Description:

Eisenhower Dwight



Dwight D. Eisenhower's Lunch Menu from Visit to U.S.S. Des Moines

 

A lunch menu dating from Eisenhower's December 17, 1959 visit aboard the heavy cruiser, U.S.S. Des Moines (CA-134) stationed off Athens Greece. His visit to Greece was part of a 11 nation good will tour (December 3-23). Cream colored card stock with gilt embossed presidential seal on front cover, and typed contents within, 4.5" x 6". Near fine condition.

 

The U.S. Des Moines was the United States last all-gun heavy cruiser, able to maintain a crew of 1500 and was 717 feet in length. Nicknamed "Daisy Mae", she was eventually decommissioned in 1961. This Presidential lunch menu was during Eisenhower's three day visit in December 1959, where he dined with Mrs. Eisenhower, Secretary Murphy, Mr. McCann, Mr. Hagerty, General Snyder and General Goodpaster. The lunch menu offered dignitaries everything from Platters of sliced cold lamb and ham to baked macaroni with cheese and hot popovers, along with the complimentary Cigars.

 

After his visit, Eisenhower spoke to the crew over the public address system :

 

Remarks to the Ship's Company on Board the U.S.S. Des Moines

 

"IT HAS BEEN a great pleasure for my party and myself to be embarked in Admiral Anderson's fine fleet. We are particularly grateful, of course, to the officers and men of the Des Moines and Essex who have been our hosts for the past 3 days.

 

Speaking personally, I cannot tell you how much the opportunity to take a good rest has meant to me. More than that, it has been a very enjoyable experience. As always, when I embark in Navy ships, I have been impressed with the good spirit and dedication to duty that I have seen in this force. You have good reason to be proud of yourselves, and the ships in which you serve.

 

Yesterday I sent Christmas Greetings to all members of the Armed Forces. I know they will understand when I send the men of the Sixth Fleet special wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Thank you--and God bless you."

 

Daisy Mae had a varied operating schedule designed to maintain the readiness of the Navy to meet the "24 hour. 7 days a week, 365 days of the year" demands of defense. Her job was to remain ready for the next conflict to come, cruising from her home port at Newport, and after 1950, from Norfolk, she was part of all types of exercises in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and in the East coast waters. On 18 February 1958, she left Norfolk for the Mediterranean once more, this time to remain as flagship for the 6th Fleet until July 1961 when she was placed out of commission in reserve. In her day she served as a lady of diplomacy hosting many dignitaries including, President Dwight Eisenhower, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of England. King Paul and Queen Fredrika of Greece, Ali Kahn, Prince Albert of Belgium, and many more.

 

Her class was completed too late for service in World War II, but they were employed extensively as fleet flagships during their active careers. The Des Moines was completed with two stern catapults and had capacity for 4 floatplanes; the catapults were not completed. Instead she operated utility helicopters on the stern with a hanger plus an elevator. Her weapons were massive her main 8 inch/55 caliber guns in three triple turrets had a muzzle velocity of 2,800 ft per second with a range of 30,100 yards. Each shell weighted 260 lbs with armor piercing being 335 lbs. Each 451 ton turret had a crew of 45 men and the guns had the rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute. The ammo resembled the 5 inch having the projectile incased in a brass cartridge. Not having the silk power bag as the propellant increased the rate of fire and the safety for the crew.

 

After decommissioning in 1961 she was mothballed in the South Boston Naval Annex and eventually at Philadelphia, where she remained until 2006. After an attempt failed to turn her into a museum ship she was towed to Brownsville, Texas, for scrapping, and by July 2007, Daisy Mae was razor blades.

 


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