Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Enemies No More
U.S.S. North Carolina
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
1. Enemies No More Marker
Enemies No More
For several years the former enemies corresponded at length about what happened on the fateful afternoon of September 15, 1942. Through extensive research Captain Blee revealed that the Japanese submarine had fired Type 95, Mod I torpedoes capable of running 13,000 yards at 45 knots. It was possible that the torpedoes that missed the WASP could have struck BB55.
In June 1986, a small delegation of I-19 men and BB55 wartime crew members met for a joint reunion in Wilmington. They discussed in detail the American and Japanese roles in the action. As a memento Captain Blee presented a framed fragment of the original torpedo. In turn, a plaque in English and Japanese commemorates the friendship between two old enemies.
(captions)
"In 1983, I discovered that 14 men of the 1942 I-19 crew were alive and well in Japan. It was like learning of both a resurrection and a gold mine of history."
Captain Ben Blee, USN (Ret)
"My heart was filled with fond feeling that I was able to meet these comrades after 40 years. If only all the people of the world can proceed hand in hand with courage and determination to maintain peace in the world after the pattern set by this reunion! We have a solemn obligation to convey this feeling to our descendants."
Shichiro Tange
Erected by Friends of the Battleship North Carolina.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 34° 14.187′ N, 77° 57.3′ W. Memorial is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It can be reached from Battleship Road NE 0.2 miles U.S.S. North Carolina Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1 Battleship Road
this page online
Regionally, this memorial 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 of this marker: Torpedoes Headed for Formation (here, next to this marker); Focus on Focsle Equipment (a few steps from this marker); 1.1-inch Quadruple Mount Gun (a few steps from this marker); 20mm Clipping Room (a few steps from this marker); 20MM Anti-Aircraft Guns (within shouting distance of this marker); The Captains of the USS North Carolina (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle Ribbons and Kill Board (within shouting distance of this marker); Captains Sea Cabin
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
2. Enemies No More Marker (left)
Also see . . . Enemies No More. U.S. Naval Institute website entry (Submitted on April 16, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed by Larry Gertner, 1944
3. USS North Carolina (BB-55), 1941-1961
Naval History and Heritage Command website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 148 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on June 27, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
