USS Newport News Memorial
Wisconsin Square - Norfolk, Virginia

The Lone Sailor Statue, Commemorative Memorial Plaques
and the USS Wisconsin (BB-64)

Memorial Plaque

On May 25, 2002, the City of Norfolk, Virginia and the US Navy Memorial Foundation dedicated the Wisconsin Square in honor of Norfolk Based ships that suffered an event, since World War II, that resulted in a significant loss of life, including the October 1, 1972 explosion on the USS Newport News.

Representing the USS Newport News during the dedication were two members of the USS Newport News Reunion Association: Franklin (Rags) Ragland, past president of the NNRA and Chuck Zendner, USS Newport News Web Site Administrator.

Webpage Contents:

1-Pictures and information about the Wisconsin Square, Norfolk VA
2-Memorial Stone dedicated to the October 1, 1972 explosion on the USS Newport News. (CA-148)
3-Pictures of the Dedication Service
4-Miscellaneous pictures of the event
5-Map of the Location of the Memorial - USS Wisconsin BB-64

Wisconsin Square

The Wisconsin Square in Norfolk Virginia , is a beautiful area with a purpose dear to the hearts of all USS Newport News (CA-148) sailors.
Alongside the square lies the USS Wisconsin (BB-64), standing in all it's might. Watching over the square is the Lone Sailor statue.
The Memorial was sponsored the US Navy Memorial Foundation and the City of Norfolk. Additional financial support and assistance was provided by the USS Newport News Reunion Association, the USS Cole Association, USS Iowa association, USS Nimitz Association, USS Scorpion Association, USS Forrestal Association and USS Liberty Association
Franklin "Rags" Ragland represented the USS Newport News during this project and insured that the memorial was presented in the manor required for this somber event.

Memorial Plaques

The Wisconsin Square, Lone Sailor Statue and the Memorial Plaques.
The Lone Sailor statue is an exact replica of the famous statue at the United States navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The Wisconsin Square is located on the port side of the USS Wisconsin (BB-64)

USS Newport News Memorial Plaque

Commemorative Plagues honor those Norfolk based units since World War II, that suffered an event that resulted in a significant loss of life.

Here is the Plaque Dedicated to The loss suffered aboard the
USS Newport News CA-148 on Oct. 1, 1972

"May They Forever Rest In Peace"

The dedication service was opened with full Military Colors by the USS Cole Color Guard. Music program was provided by the US Navy Atlantic Fleet Band. Military speakers at the event included Vise Admiral Albert Konetzni, USN Deputy Commander in Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Rear Admiral Hank McKinney (Ret.) President U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation

Ragland and Zendner presenting the
USS Newport News Commemorative Plaques.

Ragland and Zendner presenting the
USS Newport News Commemorative Plaques.

left- Captain Robert R. Briner (1974-75)
right- Captain Ronald T. Kelly (1973-74)

Representing 3 different generations of the Navy
(from left to right) Chuck Zendner (70's), Rags Ragland (50's), and Dexter Goad (60's)

Dex - Rags - Zendner

Rags holding up the Lone Sailor

Top Honors go to Master Chief Ragland, who commanded this project from
beginning to end, taking care of everything needed to produce our ship's
plaque, including the choice of wording, which was perfect