European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 02, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse D � or that s not All Shower l a 4, image of Tho . Rattling its Saber around the world of speaking solely and carrying a big stick. News reports of the present Day Iowa s travels frequently Reler to president Reagan s use of the battleship in much the two weeks ago the Iowa mane Vered in International Waters near the russian coast and let Loose with a broadside that left even the most objective reporters leaping with great whoops like Kansas City schoolboys at the royals final world series game. Although a by official said they were not rattling any Saber at the russians Iowa commander capt. Gerald e. Gneckow said he was pleased to see russian and East German intelligence ships nearly during Maneu vers in the Baltic sea. And danish defense minister Hans Engell said gleefully this lets them know that the Baltic sea is not a solve Jake no doubt about it. The Iowa with its 1T-Nch-th, Armor Belt is a formidable weapon especially when used in conjunction with anti aircraft and Anvil. Submarine cruisers and destroyers. When he numbers the ship s assets Gneckow sometimes uses the phrase almost Invulnerable although he prefers the term it s Clear that Gneckow. And certainly most of his Crow Are of on the idea that they la be breathing air Long after the bad Guys Are sucking in water. But what do you do with such a Mons Erin peacetime apparently you show it off. Like King Kong chained to the stage. ,1985 and what a ship it is to show its Teakwood deck gives it a luxurious texture when viewed from the air. And it has a shape not like the strictly functional designs of modern vessels. One Sailor who admits to a love affair with the battleship said the Navy has loot its appreciation for the aesthetics of and a common expression heard on Board is. She s the Navy is using battleship Beauty to Muster Public support for its battleship program a program that s bringing Romance Back to sea. And it s working. When the service announced it was looking for a solid Core of experienced battleship veterans More than 4,000 retirees applied for just 200 Iowa Crew slots. Serving on a battleship is a prime assignment and Navy officials say commanding one is a sure Road to career progression. Wherever the Iowa goes. It brings thousands of visitors to its deck where commemorative baseball Caps lighters and posters Are hawked to a grateful Public. Thirteen thousand danish fans trumped the Teakwood at aarhus. More than 30.000 norwegians gawked in Oslo. Another 50.000 came on Board in Kiel Germany. And Gneckow pointed out that in its Home port of Norfolk va., the Iowa hosted As Many As 20,000 Navy visitors in one Day and these Are people who see too much of their ships at sea to be expected to visit one on their Day off. He said. In the Public attain office where tha shows Are coordinated. Iowa baseball Caps Are stacked in heaps in already cramped quarters a sate in Tho Coiner holds thousands of dollars profits irom sales that will bolster the ship s morale and welfare funds. Navy efforts to sell the ship As big and Beautiful Tough and romantic Are paying huge dividends in the press. Display cases in corridors show glowing stories of the battleship s return. Many stories begin with what else the big stick is Back Gneckow likes to show guest a videotape of an Abc television report about the battleship. It includes the personal Story of one Veteran an Arizona Carpenter who returned to serve. It glowed red. White and Blue. Only one member of the Crew. Chief Bosun s mate Ronald papa Cropp saw service on the same ship More than 30 years ago. He no longer gives interviews because he just wants to be left alone to do his Job said it. Cmdr. Charles Smith the Iowa s Public affairs officer. Someday soon the Story of this naval resurrection will also reach a Point of saturation and the battleships will be let alone to do their Job away irom the imagery of gunboats and showboat. Until then the Missouri and Wisconsin Are still to come and despite the warnings of critics who say there is no place in tue modern Navy for museum pieces the Navy s Public image is probably sitting prettier than that of any other service thanks to the battleship irresistible gunboat romantic showpiece. Yes it s Lough to to objective around Beauty. The stars and stripes Page 15
