Epilogue

17 December 1969

Now it is over for the Dreadnought. No blue water flows beneath her keel. Her nation’s ensign and her commission pennant have been hauled down. Her guns have been silenced (the only way they could be) from within. Her crew has gone away. She lies chained in slack water and the only gulls fly from her masts. NEW JERSEY has, indeed, rejoined her sisters, IOWA, MISSOURI, and WISCONSIN.

Those of us who were privileged to serve in her during her third call to the colors look back on this period of service with pride and, perhaps, will remember it as the highlight of our careers. It will be the highlight of mine because of our long association. We met for the first time in July 1943 at Annapolis. In August 1946, I reported on board for her duty as a newly commissioned officer. In August 1969, I found myself as her Captain and charged with the heart-rending task of terminating her third tour on the active rolls. In all likelihood this may have been her final tour, therefore, it is only fair to ask what would she want said and remembered of her glorious career.

She would want all to remember that she was a born fighting ship and remained that way to the end.

She would want it remembered that in three wars, she bore her nation’s flag into battle in freedom’s cause and not once was it defiled while entrusted in her care.

She would want it remembered that she gave her all and no one expected any less.

She would like it remembered that she lead a charmed life in action against America’s foes and only once did an enemy shell take one of her crewman from her.

She would want it remembered that in her last days she was awarded the Secretary of the Navy’s Navy Unit Commendation for peerless performance against the enemy in Vietnam and that her passing saddened the Marines still fighting there.

She would want it remembered that she always stands ready to render "FIREPOWER FOR FREEDOM."

She departed proudly knowing that she found her way into the hearts of people everywhere, many of whom mourned at her passing.

It was, of course, inevitable that NEW JERSEY would pass into history, that her magnificent crew would break up and the many fine men would go their separate ways. But wherever they have gone they have done so with the admiration and respect of the undersigned whose privilege it was to be their Commanding Officer on the Battleship NEW JERSEY. If in the course of events it becomes necessary to sound the call again for a battleship, it is my belief that NEW JERSEY will answer her fourth call and thanks to these wonderful men she is ready.

Until that foreseen call is sounded, it is indeed, DREADNOUGHT FAREWELL