World War II destroyermen log in at Missouri’s surrender deck, 27 August 2005. Click to view more photos.

On 27–28 August 2005, in celebration of the end of history’s most destructive war and of destroyers’ and destroyer escorts’ prominent role in bringing it about, approximately 240 destroyer and destroyer escort shipmates, family members and friends gathered at Pearl Harbor on the 60th anniversary of anchoring in victory and peace outside Tokyo Bay. With planning begun in 2002 by destroyerhistory.org webmaster Dave McComb, details were organized by Tin Can Sailors, whose executive director, Terry Miller, led the scheduled events.
   On Saturday, 27 August, the group went by bus to battleship Missouri at Ford Island. There, individuals logged in at the surrender deck on a table set with an original WWII ward room tablecloth from USS Ticonderoga, CV 14, courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga, just as it appeared in 1945 (see photo above).

Rear Admiral Mike Vitale during his address at dinner, 27 August 2005.

   A program was also held on Missouri’s fantail. Following an invocation by Chaplain Lt. Ron Rinaldi, Capt. Don Hess, USN (Ret.) welcomed visitors to the ship. Dave McComb introduced a commissioning pennant from Chevalier as a token representing those who did not make it to Tokyo Bay and gave historical background on the events of 60 years earlier. Nicholas navigator Doug Turpen read a letter home describing these same events from fellow officer Ralph Young, written the day after the surrender. Tom Kimmel, grandson of Admiral Husband Kimmel, presented The Story Within the Pearl Harbor Story. Finally, Dave McComb announced the founding of the Destroyer History Foundation and, recalling the spirit of Admiral Halsey’s message to the Third Fleet, 15 August 1945, gave thanks to destroyermen “for all that you did and all that you are.” A visit to USS Arizona Memorial followed.
   At dinner that evening, Rear Admiral Michael C. Vitale (above), Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group, Middle

Wreath laid at Tin Can Sailors’ monument, Punchbowl cemetery.

Pacific, gave an excellent presentation regarding the state of the Navy and of his command today, ending with a fine tribute to the destroyermen present that was warmly received and much remarked about in the following days.
   On Sunday, 28 August, a memorial service was held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (located in Honolulu’s “Punchbowl” crater). Dave McComb read an adaptation of A Chevalier Memoir. Regional Chaplain, Capt. Gene Theriot, then offered extended remarks in which he encouraged veterans to come forward and tell their stories now, for the benefit of today’s and future generations. A wreath was laid at the Tin Can Sailors monument with military honors. There followed a lunch cruise along Waikiki Beach from Honolulu Harbor and, for some, a tour of USS Lake Erie, CG 70.
   Many of those attending stayed in Hawaii until the following Friday, 2 September, for a celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the end of Word War II, again hosted by the Battleship Missouri Memorial.