Franklin Delano Roosevelt returns to USS Iowa for home trip December 9. 1943. seventy one years ago today. 6:10PM FDRs plane landed at Rufisque Field at 6:10 pm (Dakar time) and was met by several American officers, including Vice Adm. W. A. Glassford, USN. FDR sorted through official mail from Washington, DC that was brought aboard. No legislative or Congressional matters. FDR and party drove to French naval station at Dakar where they boarded the French destroyer La Gazelle. FDR was greeted by the Gov. Gen. of French W. Africa, Pierre Cournarie. Local officials were presented to FDR. 8:13pm The La Gazelle went alongside the USS Iowa and FDR and his party were transferred to that vessel. By arrangement there were no honors rendered upon FDRs arrival on board. The Combined Chiefs of Staff and their accompanying party did not return in the USS Iowa with FDR. There were a number of US Navy and Army officers on board the USS Iowa for transportation to the US. FDR was taken aboard the USS Iowa by means of a specially rigged boatswains chair. 9:00pm The USS Iowa got underway from Dakar, French West Africa in company with the US Destroyers USS Ellyson (Commander Destroyer Squadron Ten embarked therein), USS Emmons, and Rodman for the return voyage to the US. The group operated tactically as Task Group 27.5 under the command of Capt McCrea. FDR and members of his mess (Harry L. Hopkins, Adm. William D. Leahy, Adms. Wilson Brown and McIntire, Gen. Edwin M. Watson) dined soon after boarding the USS Iowa. FDR retired soon after dinner. A rare pic of FDR on board Iowa
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 15:54:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015