My grandfather served on the USS Washington BB56. She was a N.Carolina class battle ship. The Washington sank more enemy tonage than any ship before or after her. She is also the only U.S. Battleship to have a sea to sea fight with an enemy battleship and sink it. He and 4 of his brothers joined at the same time. All saw action, some in the Philippines, Europe, the N.Atlantic and the pacific . A navy admiral may or may not have committed suicide on her also. Not sure if he jumped or fell over board. I have a few things of his including this.
It reads " to all sailors were ever ye may be: into all mermaids,whales,sea,serpents,porpoises,sharks dolphins,eels,skates,suckers,crabs,lobsters and all other living things of the sea:GREETINGS: know ye that on this third day of September 1942 in latitude 00000 and longitude 100° west there appeared within our royal domain the USS Washington bound south for the equator and for the Southseas to hunt japs. Be it remembered that the said vessel and officers and crew there of been inspected and passed on by ourselves in the Royal staff and it be known by: All ye sailors Marines and landlubbers and others who may be honored by his presence that Francis Frederick Farney having been found worthy to be numbered as one of our trustee shall backs he has been duly initiated into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of The Deep. Be it further understood that by virtue of power invested in me I do hereby commanded all my subjects to show do honor and respect him wherever he may be disobey this order under penalty of our Royal displeasure given under our hand and seal this third day of September 1942"
I thought it was great that the Navy actually have these out!!