Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Captains of the USS North Carolina

U.S.S. North Carolina

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. The Captains of the USS North Carolina Marker

Inscription.

The Captains of the USS North Carolina. U.S.S. North Carolina. , Captains , During her six-year naval career, North Carolina had nine captains. They all graduated from the United States Naval Academy. Commanding North Carolina was a prestigious position and a steppingstone to admiral for all her captains. All but one captain was promoted to admiral upon leaving this Ship and he was promoted later. , , The captain is the officer in charge of the Ship. The commanding officer is responsible for the Ship's operation, fighting efficiency, and the officers and enlisted men. His authority over the Ship is absolute. , , Captains Cabin , The Captain's Quarters is a suite of compartments: office and dining, bedroom, bathroom, and pantry. , , The captain dined alone unless he invited Ship's officers to join him. He could also be invited to the officers' Wardroom (dining compartment) on the main deck. Forward interior ladders connect the Captain's Cabin with decks below and the Admiral's Cabin above. , , This area also had five staterooms for senior and staff officers. A guest room across from the Pantry was modified into a 40mm ammunition ready storage room. , , While at sea, the captain used his cabin near the Bridge on the 04 level, three decks above. , , This area currently houses Battleship offices and is not open to the public. , , [The Captains:] , Olaf M. Hustvedt April 9, 1941 - October 23, 1941 Class of 1909 , Oscar C. Badger October 23, 1941 - June 1, 1942 Class of 1911 , George H. Fort June 1, 1942 - December 5, 1942 Class of 1912 , Wilder D. Baker December 5, 1942 - May 27, 1943 Class of 1914 , Frank P. Thomas May 27, 1943 - October 6, 1944 Class of 1914 , Timothy J. O'Brien February 1, 1946 - June 27, 1947 Class of 1920 , , Crew Memories , "My commanding officers were, without exception, fine, excellent men. I only got to know them for about six months, because at that time, they were always detached and went on up to flag ranks (admiral), with the exception of one man. But every one of them went ahead and had distinguished careers during World War II as flag officers. All commanded the respect of the crew. I was always very happy to be with any of them." CDR Joe Stryker, Executive Officer , (captions) , The Captain’s Cabin , The Captain’s Stateroom , Above: Captain Frank Thomas (right) relieves Captain Wilder Baker, May 27, 1943. , Below: Captain Byron Hanion (right) relieves Captain Oswald Colclough, June 15, 1945.

Captains
During her six-year naval career, North Carolina had nine captains. They all graduated from the United States Naval Academy. Commanding North Carolina was a prestigious position and a steppingstone to admiral for all her captains. All but one captain was promoted to admiral upon leaving this Ship and he was promoted later.

The captain is the officer in charge of the Ship. The commanding officer is responsible for the Ship's operation, fighting efficiency, and the officers and enlisted men. His authority over the Ship is absolute.

Captains Cabin
The Captain's Quarters is a suite of compartments: office and dining, bedroom, bathroom, and pantry.

The captain dined alone unless he invited Ship's officers to join him. He could also be invited to the officers' Wardroom (dining compartment) on the main deck. Forward interior ladders connect the Captain's Cabin with decks below and the Admiral's Cabin above.

This area also had five staterooms for senior and staff officers. A guest room across from the Pantry was modified into a 40mm ammunition ready storage room.

While at sea, the captain

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

used his cabin near the Bridge on the 04 level, three decks above.

This area currently houses Battleship offices and is not open to the public.

[The Captains:]
Olaf M. Hustvedt April 9, 1941 - October 23, 1941 Class of 1909
Oscar C. Badger October 23, 1941 - June 1, 1942 Class of 1911
George H. Fort June 1, 1942 - December 5, 1942 Class of 1912
Wilder D. Baker December 5, 1942 - May 27, 1943 Class of 1914
Frank P. Thomas May 27, 1943 - October 6, 1944 Class of 1914
Timothy J. O'Brien February 1, 1946 - June 27, 1947 Class of 1920

Crew Memories
"My commanding officers were, without exception, fine, excellent men. I only got to know them for about six months, because at that time, they were always detached and went on up to flag ranks (admiral), with the exception of one man. But every one of them went ahead and had distinguished careers during World War II as flag officers. All commanded the respect of the crew. I was always very happy to be with any of them." CDR Joe Stryker, Executive Officer
(captions)
The Captain’s Cabin
The Captain’s Stateroom
Above: Captain Frank Thomas (right) relieves Captain Wilder Baker, May 27, 1943.
Below: Captain Byron Hanion (right) relieves Captain Oswald Colclough, June 15, 1945.

Erected by Friends

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. The Captains of the USS North Carolina Marker

of the Battleship North Carolina.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 34° 14.191′ N, 77° 57.278′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is on Battleship Road NE 0.2 miles south of U.S.S. North Carolina Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Battleship Road NE, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

USS North Carolina (BB-55) 1941-1961 image. Click for more information.

via Naval History and Heritage Command, 1944

3. USS North Carolina (BB-55) 1941-1961

Naval History and Heritage Command website entry
Click for more information.

of this marker: 20mm Clipping Room (a few steps from this marker); 1.1-inch Quadruple Mount Gun (a few steps from this marker); Captain’s Sea Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Battle Ribbons and Kill Board (a few steps from this marker); 20MM Anti-Aircraft Guns (a few steps from this marker); Chart House (a few steps from this marker); Navigating At Sea (a few steps from this marker); The Navigators (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Captains- Battleship NC. (Submitted on April 15, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. U.S.S. North Carolina — Charlotte ((Armored Cruiser No. 12/CA 12). (Submitted on April 15, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 419 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 15, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on April 24, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.