04-R 289

2004 -- H 8569

06/01/04

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FATAL EXPLOSION ON THE U.S.S. BENNINGTON AND THE TRAGIC LOSS OF 103 CREWMEN

Introduced By: Representatives Crowley, E Coderre, Gallison, Benson, and Shavers

Date Introduced: May 25, 2004

     WHEREAS, During World War II the U.S.S. Bennington, named in commemoration of

an historic battle in the Revolutionary War that took place in Bennington, Vermont, was laid

down at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and was launched for service on February 26, 1944; and

     WHEREAS, The U.S.S. Bennington was sent to the Pacific Theater and saw action in the

final battles against Japan during WWII. The carrier took part in the invasion of Okinawa, in

attacks on the Japanese Imperial Fleet throughout the East China Sea, and in attacks on the

Japanese homeland; and

     WHEREAS, The U.S.S. Bennington was decommissioned in 1946 but was

recommissioned in 1952 after the carrier was modernized at the New York Naval Shipyard.

Between May 14, 1953 and May 27, 1954 the U.S.S. Bennington operated along the eastern

seaboard of the United States and Canada; and

     WHEREAS, Tragedy struck the U.S.S. Bennington on May 26, 1954. While cruising off

Narragansett Bay, fluid in one of the carrier’s catapults exploded setting off a series of secondary

explosions that killed 103 crewmen and injured 201 others. The U.S.S. Bennington proceeded

under her own power to Quonset Point for repairs; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island Providence

Plantations hereby commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the fatal explosion on the U.S.S.

Bennington and the tragic loss of 103 crewmen; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the United States Secretary of the Navy.

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LC03493

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