MIGHTY NINETY
MIGHTY NINETY Ship Memorabilia
This section showcases historical items related to USS ASTORIA CL-90. These items have been preserved in various collections and are displayed here for all to view and appreciate.
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Union Jack
This 48-star field once flew from the jack staff at the prow of the Mighty Ninety. The union jack measures 8' x 5' with stitched stars.
-from plankowner Mario DiMaio items in Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Deck Planking
The ship was commissioned on May 17th, 1944 at Philadelphia Navy Yard. All sailors who reported for duty aboard ASTORIA that day were considered "plankowners," or original members of the ship's crew. As such, they were entitled to apply for a section of deck planking from the Mighty Ninety after she was struck from the US Navy record and scrapped. Here is a section of CL-90 planking named to Dick Weber.
-from Brent Jones collection
U.S. Navy Electric Lantern
This 1940s-vintage USN battery-powered lantern was brought home by a USS ASTORIA CL-90 sailor as a souvenir after leaving ship. Activated by a rubber-covered toggle switch, the lantern's interior wiring and bulb filament are still in excellent condition. The lantern surfaced at a Boston, MA area auction in September 2008.
-from Brent Jones collection
Colonial Mk I U.S. Navy Knife
This Colonial Mk I knife was carried by USS ASTORIA shipmate Anthony Migliorisi while aboard ship. Inset is his name and ship assignment inked onto the scabbard. Also shown are his Zippo lighter and U.S. Navy ID card.
-from Robert A. Migliorisi collection
Bosun's Whistle and Lanyard
This bosun's whistle was carried by plankowner Mario DiMaio, who wove the lanyard for it while at sea.
-from Mario DiMaio items in Brent Jones collection
Mighty Ninety Cruise Book
The Mighty Ninety cruise book is an item possessed by many wartime ASTORIA shipmates. Printed in 1946, it covers the entirety of ASTORIA's war cruise. This copy was originally owned by L Division officer William R. Walters, who handwrote the names of many fellow officers in the division photos.
-from Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Drawing
A drawing of USS ASTORIA CL-90 by S1/c F. Bermudez that ran in the Mighty Ninety ship's news publication at the end of the war.
-from Robert A. Migliorisi collection
Rising Sun Trophy Flag
This flag comes from the possessions of CL-90 Chief Petty Officer Bud Harms.
-from Bud Harms items in Carl Theaker collection
ASTORIA Reunion Booklets and Newsletters
CL-90 reunions were held throughout the 1980s, and a combined reunion was held until 1996 with the heavy cruiser CA-34 ASTORIA veterans. This 1986 souvenir includes many photos taken at the 1986 reunion in Mankato, MN hosted by Earl and Muriel Henderson.
-from Brent Jones collection
Recruit Training Issued Items
This flat hat belonged to ASTORIA plankowner Mario DiMaio. Also pictured are white USN leggings and the 1943 Bluejacket's Manual, issued to recruits and containing a wealth of nautical information.
-from Brent Jones collection
Enlisted Working Uniform
This working uniform consists of chambray shirt, dungaree jumper, and white hat. Also present is an M-1926 life belt, the type commonly worn by work parties in ASTORIA photographs. By 1944 the Navy had authorized dyeing of the white hat to dark blue, a practice also common in CL-90 photos.
-from Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Photographs
Shown here are some of the many varied photographs associated with the Mighty Ninety. Her wartime ship's photographer, Herman Schnipper, provided photographic representations of the ship for reunions in addition to his work during her WWII cruise. ASTORIA was also photographed by other sources throughout her career, including aerial and surface shots depicting her four paint schemes and various AA and radar configurations.
-from Brent Jones collection
5-inch 38-caliber Shell Ashtray
This ashtray was made from the spent casing of a 5-inch/38 round fired by USS PASADENA CL-65 during Cruiser Division 17's shore bombardment in support of the Iwo Jima landings in February 1945. The casing has been engraved with "Iwo Jima" and "USS Pasadena". Note the spent primer still embedded in the base of the round.
