USS Iowa survivor tells harrowing story

Local veteran tells harrowing story

DAN LIGGETT
Editor


Twenty years ago seems like yesterday for Tommy Workman of Wilmington. The U.S. Navy veteran served then as boatswain’s mate 3 aboard the USS Iowa.

On April 19, 1989, an explosion wrecked the battleship’s No. 2 gun turret, killing 47 sailors. What Workman experienced during the hours after the explosion and resulting fire, as he worked to help his shipmates and put out the intense blaze, still haunts him today.

The Wilmington News Journal honors the service and sacrifices that Workman and so many veterans from Clinton County have made for our nation in a special publication in today’s newspaper. “Clinton County Proud 2009 — Letters Home” recounts the military service of many local veterans from the Civil War to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Helping to tell their stories are letters they wrote back home to loved ones and friends. As such, today’s supplement to the newspaper follows the theme of the Clinton County Veterans Memorial which was dedicated on Veterans Day 2008 with the participation of Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.

Originally from Pontiac, Mich., Workman enlisted in the Navy after high school. He served three years aboard the Iowa, eventually achieving the rank of boatswain’s mate 3. Boatswain’s mates train, direct and supervise personnel in the ship’s maintenance duties, including those related to maintenance and supplies needed on deck.

Sometimes referred to as “The Big Stick,” the Iowa was launched Aug. 27, 1942. She was the lead ship in the Iowa class of battleships that included the USS Missouri, USS Wisconsin and USS New Jersey.

The 887-foot, 57,000-ton battleship is currently berthed with the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay near San Francisco.

Prior to the April 1989 explosion, and its second and last decommission on Oct. 26, 1990, the Iowa and her crews compiled an impressive history of service to the nation, including 11 battle stars.
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Local veteran tells harrowing story