NORFOLK, Va. — Tuesday marks 80 years since the U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Wisconsin. The ship, anchored by Nauticus, is known as one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the Navy.
“It’s one of the most iconic landmarks that we have here in the city of Norfolk,” said Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander.
For many years, the Battleship Wisconsin sailed the seas and embarked on several missions – including responses in World War II and the Korean War.
“April 16, 1944, the USS Wisconsin was commissioned at the Philadelphia Naval Yard,” said Nauticus CEO Stephen Kirkland.
Kirkland said a few weeks later, this vessel came to its homeport in Norfolk.
"And 2,900 sailors boarded this vessel,” he said.
“For nearly 250 years, the Navy has served the vital role of protecting and defending," said U.S. Navy Vice Admiral John Gumbleton. "For nearly 50 of those years, this legendary battleship…was called upon again and again to play its own part.”
Michael Hodgis and Russell Brabant know that history very well. Both served on the ship in the 1950s.
“So many things happened when you were on the ship. Like we had the collision with USS Eaton,” Brabant said.
Tuesday marked the 80th anniversary of the USS Wisconsin’s commission. Nauticus along with Navy and city officials celebrated the years of history aboard the ship and the people who served on it.
“It means a lot. It means that we’ve done something important in our life.” Hodgis said. “So many veterans…have never had the opportunity that we had to serve on the mightiest ship of the Navy.”
As they reflect on the past, they also look to the future as they store artifacts like the original ship menu, a 1940s piece of deck, a coin, an 80th-anniversary hat, a sailor's engraved Battleship Wisconsin lighter, an American flag flown for the 80th anniversary, Battleship coffee beans and letter from Sen. Mark Warner into a time capsule.
The capsule will be opened in 20 years for the 100th anniversary of the battleships commissioning.