The Search for USS Mississinewa - 6     

On the second dive, we explored the bow and the explosion area in more detail. Pat took down an American flag and I photographed him on the starboard side of the bow with the flag - we plan to present the flag to the USS Mississinewa Reunion Group. I took several photos of Pam at key places along the ship. And then, grudgingly, we had to head back up. We were almost out of air but, more importantly, out of time.

That night, the island of Falalop was buzzing with news of our find. Lorry Leframor, the head of the hotel staff, arranged a great banquet, including a demonstration of traditional native dancing by local young girls. We slept well that night and were on our way home the next day.

Once back, at the request of Chief Pisente and Senator Tony Tareg, we sent out a press release to announce our find. I notified Mike Mair and the rest of the USS Mississinewa Reunion Group and Pat notified the US Navy Historical Research Center, at the Navy yard in Washington, DC, of our find, providing details for their files. Currently, the people of Ulithi, in conjunction with the US Navy, are deciding how best to preserve this American gravesite for the future. The impact of finding the USS Mississinewa, after almost 57 years, is only beginning to be felt by all who have been involved.