20.
Sept. 17, 2019

I wanted to let people know that have posted on this message board about the USS Maryland during 1928, that the Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum (in West Branch, Iowa) will be be displaying information about the Maryland (and the USS Utah) during an upcoming exhibit. The exhibit is titled, Viva Hoover! The 1928 Goodwill Tour and will be on display November 16, 2019-January 28, 2020. 

Best,
Melanie Wier
Assistant Curator Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum
210 Parkside Drive
P.O. Box 488
West Branch, IA

19.
Nov. 29, 2017

My late father, Henry Holt Stokes, served aboard the U.S.S. Chester during WWII. Our family is very proud of him, his character and his honorable service in the United States Navy. After his passing, I was fortunate enough to receive his "dress whites" and with them was a small box in one of the pant pockets. Inside this box, I found a pin belonging to another sailor. His name: CDR. BOWMAN. Ship: USS MARYLAND. On the front:2 large "fish" with the battleship Maryland between them. On the back:USS MARYLAND, CDR. BOWMAN, V-21-N and the word, "Congratulations". I am attempting to contact any surviving family members of CDR. BOWMAN and return this most awesome pin to its rightful owners. Any help would be most appreciated.

Sincerely,
James Harpe Stokes

18.
Nov. 22, 2016

Trying to find out some information on my cousin Cpt. Carl L Steiner. He was on board Maryland on December 7th 1941 when Pearl Harbor was under attack. I was told he was the captain of Maryland that day. There are stories that say differently. I spoke to two people who were on board that day several years ago who said he was the captain. Trying to find out if he was the captain after Maryland was repaired and back to sea or when he was really the captain of Maryland. Hopefully you may be able to shed some light on this matter. I know he was in charge of recruiting in 1955 as he enlisted me into the Navy.

Best Regards,
Al Becker
Baltimore, Maryland

17.
Mar. 30, 2016

My father was on the Maryland from 1924 until 1939, he was CBM Edwin Grady Hershiser (393346) and was CBM in charge of deck forces during that time. I have photos of him with the Hoover party in South America, and other photos of him on the ship. He joined the Navy in 1911 and retired in 1931, then was recalled during WWII, but declared fit for shore duty only. He also served on the New Hampshire, and spent time at Naval Air Station Pearl Harbor, helping to get it set up.

Below are a couple of photos of the Hoovers on the trip to Chile in 1928. They went down on the USS Maryland, and returned on the USS Utah. My dad was a part of the shore party. He was the CBM in charge of Deck forces on the Maryland and held the rating of Chief Master at Arms. I have included a picture of him taken after he was recalled for WWII.

Chuck Hershiser
USAF, Retired

Chief Boatswain's Mate Edwin Grady "Ted" Hershiser.

President-elect Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou Henry Hoover seen on USS Maryland BB-46 in Dec. of 1928.

Dec. 1928. CBM Edwin "Ted" Hershiser (front row, second from left) and a group of unidentified men seen in Chile.

16.
Mar. 25, 2016

My father served in USS Maryland from 1924 to 1929. He was CBM Edwin Grady Hershiser (393346) and was CBM in charge of deck forces during that time. I have photos of him with the Hoover party in South America, and other photos of him on the ship. He joined the Navy in 1911 and retired in 1931, then was recalled during WWII, but declared fit for shore duty only. I can send photos of his Continuous Service Record showing the times he was on the Maryland. He also served on the New Hampshire, and spent time at Naval Air Station Pearl Harbor, helping to get it set up. Let me know if you are interested in any of this information.

Yours, 
Chuck Hershiser
USAF, Retired

15.
Mar. 3, 2016

My father, Harold Lehman, served on the Maryland during WWII. I stumbled across this message board and saw the picture of the small ship bell made from the original bell. I know my dad worked or had access to the machine or metal shop aboard the Maryland. I always assumed the mounting of the bell was done after he got home, seeing the other bell posted tells me otherwise. Also, his has a bronze plaque mounted to the base. Can anyone tell me when these bells were made? Were they cast on the Maryland? I also have a bronze ashtray which says"USS Maryland".

Thanks,
Mark Lehman

14.
Aug. 10, 2012

I have a Cruisebook from my Great Uncle FC3 Ken Haverland. He was on Maryland from '28 to '30. He has some interesting memorabilia from the cruise to Latin America with Hoover and then the time afterward in the Northwest. Is this of interest to any one?

Theodore Kaehler

13.
July 12, 2012

I see people asking just what I am going to ask, is there some kind of crew listing  for the years 1943 - 1945. Ernest Leslie Baldwin my father talked all the time about his ship. He passed July 13, 2003, my nephew made a page on Facebook for the Mary, but we do not know much, have had a few people add to page. Just need to know. He talked about the Kamikaze  bombers and how one hit the deck, in doing some research they have it documented. I think I have some pics too, in his stuff. I would just like to know the crew when he was there so I cam post it on the page.

Thank you,
Karen Daulton
Daughter of Ernest Leslie Baldwin

12.
June 21, 2012

My uncle, Don Sigler was on the Maryland during the attack on Pearl Harbor I am told. Any way to confirm this?

Ray Skelton

11.
June 7, 2012

My grampa is Francis A. Haklitch he was a chief! Oh he is still my hero though he is passed. I have some old photos of him on the ship, but they have a lot of water damage. Would you possibly be able to find anything of him?

