pagesofhistory Facelift
One of the most decorated battleships of World War II, the USS North Carolina (BB-55), moored off the coast of Wilmington, N.C., for 50 years, is getting a much-needed renovation.
O
ld warships don’t fade away — often they become popular tourist attractions. As with anything that
remains on public view, sometimes they require a facelift. Such is the case with the USS North
Carolina (BB-55), one of the most deco- rated battleships of World War II. De- commissioned in 1947, it has been moored in Wilmington, N.C., since 1961, a solemn tribute to all North Carolinians who served and died in the war. In April, a $2.1 million renovation began to repair corrosion along a 120-foot- long portion of the starboard bow of the USS North Carolina. Rather than risk dam- aging the aging vessel by attempting to sail it to a naval shipyard in Virginia or South Carolina, the work will be done onsite using barges, cranes, and a special coffer dam that will give workers access to the ship below the water line. According to Capt. Terry Bragg, USN-
Ret., executive director of Battleship North Carolina, the project will put to use some of the latest advances in ship- restoration technology and will take approximately five months to complete. Visitors will be able to watch the work as it happens. A second project, scheduled to begin
in October, will include the renovation of several berths and other rooms previ- ously unavailable to the public. The work will enable a special overnight camp- ing program available to local scouting
troops and other organizations, says Bragg. The cost for the second project is estimated at $2.5 million.
— Don Vaughan T
Korean War Soldiers Honored wo U.S. soldiers — Army Pfc. Anthony T. Kaho’ohanohano and Pfc. Henry Svehla — received Med-
als of Honor posthumously for their actions during the Korean War. President Obama presented the awards to the soldiers’ rela- tives at a White House ceremony May 2. On June 12,
1952, Svehla’s platoon came under fire near Pyong- yang. Svehla charged the enemy, firing his weapon and throw- ing grenades. When an enemy gre- nade landed among his comrades, he threw himself on the grenade and was killed immediately. On Sept. 1, 1951, outnumbered by enemy
forces near Chopra-Ri, Kaho’ohanohano ordered his squadron to move to a more defensible position. He used grenades and ammunition to fire at the onrushing enemy. When his ammunition ran out, he fought hand to hand until he was killed.
MO
*online: Visit
www.battleshipnc.com to learn more about the renovation project. PHOTO: KEN THOMAS
History Lesson On July 4, 1861, Presi- dent Lincoln, in a special message to Congress, for the first time gave a full explanation of the purpose of the Civil War.
The USS North Carolina (BB- 55), moored near the mouth of the Cape Fear River in Wilm- ington, N.C., serves as a float- ing museum.
JULY 2011 MILITARY OFFICER 67
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