USS Missouri (BB-63)

The third USS Missouri (BB-63) ("Mighty Mo") is a U.S. Navy battleship, notable as the final battleship to be built by the United States, the second-to-last in the world after HMS Vanguard, and the site of the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II.

Commanding officers of the USS Missouri

Missouri has seen 23 tours of duty with 20 different men serving as commanding officer.

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• Captain William M. Callaghan — 11 June 1944 to 14 May 1945
• *Ship's first captain
• Captain Stuart S. Murray — 14 May 1945 to 6 November 1945
• *Commanding officer during Japanese surrender ceremony
• Captain Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter — 6 November 1945 to 31 May 1946
• *Later became director of the Central Intelligence Agency
• Captain Tom B. Hill — 31 May 1946 to 2 April 1947
• Captain Robert L. Dennison — 2 April 1947 to 23 January 1948
• *Later summoned by President Truman to serve on his staff
• Captain John B. Colwell — 23 January 1948 to 24 February 1948
• Captain James H. Thach — 24 February 1948 to 5 February 1949
• *Brother of famed naval aviator John Thach
• Captain Harold P. Smith — 5 February 1949 to 10 December 1949
• Captain William D. Brown — 10 December 1949 to 3 February 1950
• *Known as "Muddy" Brown; was commanding officer when ship was accidentally grounded.
• Commander George E. Peckham — 3 February 1950 to 7 February 1950
• *First commanding officer not to hold rank of Captain, took command when Captain Brown was relieved after grounding.
• Captain Harold Smith — 7 February 1950 to 19 April 1950
• *Return of Captain Smith intended to restore confidence and morale among sailors.
• Captain Irving Duke — 19 April 1950 to 2 March 1951
• Captain George C. Wright — 2 March 1951 to 18 October 1951
• Captain John Sylvester — 18 October 1951 to 4 September 1952
• Captain Warner Edsall — 4 September 1952 to 26 March 1953
• *Suffered a heart attack and died on the bridge of the ship upon return to Sasebo, Japan.
• Commander James North — 26 March 1953 to 4 April 1953
• *Took command after Captain Edsall passed away.
• Captain Robert Brodie — 4 April 1953 to 1 April 1954
• Captain Robert Keith — 1 April 1954 to 18 September 1954
• Captain James North — 18 September 1954 to 26 February 1955
• *Returned to command USS Missouri, now with rank of Captain.
• Captain Albert Lee Kaiss — 10 May 1986 to 20 June 1986
• *First captain after recommissioning. Relieved in June 1986 due to health concerns.
• Captain James Carney — 20 June 1986 to 6 July 1988
• Captain John Chernesky — 6 July 1988 to 13 June 1990
• Captain Albert Lee Kaiss — 13 June 1990 to 31 March 1992
• *Health concerns alleviated, he returned to command Missouri in the Persian Gulf War.