Over the weekend I had the opportunity to take a step back into our military history. Anyone who knows me, knows I love to study and learn about WWII. It was the war that changed everything. So this weekend I decided to visit the USS Missouri.
If you don't know about the USS Missouri, here's a little history lesson for you. (It's really interesting, I promise!)
The USS Missouri, also known as the "Mighty Mo," was built during WWII in a Brooklyn shipyard. She was launched on January 29, 1944 and was commissioned as the USS Missouri on June 11, 1944. It is an Iowa class battleship.
On April 11, 1945 the USS Missouri was hit by a Japanese "Zeke" aircraft northeast of Okinawa. A fire erupted on the plane but no bomb exploded which meant no loss of American lives. It's no secret that Kamikaze pilots were a big part of WWII. But this story isn't finished with just the death of the pilot. In fact, I never knew the rest of the story. I'm sure most people don't. So I want to share this super IMPORTANT story.
The crew of the USS Missouri pulled the body of the Japanese pilot from the wreckage. The officers and crew created a Japanese flag and paused the next morning to pay their respects to their fallen enemy. They stood at attention and offered a salute for the fallen pilot. The Marine Honor Guard fired a three rifle volley and the Chaplain on board said "Commend his body to the deep."
When I heard this story while visiting the Mighty Mo, I couldn't help but tear up. People tend to forget that the pilots of these Kamikaze missions were people who were doing their duty to their country. In fact, the youngest Kamikaze pilot was only 17 years old.
Years later, a couple of WWII vets were visiting the USS Missouri from Japan. They made it a point to learn the identity of the pilot who was honored by the sailors and marines that were aboard on that fateful day. They did just that.
His name was Setsuo Ishino. Please remember that name. So many lives were lost on all sides of WWII and many of them have been forgotten.
On September 2, 1945, representatives from the Allied and Axis powers met aboard the USS Missouri, in Tokyo Bay to "conclude an agreement by which peace can be restored." It was aboard the USS Missouri that the Empire of Japan signed the two copies of Instrument of Surrender. General MacArthur signed on behalf of the Allied nations that were in attendance.
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| The exact spot of surrender |
In 1955, the USS Missouri was decommissioned.
In 1984-1986, the ship was modernized and reactivated.
May 10, 1986 the USS Missouri was recommissioned.
September- November 1987 the ship was underway in the Persian Gulf as part of the Operation Earnest Will.
January 17, 1991 the USS Missouri was the first battleship to fire Tomahawks as the start of Operation Dessert Storm.
March 31, 1992 The USS Missouri was decommissioned again.
Overall, my trip to visit the Mighty Mo was a success. I had a great time and learned so so much. If you're ever visiting Hawaii, please be sure to stop by.
Have you ever visited the Mighty Mo?
