Dr. Amy Marchigiani, Marine Specialty Painting HR Compliance and Training Coordinator
On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 10:22 pm, a 16-inch/50-Mark 7 barrel, stretching 70 feet long, weighing 120 tons, entered the gates of Marine Specialty Painting in Portsmouth, Virginia to be revitalized and placed at Fort Story, for viewing in Virginia Beach, Virginia. President and CEO Alfred Joseph Marchigiani (aka AJ) waited patiently to receive a barrel of the ship that he served on in 1989. The USS IOWA was the ship where AJ spent his 19th birthday manning with other shipmates. The USS IOWA was the ship on which AJ and his fellow shipmates were celebrating the end of a six-month deployment. This deployment (Earnest Will) entailed providing oil tankers protection against Silkworm Missiles in the Gulf of Oman as they headed through the Straits of Hormuz to the Persian Gulf to terminals to onload and offload. Motley Crew blared “Home Sweet Home” through the speakers as the seaman prepared for the voyage home. Suddenly, the Captain came over the 1MC (speaker), shutting down the celebration to alert the seaman that a Russian ship (which had been following the USS IOWA for days) had just bumped the USS Ticonderoga, which was in proximity of the USS IOWA. “All hands man your battle stations, this is not a drill,” was the announcement! The threat of a deadly incident was a decision away. The USS IOWA turned to fire on the Russian ship with all nine barrels aimed and loaded. Within minutes the Russian ship retreated out to sea. Tragically, this was the battleship on which AJ witnessed 47 sailors (brothers) lose their lives. The cause was reported as an accidental over ram of powder bags into the breach of one of the 16-inch guns that ultimately exploded. This battleship and the history it has provided the world, and the memories that it provided AJ were responsible for his decision to volunteer (at no cost) to revitalize the barrel of the USS IOWA at Marine Specialty Painting to become an integral part of a monument that will be displayed at Fort Story, Virginia. He feels this mission is an absolute honor.
The Battleship USS IOWA became decommissioned in 1990 after the tragic explosion. It may have been perhaps one of the most significant battleships in history, conceived as the first of the 45,000-ton class of battleships and designated the “World’s Greatest Naval Ship” flexing big guns, heavy armor, fast speed, and modernized flexibility. Ordered on July 1, 1939, commissioned on February 22, 1943, and served the United States of America for almost 50 years.
Terry McGovern, Secretary and Treasurer of the Coast Defense Study Group (a non-profit corporation dedicated to the study of seacoast fortifications), has been spearheading this incredible Barrel Restoration Project. Eight of the barrels were removed after much combat (WWII and Korean War, to name a few) and they were replaced with new barrels for future commissions. However, finding final resting grounds for eight historic 16-inch/50-Mark 7 barrels (instead of being sold for scrap) with the support of NAVSEA, was critical to the preservation of history. Mr. McGovern knew he must see this project to the end. With the help of AJ (Marine Specialty Painting) and many other incredible contributors assisting with moving these incredibly large and heavy battleship components, history will continue to be made right here in our beautiful area.
About the Author
Dr. Amy Marchigiani has worked for Marine Specialty Painting for five years as the Human Resources Compliance and Training Coordinator. Not only is she married to a Navy Veteran, but she had two parents who served and retired from United States Federal service. Graduating from William & Mary with a Doctorate in Curriculum and Leadership, Amy worked as an educator and an Administrator in public education for over 22 years before entering the Ship Repair Industry. She and her husband AJ have five children and three grandchildren.
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