West Freemason in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

USS Belknap (CG 26)

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010

1. USS Belknap (CG 26) Marker

Inscription. On 22 November 1975, the cruiser USS Belknap (CG 26) collided with the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) during night maneuvers in the Ionian Sea. As the carrier's overhanging flight deck sheared off Belknap's superstructure, Kennedy's refueling lines were ruptured. Thousands of gallons of aviation fuel poured onto Belknap, erupting into a raging inferno.
Belknap's crew, aided by the USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG 5) and USS Bordelon (DD 881) battled fires and exploding munitions for over six hours to save Belknap.
Seven Belknap sailors and one Kennedy sailor lost their lives.

Erected by This memorial is dedicated by their Belknap shipmates.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is November 22, 1975.

Location. 36° 50.919′ N, 76° 17.664′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in West Freemason. Marker is on Bousch Street near Wisconsin Square ft of Harbor St.. Right side of Battle Ship Wisconsin on walkway headed toward the Chinese Pagoda Restaurant, & Garden. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 12 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. USS Iowa (BB-61) (here, next to this marker); USS Cole (DDG 67) (here, next to this marker); USS Nimitz (CVN-68)

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(here, next to this marker); USS Scorpion (SSN-589) (here, next to this marker); USS Newport News CA-148 (here, next to this marker); The Pentagon (here, next to this marker); USS Kearsarge (CV-33) (here, next to this marker); USS Liberty AGTR-5 (here, next to this marker); USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59 (here, next to this marker); Naval Special Warfare (here, next to this marker); The Lone Sailor (here, next to this marker); The Cannonball Trail (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Also see . . . USS Belknap (CG 26). In 1995, the BELKNAP was decommissioned and about 3 1/2 years later she became the "victim" of a Sinkex of the Navy. The BELKNAP was sunk on September 24, 1998, off the east coast of the United States. The exact location is 036° 31' 00.3" North, 071° 58' 00.5" West. (Submitted on August 27, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Additional commentary.

Wisconsin Square Dedciated May 2002 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010

2. Wisconsin Square Dedciated May 2002

1. This memorial honors the ultimate sacrifice of
MM1 James W. Cass,
MM2 Douglas Freeman,
EM2 Michael Kowola,
DS2 Gordon St. Marie,
STG3 Brent Lassen,
DS3 Gerald Ketcham,
FA David Messmer

— Submitted August 27, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.

2. Memorial
For the first time in my life I was beginning to feel like I had come home. I absolutely loved the sea, I loved my ship and I loved the guys in my division. I was a teenage jerk when I enlisted, but I was finally learning what it means to take pride in myself, my work, my ship and my nation's flag. Subsequently, I also learned a deep new level of pain and sense of loss. I sincerely believe I would have made a career of the Navy, but things just didn't work out that way. I will, however, forever look back on November 22, 1975 with a bittersweet sense of haunting pride, awe, and pain. And for the friends I lost, RIP mates. You will never be forgotton.
Robert Allport DAV/USN

— Submitted January 4, 2014, by Allport, Robert E. of Winston Salem, North Carolina.

USS Belknap (CG 26) Marker on the right image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2022

3. USS Belknap (CG 26) Marker on the right

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,879 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 27, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on January 19, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.