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Product Description
The Story
HISTORIC TEAK WOOD
The outside of this ring is made from the original teak decking of the USS Missouri battleship. The same wood walked upon, fought upon, and stood upon by US sailors of many generations.
Born in the midst of World War II, the shipyard workers at Brooklyn’s New York Navy Yard constructed the battleship in time for her launch on January 29, 1944 and commissioning as the USS Missouri on June 11, 1944 with Capt. William M. Callaghan in command.The USS Missouri served 17 years of active service and received a total of 11 battle stars for service in World War II, Korea, and the Persian Gulf.
After completion of Operation Desert Storm, the USS Missouri paused briefly in Australia and Hawaii en route home to Long Beach Naval Station. There her officers and crew received a hero’s welcome by thousands of friends and family.
But the USS Missouri had one final mission to complete.
On December 7, 1991, the Missouri returned to the historic waters of Pearl Harbor for the 50th anniversary commemoration of the attack on the Hawaiian Islands. Moored a short distance from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Missouri and Arizona provide a symbolic connection from the “day which will live in infamy” to the formal ending of World War II.
Her final mission complete, the officers and crew of the USS Missouri now prepared for the difficult task of retiring the historic battleship. The last active service battleship in the world, the USS Missouri was decommissioned for the final time on March 31, 1992. Though her active naval service is complete, her legacy is not forgotten. On January 29, 1999, after years of dedicated community effort, the Battleship Missouri returned to service as centerpiece of the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor.
PURPLE HEART WOOD
The Purple Heart medal is awarded to those brave soldiers who have been wounded or killed in combat, and traces its origins back to General George Washington and his Continental Army. It was, therefore, only fitting for us to include purple heart wood as the main theme and unique character of this ring. Purple heart wood is not dyed, but is naturally a deep, rich purple hue which intensifies over time.
Each Ring is Handcrafted in North Carolina
As a former sailor, I am proud to craft each ring by hand here in the state to which the BB-55 owes its name. It is my honor to play a small role in the new "Made in USA" movement that is taking place across the nation and to do so by sharing part in our American heritage.