-from Brent Jones collection
Replacement Crew Memorabilia
These items belonged to SSM3/c Ernie Gunnarson, who served aboard ASTORIA from 1946-47. The 8mm film reel contains three 1944-dated comedy shorts: two Lil Abner cartoons and a Three Stooges sketch. The honorable discharge certificate shown is the first of four that Ernie would receive over twenty years in and out of the US Navy.
-from Ernie Gunnarson items in Brent Jones collection
Cruiser Division 17 Philatelic Covers
These envelopes have caches and cancellations from the four CLEVELAND-class cruisers who served together in CruDiv 17 during 1945: PASADENA CL-65, SPRINGFIELD CL-66, ASTORIA CL-90, and WILKES-BARRE CL-103. Events include launchings, commissionings, and Navy Day celebrations.
-from Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA Bronze Ashtray
This 5" bronze ashtray is engraved with USS ASTORIA and the USN seal sculpted into the center.
-from Brent Jones collection
1946 Portland Rose Festival Souvenirs
These items represent Mighty Ninety's attendance at the Portland Rose Festival in June 1946. Items shown are the souvenir program, a philatelic envelope with Rose Festival cache and ASTORIA cancel, and parade photographs taken by Mighty Ninety shipmate Ernie Gunnarson.
-from Brent Jones collection
Enlisted Dress Blue B Uniform
This uniform belonged to plankowner Mario DiMaio. It consists of dress blue jumper, square-knotted black neckerchief, "pea coat" enlisted overcoat, and white hat. Many ASTORIA shipmates were photographed in this uniform as they headed to separation centers stateside after the war.
-from Mario DiMaio items in Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Stationery Portfolio
This circa-1946 stationery set consists of USS ASTORIA letterhead and envelopes contained in a US Navy portfolio (cover art inset).
-from Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Souvenir Life Ring
This souvenir ring was woven and painted by plankowner Mario DiMaio. It is unclear if this was done aboard ship or later as a reunion item.
-from Mario DiMaio items in Brent Jones collection
BACK TO USS ASTORIA CL-90 HOME PAGE
This section showcases historical items related to USS ASTORIA CL-90. These items have been preserved in various collections and are displayed here for all to view and appreciate.
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Union Jack
This 48-star field once flew from the jack staff at the prow of the Mighty Ninety. The union jack measures 8' x 5' with stitched stars.
-from plankowner Mario DiMaio items in Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Deck Planking
The ship was commissioned on May 17th, 1944 at Philadelphia Navy Yard. All sailors who reported for duty aboard ASTORIA that day were considered "plankowners," or original members of the ship's crew. As such, they were entitled to apply for a section of deck planking from the Mighty Ninety after she was struck from the US Navy record and scrapped. Here is a section of CL-90 planking named to Dick Weber.
-from Brent Jones collection
U.S. Navy Electric Lantern
This 1940s-vintage USN battery-powered lantern was brought home by a USS ASTORIA CL-90 sailor as a souvenir after leaving ship. Activated by a rubber-covered toggle switch, the lantern's interior wiring and bulb filament are still in excellent condition. The lantern surfaced at a Boston, MA area auction in September 2008.
-from Brent Jones collection
Colonial Mk I U.S. Navy Knife
This Colonial Mk I knife was carried by USS ASTORIA shipmate Anthony Migliorisi while aboard ship. Inset is his name and ship assignment inked onto the scabbard. Also shown are his Zippo lighter and U.S. Navy ID card.
-from Robert A. Migliorisi collection
Bosun's Whistle and Lanyard
This bosun's whistle was carried by plankowner Mario DiMaio, who wove the lanyard for it while at sea.
-from Mario DiMaio items in Brent Jones collection
Mighty Ninety Cruise Book
The Mighty Ninety cruise book is an item possessed by many wartime ASTORIA shipmates. Printed in 1946, it covers the entirety of ASTORIA's war cruise. This copy was originally owned by L Division officer William R. Walters, who handwrote the names of many fellow officers in the division photos.
-from Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Drawing
A drawing of USS ASTORIA CL-90 by S1/c F. Bermudez that ran in the Mighty Ninety ship's news publication at the end of the war.
