active reserves I was still associated with the Navy. It was the summer of 1987 during required active duty for training that I decided to reenlist and go back to what I truly loved -- being at sea. Hailing from Missouri my desire was to serve aboard USS MISSOURI (BB-63), but the crew was already established so my detailer offered the IOWA again, which I didn't hesitate taking. I returned to the ship in January 1988 while she was deployed to the Persian Gulf -- it was as if I'd never left -- I was assigned to First Division which was responsible for the ships Forecastle area, as well as paint locker, etc. My initial General Quarters station was Turret One, followed by assignment as special detail Boatswain's Mate of the Watch on the ships bridge. In early 1989 I was assigned to Fourth Division and ran the ships Sail Locker. I've got so many great IOWA memories, she was a majestic and powerful dreadnought with a devoted and faithful crew. If I had to choose but one period of time it would be our 1985 participation in Northern Wedding where we operated and conducted war games with many of our cold war allies. It was not all work without play though, as we visited ports in Germany, Norway, Denmark, and France, all of which were extremely fun times. I'm so very appreciative of the leadership and many other organizations participation in finally establishing our great ship as a vibrant museum in San Pedro. As I approach my retirement this spring (2019), it’s satisfying to know that walking IOWA’s teak decks will assuredly be more frequent for this old Battleship Sailor!

Flew on board the Iowa in January of 1988 by Helo. We circled the ship twice and being 18 and seeing the ship for the first time I was like how can I be this lucky to have orders to this ship. Served on 4 different ships in my 10 years in the Navy and I don't talk about any ship but the Iowa. Served on board until October 30th of 1990 worked in the Fuel Lab most of the time on board. God bless the Iowa 47.

Served aboard the Battleship USS Iowa from 1983-1987. First served as a Seaman in 5th division (Boats Division), and then went on to Radioman (RM) school to become a Radioman and assigned to the OC division. As of late, administering the Battleship USS IOWA Facebook group page.

I'm adding this because my grandfather served on the USS Iowa(61) from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War. He is 87 and still alive residing in Mississippi. I will add more as I get more information from him about his time in the service aboard the USS Iowa. If anyone is still alive that served with him during that time and knew him and would like to talk to him can email me at burcham_justin@yahoo.com and I will pass your contact info on to him so he can contact you.

Reported to Pre-Comm Iowa in Norfolk as a ICFA, September 1983, moved down to Pascagoula for the outfitting and commisioning. I must say 2nd most impressive thing about the Iowa, first being a "Broadside", was actually walking underneath the ship when she was in drydock. Enjoyed showing the flag throughout the Caribbean Islands during our first shakedown cruise. St. Thomas, Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras to name a few... Needless to say we did alot of field daying!

From Iowa farm boy who never saw the ocean, to Iowa sailor who saw nothing but ocean, and amazing story.

My dad proudly served aboard the USS Iowa from December 1945 to March 1946. He then went on to serve on the USS Columbus and the USS Springfield for the remainder of his three years in the Navy. After the Navy he spent a few years in "civilian life", and then he enlisted into the Air Force. He was a military guy through and through. He passed away in September of 2007. He always said that his time in the Navy was the happiest in his life.

I was on board the Iowa from shortly after commission until '86 as a member of the MARDET. I knew a lot of good men aboard that ship and I hope someday to make it out to visit her again.

Shore duty Japan 2.5 yrs. Duty on Iowa March '51 to June 52 as a shipfitter. Took the ship out of mothballs - Hunters Point, SF. The Iowa was good duty. The tour to Korea was quite memorable.

The Iowa was the first ship I was assigned to back in 1984 after boot camp! I was an undesignated SN. First assigned to 5th division, where we were responsible for the Captain's Gig and the liberty boats. I also got some on-the-job training in the ships Public Affairs Office and SITE-TV station. After a few months I transferred to X-3/PAO permanently. Being part of the '84 comminssioning crew was quite an experience. For me the first time even out of the USA! I will never forget all the wonderful places in the Caribbean we went to, the many full 16 gun broadsides that were demonstrated to many heads of states. Rumor has it that after one demonstration, the President of El Salvador was heard to say, "It's a shame we can't put the guns to the use they were designed for" to which (it's rumored, mind you) that the then XO said, "Just give me the word, sir." Never did verify that one, though. I also remember Fleet Week in NYC in 1984. After a second cruise in the Caribbean, I then was transferred to the JO 'A' School and DINFOS at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana. I had always wanted to come back to the Iowa, but another billet never opened up. I am proud of my entire 10 years in the Navy, but I will always treasure my time and memories of "the big stick" USS Iowa!