Press Release and Background Material Related to the Launching of the USS Missouri

012044-1 Headquarters of the COMMANDANT, THIRD NAVAL DISTRICT Federal Office Building, 90 Church Street FOR RELEASE: PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE All Papers of Monday Telephone: :REctor 2-9100 January 24, 1944 Extensions: 260-262-740 CONF IDENTIAL NOTE TO EDITORS, NOT FOR PUBLICATION: Launching of the Battleship MISSOURI is scheduled for 1:03 P. M. Saturday, January 29, 1944. The exact or approximate time may not be made public until after the ceremony but radio schedules in Saturday morning papers may announce the time at which broadcasts will begin. The news release and background material submitted herewith are for release in all papers of Monday, January 24, 1944, and thereafter. The USS MISSOURI, a 45,000-ton battleship, will be launched at the Navy Yard New York, Brooklyn, on Saturday, January 29, it was an- nounced today by Rear Admiral Monroe Kelly, U.S.N., Commandant of the Navy Yard. The MISSOURI will be the fourth battleship of her class. She also will be the eighty-fifth ship to be launched at the Navy Yard, New York. A sister ship, the USS IOWA, was launched at the Yard August 27, 1942. The USS NEW JERSEY and the USS WISCONSIN were launch- ed at other yards. Present plans call for the completion of the MISSOURI at least nine months ahead of schedule because of accelerated production in the Navy Yard. Construction of the ship was authorized by Act of Congress on May 17, 1939 and the work was assigned to the Navy Yard, New York, on June 12, 1940. The keel was laid January 6, 1941. Sponsor of the ship will be Miss Mary Margaret Truman, only child of Senator and Mrs. Harry S. Truman of Independence, Missouri. Miss Truman is a sophomore at George Washington University. She was born in Independence, and attended schools there and in Kansas City prior to matriculating in the University. At present, she is making her home with her parents in Washington, D. C. Because of wartime restrictions and the desire to avoid inter- ference with other vital work in the Yard, the ceremonies will be simple and brief. A few distinguished guests, naval personnel and Yard workers will witness the ceremony. Rear Admiral Kelly will introduce the distinguished guests and the sponsor. The U. S. Navy Band of the Navy Yard and the Shipfitter's Shop Band will provide music. Several radio stations will broadcast the ceremonies. When the ship slides down the ways, Yard workers will resume their jobs. For reasons of security, detailed specifications of the USS MISSOURI cannot be disclosed. The Navy, however, has released certain facts about the ship. Her main batteries will consist of 16-inch guns, These, togeth- er with her other armament, will make her the most formidable craft afloat. (more) is NARA