-from Robert A. Migliorisi collection
Rising Sun Trophy Flag
This flag comes from the possessions of CL-90 Chief Petty Officer Bud Harms.
-from Bud Harms items in Carl Theaker collection
ASTORIA Reunion Booklets and Newsletters
CL-90 reunions were held throughout the 1980s, and a combined reunion was held until 1996 with the heavy cruiser CA-34 ASTORIA veterans. This 1986 souvenir includes many photos taken at the 1986 reunion in Mankato, MN hosted by Earl and Muriel Henderson.
-from Brent Jones collection
Recruit Training Issued Items
This flat hat belonged to ASTORIA plankowner Mario DiMaio. Also pictured are white USN leggings and the 1943 Bluejacket's Manual, issued to recruits and containing a wealth of nautical information.
-from Brent Jones collection
Enlisted Working Uniform
This working uniform consists of chambray shirt, dungaree jumper, and white hat. Also present is an M-1926 life belt, the type commonly worn by work parties in ASTORIA photographs. By 1944 the Navy had authorized dyeing of the white hat to dark blue, a practice also common in CL-90 photos.
-from Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Photographs
Shown here are some of the many varied photographs associated with the Mighty Ninety. Her wartime ship's photographer, Herman Schnipper, provided photographic representations of the ship for reunions in addition to his work during her WWII cruise. ASTORIA was also photographed by other sources throughout her career, including aerial and surface shots depicting her four paint schemes and various AA and radar configurations.
-from Brent Jones collection
5-inch 38-caliber Shell Ashtray
This ashtray was made from the spent casing of a 5-inch/38 round fired by USS PASADENA CL-65 during Cruiser Division 17's shore bombardment in support of the Iwo Jima landings in February 1945. The casing has been engraved with "Iwo Jima" and "USS Pasadena". Note the spent primer still embedded in the base of the round.
-from Brent Jones collection
Replacement Crew Memorabilia
These items belonged to SSM3/c Ernie Gunnarson, who served aboard ASTORIA from 1946-47. The 8mm film reel contains three 1944-dated comedy shorts: two Lil Abner cartoons and a Three Stooges sketch. The honorable discharge certificate shown is the first of four that Ernie would receive over twenty years in and out of the US Navy.
-from Ernie Gunnarson items in Brent Jones collection
Cruiser Division 17 Philatelic Covers
These envelopes have caches and cancellations from the four CLEVELAND-class cruisers who served together in CruDiv 17 during 1945: PASADENA CL-65, SPRINGFIELD CL-66, ASTORIA CL-90, and WILKES-BARRE CL-103. Events include launchings, commissionings, and Navy Day celebrations.
-from Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA Bronze Ashtray
This 5" bronze ashtray is engraved with USS ASTORIA and the USN seal sculpted into the center.
-from Brent Jones collection
1946 Portland Rose Festival Souvenirs
These items represent Mighty Ninety's attendance at the Portland Rose Festival in June 1946. Items shown are the souvenir program, a philatelic envelope with Rose Festival cache and ASTORIA cancel, and parade photographs taken by Mighty Ninety shipmate Ernie Gunnarson.
-from Brent Jones collection
Enlisted Dress Blue B Uniform
This uniform belonged to plankowner Mario DiMaio. It consists of dress blue jumper, square-knotted black neckerchief, "pea coat" enlisted overcoat, and white hat. Many ASTORIA shipmates were photographed in this uniform as they headed to separation centers stateside after the war.
-from Mario DiMaio items in Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Stationery Portfolio
This circa-1946 stationery set consists of USS ASTORIA letterhead and envelopes contained in a US Navy portfolio (cover art inset).
-from Brent Jones collection
USS ASTORIA CL-90 Souvenir Life Ring
This souvenir ring was woven and painted by plankowner Mario DiMaio. It is unclear if this was done aboard ship or later as a reunion item.
-from Mario DiMaio items in Brent Jones collection
BACK TO USS ASTORIA CL-90 HOME PAGE