Thank you,
Shelby Madere

10.
Oct. 30, 2011

My grandfather George W. Huss served on the ship in 1928 and I have two leather bound Logalbums with many pictures of the crew, ship and many places the ship visited. I also have a picture of President Hoover standing on the deck when they were heading to South America. I have two larger framed pictures one of the entire crew and another of the ship broadside. Both of those I have on the wall in my office. My grandfather served on the #3 turret crew under Libaldriech with Traka, Akins, Saatboof, Ragon, Buster Chase and Scagorough (I have a picture of this group). 

There are pictures of other ships and earlier model planes. The last picture in one of the Logalbums is of the USS Maryland's 1927-1928 Baseball team that won the Seattle Times Cup.  My grandfather and I had a wonderful relationship hunting, fishing and playing baseball. He never talked much about his time in the Navy but he taught me how to tie many knots which I'm sure he learned during his time in the Navy. He also had about 20 of his naval buddies sign the Logalbum and then entered a description or a nickname of the person. Damm I sure miss him, he passed away Nov. 8th 1990.

R. Todd Underhill

9.
July 21, 2011

I believe my father Arthur Farrow Burns was on the USS Maryland in 1941. He was an Electrician's Mate 2nd Class. He was discharged on the 14th day of March 1941, service #356-02-81. Do you have any info. Was he on the ship during Pearl Harbor Attack? I am writing info for a family reunion.  He passed away February 2, 2001. Thanking you in advance.

Nita Radominski

8.
Dec. 7, 2010

My grandfather, Morris (Sam) W. Walker, was on the USS Maryland in 1941 in Pearl Harbor. I've searched at length for a listing of its crew but cannot find his name anywhere. After viewing the USS Maryland BB-46 Message Board, I decided to email you.

Vic Miller
Heiskell, Tennessee

7.
Jan. 11, 2010

My father, Andres Garcia, served on the Maryland sometime between 1942 and 1945. I would like to know where I can find out about his time on board or if anyone out there knows of him. My dad was from the Rio Grand Valley of Texas. Due to an illness, my mom flushed all my dad's ribbons and medals, can I get any of those replaced? I would like to encase those with his flag.

Aurora Crone

6.
Oct. 8, 2009

I am in search of some info on my birth father, Robert E. Cody. He was assigned to the Maryland. He was on the ship at Pearl Harbor during the attack. Wondering if I could get any suggestions about collecting more information on him. I believe he passed in 1996.

Thank you,
Celeste Tzikas

5.
Sept. 12, 2009

I too am in possession of a shellback certificate signed by President Hoover from Nov. 30, 1928. This belonged to my Grandfather Edward M. Bowen SMM1c. This certificate along with my fathers medals and medals I earned are hanging on the wall in my home. The burial flags for both my grandfather and father also are on display in my home.  Any information or photos of the crew from this era would be appreciate.

Thanks,
Edward L. Bowen, AT1c USN (Ret)

4.
June 29, 2009

I have a Herbert Hoover signed Domain of Neptunus Rex (see below) certificate dated Nov. 30, 1928.  It also has 79 additional signatures.  I have seen the posted messages from Jeff Barnhart, Rick Badwey and George Cox regarding the crossing of the voyage to South America and the signing of the certificate .  I can see that the certificate is reported to be $200 to $400.  I am interested in the value of this certificate with the additional signatures.

Sincerely,
AS

3.
May 25, 2009

I recently purchased a book US Navy Training Course "SEAMAN 1c" dated 1931 and inside was a Subpoena and Summons Extraordinary to a Seaman 2c C.C. Fee, dated  December 1, 1928 (During President Herbert Hoover's Latin America tour) to appear before the "Royal Court of the Raging Main" to become a ...SHELLBACK on the USS Maryland. Longitude 81 degree 47' West, Latitude 0 degrees, 0' 00" I noticed that one person had listed her/his Grandfather's SHELLBACK certificate for this tour. Does anyone know this Seaman 2c C.C. FEE or have a ship's roster?

Tim Stidhams,
Puyallup, Washington

2.
Dec. 20, 2008

I'm not quite sure where to look to find the information needed. My grandfather was in the navy I believe between 1941 and 1945. His name is Norman Crowder. At some point he was stationed on the Maryland. I
know he was on her for sure on Nov. 12, 1942 because I have his framed document "Domain of Neptunus Rex".

He was a metalworker on board and I have a bell made by him that he said they made it from the original melted down bell off the Maryland. I was told that they made some for the majority of the metalworkers on the ship,
not sure if the whole crew got one. I'm looking for as much information on these bells as I can find such as how many were made and who got them.

The engraving on the bottom says USS Maryland 1943. I'm also interested in knowing if my grandfather was on the Maryland at the time of Pearl Harbor. Any information you can give me would be much appreciated.

Thank you very much,
Rich Hale

The bell.

Crossing the line certificate.

1.
Aug. 12, 2007

I am wanting information on the USS Maryland concerning the date of November 30, 1928. My grandfather was on board the Maryland at that time. He talked about crossing the equator with President Hoover being aboard the ship. I have a document, Domain Neptunus Rex, that is signed by Hoover. I want to know if this is Hoover's signature. I'm curious if any of the crew from that 1928 voyage are still living. The paper also includes my grandfather's name and rank. Are there any photographs available of this experience? How would I find/obtain a photo of the USS Maryland crossing the equator if they are in existence?

Jeff Barnhart

A Herbert Hoover signed Domain of Neptunus Rex certificate.

(Courtesy of Rick Badwey)