Naval Museums in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battleship Wisconsin: BB-9 and BB-64
in the Homeport of Naval History
During World War II, the second battleship Wisconsin (BB-64) was commissioned under the command of U.S. Navy Captain Earl E. Stone. Born in the “Badger State” of Wisconsin, Stone earlier served as a Naval Academy Midshipman aboard the first battleship Wisconsin (BB-9). Surviving the Imperial Japanese strikes at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Stone had a key role in organizing the war-winning communications intelligence efforts of the U.S. Navy. For a job well done, he received the highly coveted appointment to command the second battleship Wisconsin (BB-64) in the spring 1944.
Sailing into the embattled waters of the Pacific, the crew of the second battleship Wisconsin earned five battle stars during World War II. Home-ported at Pier 7 on Norfolk Naval Base, the second Wisconsin earned another battle star in the Korean War and, similar to the first Wisconsin (BB-9), server primarily as a Midshipman training ship during the Cold War. During the Persian Gulf War, the crew of Wisconsin (BB-64) coordinated the first Tomahawk missile strikes against Iraq.
Erected by City of Norfolk.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 7, 1941.
Location. 36° 50.862′ N, 76° 17.654′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Naval Museums. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Waterside Drive and Boush Street. This marker sits on the dock that houses the Battleship Wisconsin. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Waterside Dr, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battleship Wisconsin: A Floating Fortress (here, next to this marker); Battleship Wisconsin: Berthed in Norfolk, (here, next to this marker); Surveying the Land & Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Battleship Wisconsin: Quad 40 Mount (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cannonball Trail (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Cannonball Trail (about 300 feet away); Battleship Wisconsin: Wis + Ky = “Wisky” (about 300 feet away); Half Moone Fort, 1673 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.
More about this marker. This marker is part of the Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail
Additional keywords. Battleship Wisconsin: BB-9 and BB-64 | Battleship Wisconsin: BB-9 and BB-64
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,612 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on August 6, 2022, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.