In July of 1918, my father, also named Ike Skelton, dropped out of high school in his hometown of Higginsville, Missouri, misrepresented his age, and joined the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to be a fireman on the battleship named for his home state—the Missouri, flagship of the Second Division of the Atlantic Fleet. He was discharged from active duty in 1919.
Although my father returned to high school and received both bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Missouri, his service in the navy was a defining event in his life. He was immensely proud of his service and mandated that the only thing that should appear on his grave marker, other than his name and dates of birth and death, was the following: U.S. Navy, World War I.
In a sense, my father’s naval service was a defining event in my life, also. He spoke to me often of his training at Great Lakes, and of his life on board the Missouri. He inspired my lifelong interest in the navy, and in military history in general, which I carried with me during my own studies at the University of Missouri, and which has proved invaluable to me in my work as ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.
Rick Schroeder’s book will make a valuable contribution to Missouri and U.S. history and will remind Missourians of the contribution their citizens, and the ships named for their state, have made to American history and national security. It will tell not only the story of Missouri warships like the Missouri my father served on, and its more famous successor Missouri from World War II, but also the story of heroic Missouri sailors, including some awarded the Medal of Honor.
As the son of a proud navy veteran from Missouri, and as a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in history, I welcome this book.
Ike Skelton
Member of Congress