BABY'S REMAINS INTERRED ABOARD THE UTAH

 

 Intro:  For several years a story has been circulating at USS Utah reunions that a baby's ashes are interred within the ship.  Some of us had dismissed the likelihood of such an unusual story being true.  However, Shipmate Harry Kamman personally knew someone who could vouch for the authenticity of the story.  And can they ever vouch!

The amazing story of that baby's ashes interred aboard the USS Utah at Pearl Harbor is written by the baby's twin sister, Mary Wagner Kreigh and we are honored to publish it here.

A "SMALL" ADDITION TO THE STORY OF THE USS UTAH

Chief Yeoman Albert T. D. Wagner had the ashes of one of his twin daughters, Nancy Lynne, in his locker aboard ship on that fateful day of December 7, 1941.  He was waiting for a Chaplain to come aboard and for the UTAH to go out on maneuvers so that her ashes could be scattered at sea in the old Navy tradition.  The urn containing the ashes of the tiny baby girl went down with the UTAH.  Frogmen tried to reach Wagner's locker to retrieve the urn, but the ship was too badly damaged.  Therefore, there is a baby girl aboard the USS UTAH being guarded by 54* of the Navy's finest.

*Four Utah casaulties are known to be interred on Oahu. 

********************************************************************

Those are the "facts".  I never got to know my sister.  I know we were identical so when I look into a mirror I always feel as though she is with me.  We were born prematurely in the Philippines.  Nancy only lived two days.

It would have been wonderful if she had lived, but since she did not, I feel nothing but pride and pleasure that she is in such magnificent company.  I could not ask for anything better than for her to be tenderly, carefully looked after by American's Finest.

Whenever I go to Hawaii I always go to Ford Island.  The scene is breathtaking.  The Utah lying on her side like a magnificent metal giant guarding her cherished treasures entombed within her bowels like a Mother guarding her children.  She is protective;  she is magnificent.  She is at peace as are her charges - 54 gentle men and one tiny baby.  Her bed is an azsure carpet of blue, her blanket is a gentle breeze and her lullaby is a mixture of a whispered wind and the delicate sounds of song birds lulling her and her children to sleep on into eternity.  Nothing could be so beautiful.  Nothing could be so wonderful.  And as I quietly release a fragrant floral lei out to her as an offering of gratitude and love, I can't help but whisper, "ALOHA, my little sister.  Thank you my brave Warriors for taking such good care of her."

Mary Dianne Wagner (Kreigh) - the "other" twin

 

Photo At Right: Albert T. D. Wagner, Chief Yeoman aboard Utah 12-07-1941.

Retired USN 1951

 

Center:  Mary Dianne Wagner (Kreigh) - The "other" twin. 

 

Read this story as it appeared in the Honolulu Star Bulletin on September 29, 2000.

 

 

RETURN TO HOME PAGE