Battleship Missouri Memorial Commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Recommissioning of the USS Missouri
Posted on 5/11/26.A ceremony honoring returning crewmembers and the opening of a new onboard exhibit
Pearl Harbor, HI – (May 11, 2026) – The Battleship Missouri Memorial commemorated the 40th anniversary of the USS Missouri’s recommissioning with a special ceremony aboard the historic battleship at Ford Island, welcoming 37 returning crew members who served during the ship’s Cold War reactivation.
“The recommissioning of the USS Missouri represents more than a return to service—it reflects the strength, readiness, and resolve of the United States Navy and the Sailors who made it possible,” said Michael Carr, President & CEO of the USS Missouri Memorial Association. “Today, we were proud to welcome these veterans back aboard to honor their enduring legacy.”
Held on the very decks where they once served, the ceremony honored the sailors who brought the “Mighty Mo” back into active duty in 1986, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. naval history. Originally recommissioned under President Ronald Reagan, the USS Missouri served as a powerful symbol of American strength and deterrence during the Cold War.
The program featured remarks from USS Missouri (SSN-780) Commanding Officer Cmdr. Michael Humara, and USS Missouri Association President Master Chief (Ret.) Jeff Clemmer.
“Our Ship had transformed from its World War strength of 2400 enlisted and 134 officers to our Recommissioning crew of 64 Officers and 1500 enlisted with a MARDET of 2 Officers and 38 enlisted,” said Master Chief (Ret.) Clemmer. “We had transformed 20mm and 40mm machineguns for Air Defense to Four Phalanx Close in Weapon Systems that could fire 50 rounds in one second.”
A highlight of the event included the recognition of recommissioning-era crew members, who were individually honored and presented with commemorative teak coins as they returned to the ship four decades later.
The ceremony also included a traditional Hawaiian blessing led by Kahu Kelekona Bishaw, marking the dedication of a new onboard exhibit, “The Boys Are Back in Town: The 40th Anniversary of the Recommissioning of USS Missouri.” The exhibit offers an immersive look at the extraordinary effort to bring the battleship out of retirement, featuring archival photos and artifacts never before displayed to the public. Located in the ship’s Forward Mess Decks, the exhibit will remain on display through May 2027.
Commissioned in 1944, the USS Missouri played a central role in World War II, including hosting the formal surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay. She later served in the Korean War and was recommissioned for service in the Cold War before her final decommissioning in 1992. Today, she serves as a living museum and memorial in Pearl Harbor.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial continues to preserve and share the ship’s legacy, welcoming visitors from around the world to experience her historic significance firsthand.
Please credit images to the Battleship Missouri Memorial
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Qiwh0PbcD6FDJsfInJZ9nPE69szpUvVx?usp=drive_link
About the Battleship Missouri Memorial
Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 10-million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri's unique place in history. Located a ship's length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy” and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and ends with Japan's formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.
The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations. The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily. For information or reservations, call (808) 455-1600 or visit USSMissouri.org.
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Media Contact:
Shere’e Quitevis
(808) 741-1668
Sheree.Quitevis@finnpartners.com
Jaclyn Hawse
(808) 455-1600 x246
JaclynH@ussmissouri.org