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Page 4 MANLEY NOTES REACH OUT AND FEEL THE PRIDE Old Sailors, Hospitality Rooms, Final Cruises They come to remember ship-mates from long ago and wait patiently to see a familiar face come through the door; they lin-ger anxiously for the chance to share one sea story more. Old sailors have come to sit and chew the fat ‘bout things that use to be, ‘bout places they’ve been, ‘bout adventures at sea. They come to laugh at the good and the bad, at the money they’ve spilled and the beer they’ve swilled in their days when sailing the main. Their lives are lived in days gone by with memories of Dixie cup hats, bell bottom blues, fad-ing tattoos, of dragons on the sleeve, and unyielding pride. They easily recall mad dog chiefs and baby-face ensigns, boiler rooms, signal bridges, ra-dio rooms, and liberty call. They talk about the long mid-watches and the lousy mid-rats, standing alone under a moon that sparkled like crystal upon a moving sea, watching for other ships and other sailors; they faintly bring back the thoughts they had as youthful lads when their lives were unbridled and free. They taste the bread Ole Cookie would bake and shutter at the shrill of the bo’sun’s pipe, of general quarters and canons booming and drills and drills and more drills. The remember how they were molded into pros. They rode their gray stallion through many a storm when the sea was showing its might, and towering waves were digging their graves as they steamed through the dark of night. These Old Sailors can remem-ber the many innocent they yanked from the mouth of angry waters, the urgent walk ashore to take back hostages held with-out consent by crazed rebels with a fuzzy cause. They know so well how their hearts would swell when the flag fluttered proud and free, and the stars and stripes made such beautiful music as they plowed through an unfriendly sea. Soon their sailing days will go away, never more will they cross the brow or render a snappy sa-lute or utter a sharp aye-aye, sir! But they have no regrets for they know confidently they’ve been blessed ‘cause they honored their sacred vow. They served well and with honor. Yes, they remember mates already gone who forever hold a page or two in these stories unfolding today that tell of sailors bold. Our numbers grow less with each passing day as our chits in this life are called, but they’ve nothing to lose for they’ve paid their dues and they’ll sail with their shipmates once again. I’ve heard them say before getting underway that there is still some sailing to do, and they’ll exclaim with a grin that their ship has come in, and the Lord is com-manding the crew...but one last prayer, sir, before we go - please leave us with these cherished memories.
Page 5
MANLEY NOTES
REACH OUT AND FEEL THE PRIDE
BATTLESHIP
WISCONSIN
U.S.S. WISCONSIN (BB-64)
The battleship Wisconsin (BB-64), one of the famous Iowa-class ships, was
launched on December 7, 1943 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and commis-
sioned on April 16, 1944.  The warship reported for duty in the Pacific with
the 3rd Fleet when the liberation of the Philippine Islands was underway. 
Wisconsin helped neutralize Japanese sea, air and ground forces occupying
the islands.  BB-64 was reassigned to the 5th Fleet in February 1945 and
supported the landings on Iwo Jima and Okinawa.  The battleship’s World
War II career concluded with the transport of war-weary GI’s back to the
U.S.
Wisconsin entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet in 1948, only to be Recommis-
sioned in March 1951 for the Korean War.  She steamed to the Pacific and
assumed her station as flagship for the U.S. 7th Fleet.  The battleship pro-
vided gunfire support for American, Korean and other United Nations troops
on the Korean peninsula until relieved in April 1952.
Wisconsin embarked on a series of training missions in the ensuing years. 
She once again entered the inactive fleet in 1958, where she remained until
1988, when she was reactivated.  The ship carried new Tomahawk and Har-
poon missiles in addition to her 16-inch guns when she steamed to the Per-
sian Gulf in 1990 for Operation Desert Storm.  After effective use of missiles
and high explosives in the desert conflict, the battleship returned home to be
decommissioned for the third time in September 1991.
Wisconsin remains in the Inactive Fleet, reserved for national emergencies. 
The Hampton Roads Naval Museum, in cooperation with Nauticus, interprets
the ship’s history.  Plans do exist to transfer the vessel from the Inactive
Fleet to the city of Norfolk in the near future.
Reunion Tips
*Complete and mail your reun-
ion registration as soon as prac-
tical
*Make your hotel room reserva-
tions by calling 1-800-422-7474 
*Second installment (25% of to-
tal) is due for those who regis-
tered before June 1
*For those submitting their regis-
trations after June 1, registration
fee plus 50% of the total is due
with your registration
*Invoices will be mailed to all
registrants about October 1and
will reflect all charges and pay-
ments
*A reunion package will be
mailed about February 1 to all
registrants and will include driv-
ing directions to the hotel, in-
structions for obtaining compli-
mentary shuttle from the airport
to the hotel and more
*A list of all attendees will be
available in the hospitality room
*Name tags and other informa-
tion will be available at check-in
on April 19
Norfolk to roll out red carpet
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