This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Edward Stack, MA1
to remember
Helton, Michael, PO1.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Date of Passing Apr 19, 1989
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Member of the Legal Dept., aboard USS IOWA.
Other Comments:
Mike was killed in the USS IOWA Turret Two explosion, on April 19, 1989. That explosion also claimed the lives of 46 other shipmates.
Iowa Class Battleship: Displacement 45,000 Tons, Dimensions, 887' 3" (oa) x 108' 2" x 37' 9" (Max)Armament 9 x 16"/50 20 x 5"/38AA, 80 x 40mm 49 x 20mm, 3 AC. Armor, 12 1/8" Belt, 17" Turrets, 1 1/2" +6" +5/8" Decks, 17 1/4" Conning Tower. Machinery, 212,000 SHP; G.E. Geared Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 1921. Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York Naval Ship Yard, June 27, 1940. Launched August 27, 1942. Commissioned February 22, 1943. Decommissioned March 24, 1949. Recommissioned August 25, 1951. Decommissioned February 2, 1958. Recommissioned April 28, 1984. Decommissioned October 26, 1990. Stricken for disposal 12 January 1995 but retained as a parts source. Reinstated on the Naval Vessels Register and returned to reserve status 4 January 1999. Fate: Preserved as Memorial at 250 S Harbor Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90731
