Courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Museum, National Archives & Records Administration.
USS New Jersey Paperweight
Artifact ID1982.02984.01
Object Type
Paperweight
Gifter
CAPT William M. Fogarty Jr.
Date
December 28, 1982
Medium
Wood (teak), Metal (brass)
Dimensions7 × 9 1/2 × 2 in. (17.8 × 24.1 × 5.1 cm)
Physical DescriptionA paperweight made out of teakwood decking from the USS New Jersey with an engraved brass plaque at the center. The text on the plaque states. "Teakwood Decking From USS New Jersey (BB-62) Presented At Recommissioning To Ronald W. Reagan President Of The United States From The Officers And Crew, 28 December 1982."Historical NoteThe paperweight was given when the USS New Jersey (BB-62) was recommissioned on December 28, 1982 at a ceremony attended by President Ronald Reagan, Secretary of the Navy John Lehman, and William M. Fogarty Jr., USN, Commanding Officer, USS New Jersey (BB-62). President Reagan joked, "Surrounded by all this Navy blue and gold, I've had the strange feeling that I'm back on the set filming 'Hellcats of the Navy.'" He continued, "History tells us that a delegate to the Continental Congress called the creation of our Navy 'the maddest idea in the world.' Well, we've been questioned for bringing back this battleship. Yet, I would challenge anyone who's been aboard or even seen the New Jersey to argue its value."
The USS New Jersey was an Iowa-class battleship and the second US Navy vessel of the that name. It was originally launched on December 7, 1942, and decommissioned and recommissioned throughout the decades. During World War II she fought in the Pacific, and at various points served as the flagship of the United States 3rd Fleet and 5th Fleet. After the Reagan era recommissioning, she served until February 8, 1991 and has been a floating museum ship in Camden, NJ since 2001.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Related Events
Related LinksVideo: President Ronald Reagan's and Captain Fogarty’s Remarks during the Recommissioning of USS New Jersey then his Departure at the Long Beach Naval Yard in Long Beach, California December 28, 1982
Photograph: Remarks at the Recommissioning Ceremony for the USS New Jersey, Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Long Beach, California 12/28/1982 c12174-01 c12176-01
Speech: Remarks at the Recommissioning Ceremony for the U.S.S. New Jersey in Long Beach, California December 28, 1982
Photograph: Remarks at the Recommissioning Ceremony for the USS New Jersey, Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Long Beach, California 12/28/1982 c12174-01 c12176-01
Speech: Remarks at the Recommissioning Ceremony for the U.S.S. New Jersey in Long Beach, California December 28, 1982