I can't believe 20 years have passed. I lost a good friend that day and his memory never leaves and my support for the US military never waivers.
Peace to all the families of the U.S.S. Iowa.
It was a sad and tragic day indeed, but I was troubled by the way it was reported. Like it was the first time it ever happened, followed by the how could we let this happen?, and Who's at fault?, spin of the news.
Working in a turret was extremely dangerous work, and explosions such as this happened many times before.
On my Dad's ship alone, accidental turret explosions happened twice, once in 1924 and again in 1943. I think if a reporter worth his salt could of gathered up all the other turret explosions so we could of spent less time trying to fix blame, and more time honoring the men who sacrificed their lives.
U.S.S MISSISSIPPI (My Dads ship)
During gunnery practice on 12 June 1924 off San Pedro, 48 of her men were killed as a result of an explosion in her No. 2 main battery turret.
While bombarding Makin 20 November 1943, a turret explosion, almost identical to the earlier tragedy, killed 43 men.
