Life aboard the USS Wisconsin was an unique expereince. My grandfather Frank Chapman served on the Wisconsin during WW2 and Korea. The crew worked in shifts seven days a week in their off time they would sleep in a small bunk or hammock that had just been used by the man who was off shift. Despite the hardships of living at sea in such proximity to other people along with the constant worry about being killed, the sailors were generally proud to serve. Grandpa Frank along with the other sailors were proud of America, proud of the Wisconsin, and were proud to be in the Navy. Boredom was the dominant emotion, followed by brief intense fear when in combat. Despite the hardships, cramped quarters, bad food, risk of death, seperation from home and family, boredom and others most men were proud of their time on board and were proud of the United States of America. This sentiment seems to be common over the four decades the Wisconsin served. Whether it was shelling Japanese positions in 1943 or firing tomahawk cruise missiles at Iraqi positions in 1991 pride was the common factor linking its crew.
s Phillip Roth in The Plot Against America uses his stamp collection as a shared experience with his country and fellow Americans but it also plays an important figure with the idea of network. The mail system is one of the oldest networks in our country. This symbol of connectivity and shared expierence is similiar to the USS Wisconsin patch. Whether it was my Grandfather wearing it in 1952 off the coast of Korea or a sailor wearing it off the coast of Kuwait in 1991 they use the patch to share an experience and connect thier experiences despite the great distance of time.
Patch worn by sailors on USS Wisconsin
Crew on board USS Wisconsin
USS Wisconsin firing her guns during the 1991 gulf war
David's Blog 