Crossing The Line
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DEDICATION:  To all Pollywogs,-----the Officers, Midshipmen and Crew of the USS Wisconsin (BB-64), who, on June 19, 1953, at Latitude 000.0', Longitude 36042.1', were initiated by a handful of Shellbacks into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep.

May your memories of this day be longer than we left your hair, warmer than we left your pants and tenderer than we left your posterior.
                                                                                                                 Neptune Rex and
                                                                                                                        His Royal Entourage

The following photos were taken by the Ship's Photographers:  B. Burton, PH2, M. Fulton, SN, D. Menta, SA, F. Shelton, SN.

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001 Crossing The Line 6-19-53 Book Cover.jpg (65398 bytes)		 2
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The night before crossing the line the Pollywogs were out to get the Shellbacks.		 19
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Photos 25-27 Davy Jones Lookout Watch		 26
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Chaplain, CDR Wells, 2nd from left in the group of three.
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Davy Jones
(  J. V. Smith )
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J.G. Brunderis, Davy Jones, Capt. R.J. Foley		 30

King Neptune and His Royal Court Arrives		 31

Prior to ceremonies		 32

Chaplain Kapalczynski
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Royal dentist M. D. Pistorio		 34

The initation began early in the morning and ended late in the evening.		 35
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King Neptune 
L.C. Hemmingsen		 36
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Kiss the Royal Baby's Belly
(Royal baby  F. A. Cruz )		 40
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Marine Capt. W. H. Draper		 42
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Captain Draper		 43
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Just take a little off the top.		 48
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BM1 J.N. Hreno-3rd Div.		 50 

Marine M/Sgt. R. H. Parker		 51
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Shellback dinner menu
June 19, 1953
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Inside menu.		    

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Send E-mail to Dom Menta with questions or comments about this web-site.
The information contained in this web-site is © 1998/2008 to the USS Wisconsin Association. 
If you desire to use graphics or other info from this web-site - please E-mail  Dom Menta
This page was last updated on 01/06/08 .