U.S.S. West Virginia (Top) and the U.S.S. Oklahoma (Bottom)
Date:
undated
Description:
The U.S.S. West Virginia and USS Oklahoma at sea. Text on back reads 'Official U.S. Navy photographs from C941635...Watch your credit...international news photos slug West Virginia-Oklahoma' U.S. Battleships bombed by Japs. Washington, D.C...Two U.S. Warships, the Battleships West Virginia 'Top' and Oklahoma 'Bottom', were reported damaged or sunk in the Japanese bombing attack on the Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Naval Base. G-12-7-41-9/30PM.
Plaque Mounted on Mast of the U.S.S. West Virginia in Memorial Plaza, West Virginia University, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
undated
Description:
"Mast of the battleship 'West Virginia', 1923-46. A tribute to her gallant crew and to all West Virginians who have served our country in the armed forces, May 11, 1963."
U.S.S. West Virginia Bell Prior to Installation, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1967
Description:
Bell of the U.S.S. West Virginia before installation on the campus of West Virginia University. The bell was dedicated on December 7, 1967, and joined the mast of the U.S.S. West Virginia in Memorial Plaza.
U.S.S. West Virginia Mast in Memorial Plaza, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1961-1963
Description:
The installation of U.S.S. West Virginia's mast nears completion at Memorial Plaza on the campus of West Virginia University. The Mountainlair and Stewart Hall are visible in the background.
Unidentified Crew Member of the U.S.S. West Virginia
Date:
ca. 1944-45
Description:
Photos are from an album belonging to a crew member of the U.S.S. West Virginia. William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
On the photo is a message reading, "All my love, Bill." Photos are from an album belonging to a crew member of the U.S.S. West Virginia. William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
Photos are from an album belonging to a member of the U.S.S. West Virginia. William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
Photos are from an album belonging to a member of the U.S.S. West Virginia. William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
The photo was taken from the deck of the U.S.S. West Virginia. Photos are from an album belonging to a member of the U.S.S. West Virginia. William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
Unidentified Crew Member of U.S.S. West Virginia Crew
Date:
ca. 1944-45
Description:
Photos are from an album belonging to a crew member of the U.S.S. West Virginia. William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Another battleship is visible in the background.
Photos are from an album belonging to a crew member of the U.S.S. West Virginia. William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
Photos are from an album belonging to a member of the U.S.S. West Virginia. William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
Severely Damaged U.S.S. West Virginia After December 7th Attack on Pearl Harbor, Hi.
Date:
ca. 1942
Description:
Men inspect the damage after the infamous Japanese attack. The "Wee Vee" as the ship was affectionately referred to, was raised from the bottom of Pearl Harbor where she was moored during the attack and towed to dry dock for repairs.
Gaping Wound on U.S.S. West Virginia, Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii
Date:
ca. 1942
Description:
Crew members during a salvage and repair operation work port side of the battered battleship. The U.S.S. West Virginia was hit by seven torpedoes and two bombs during the December 7th attack.
USN Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, U.S.S. West Virginia
Date:
ca. 1940
Description:
Captain Bennion was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. As he laid mortally wounded on the West Virginia's command bridge, Bennion refused to be removed from his burning ship. He continued to give orders, directing his crew's actions. Bennion's last order to his men before he died was to leave him and "abandon ship." Captain Bennion was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Crew members pal around during the crossing initiation ceremony, where sailors who have never crossed the equator before are "brought before Neptune" and tested.