U.S.S. Little Rock CL 92 / CLG 4 / CG 4

Unofficial Documents, Papers & Correspondence
10 August, 2017

This page provides brief descriptions and pictures of the various "unofficial" documents and papers that the typical Navyman might encounter on a day-to-day basis. These documents fall into three categories, "Ship Issued Documents" "Correspondence" and "Atta-boy" Awards".

"Ship Issued Documents"
Document Name	Use	Photo
CL 92 Plank Owner's Commissioning Certificate 1945	A "Plank Owner" is a crew member who was assigned to and on board a vessel on the day of her official commissioning. This certificate was issued to crewman William Barrons RM3c on 17 June 1945 when USS Little Rock CL 92 was commissioned in Philadelphia, PA.
CLG 4 Plank Owner's Wallet Card 1960	"In addition to a "full size" copy of the Plank Owner's certificate, each eligible crew member received a small wallet-size version of the larger certificate. A copy of such a wallet-size version is shown here."
Blue Nose Card 1946	This "Royal Order of the Blue Nose" card was issued to CL 92 crew members who were aboard for when the ship crossed the Arctic Circle on 30 Nov 1946.
Blue Nose Card 1965	This "Royal Order of the Blue Nose" card was issued to CLG 4 crew member Robert W. Peterson MM3 who was aboard when the ship crossed the Arctic Circle on 29 Sep 1965.
Blue Nose Certificate 1972	This "Royal Order of the Blue Nose" certificate was issued to CLG 4 crew members who were aboard for when the ship crossed the Arctic Circle on 14 Sep 1972.
Cigarette Ration Card	Cigarette Ration Cards were issued to Navy personnel during WWII. The intent was to limit the purchasing of hard to come by tobacco products. These two cards were donated by CL 92 shipmates Al Newhouse SGT (USMC) 1947-49 (upper card) and Walt Nebiker S1C 1947-48 (lower card).
Camera Pass (Front)	A Camera Pass was issued to individuals on board Little Rock who owned a camera. The pass authorized the individual to have the camera in their possession while boarding or leaving the ship. This Camera Pass was owned by Terrence J. Mahoney
Camera Pass (Back)	The back side of the Camera Pass explained that the camera was to not be used for taking pictures of the ship, other ships or naval facilities. It provided a "Chapter and Verse" reference to the U.S. Navy Security Manual.
Laundry Receipt	The Laundry Receipt was a way for the ship's laundry to keep track of the individual clothing items sent in by Officers for cleaning and pressing. Enlisted men's laundry was placed in a large bag (all the laundry from one division in one bag) and sent to the laundry for washing (but not pressing). When it was returned to the division it was usually dumped on a table and sorted by the men themselves. Each man then pressed their own clothes as needed.
Authorized Late Sleeper Tag	This tag was issued to individuals who were required to be up for the mid-watch (midnight to 4 AM). It was hung from their bunk and authorized them to sleep for one hour after reveille. *Donated to us from Gregory Knowles ETN3 (67-69) (Signature on card was LTJG Laurence L. Stone Jr.)
Liberty Card	When liberty was granted it was necessary to present your Liberty Card to the Officer of the Deck (OOD) or Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD) to verify that you were in fact authorized liberty. Each of the enlisted crew was issued a Liberty Card identifying them by name and Duty Section assignment.  Only specific Duty Sections were authorized liberty at any one time. This Liberty Card was donated by CL 92 shipmate Walt Nebiker S1C 1947-48.
Money Exchange Receipt	The Money Exchange Receipt was used to "prove" that any foreign currency in the possession of a crew member was from a legal exchange of US funds made aboard ship. It was probably intended to help keep US money out of the black market (which always seemed to have a better exchange rate).
Shellback Card	Shellback Cards were given to those who had crossed the equator and had been duly initiated into "King Neptune's Court". The card was in addition to a certificate received by each crew member so initiated. This Shellback Card is from the collection of CL 92 shipmate Earl Philbeck, S2/C 1945-1946. and was earned during CL 92's 05 November 45 crossing of the equator.
U.S. Postal Money Order Receipt	In addition to handling the mail, the ship's Post Office sold Money Orders to the crew. For most of us the Money Order was the best means of "mailing" funds to someone. Back then, who had a checking account? (And ATM's hadn't yet been invented!) The two receipts shown were donated by Wallace B. Cardwell BM3, OL Div. (1966 - 1968). Wally says he can't recall who he sent the $1.00 and $3.90 Money Orders to.
U.S.S. Little Rock CL 92 Commissioning Program 17 June 1945	A Commissioning Program provides the sequence of events and lists the major participants in the commmissioning of a naval vessel. The events include the act of simultaneouslyraising  the ensign, jack and commissioning pennant which marks the actual moment the ship joins the fleet. This is followed by the new Commanding Officer reporting that the ship has been placed in commission and that he is assuming command.	Front & Back Pages
		Pages 1 & 4
		Pages 2 & 3
U.S.S. Little Rock CG 4 Bicentennial Decommissioning Crew Member Certificate November 1976	Awarded to all CG 4 crewmembers who were involved with "bringing this Proud Lady to her last port."
"Correspondence"
Document Name	Use	Photo
Letter of Appreciation from the town of Hollis, Maine	This is a copy of a letter received via the Commandant First Naval District commending the men of the USS Little Rock for their help in fighting fires in Maine in 1947.
Letter from the Commandant 1st Naval District	A copy of a cover letter from the Commandant of the First Naval District dated 28 Nov 1947 forwarding the above referenced letter from the Selectmen at Hollis, Maine.
Certificate of Thanks	Recognition of support from USSLRA
"Atta-boy" Awards"
Document Name	Use	Photo
Congratulatory Letters
Unofficial Commendations
Bronze Man Award	The USS Little Rock's "Bronze Man" Award was presented by the Captain to individuals in recognition of theit "outstanding job performance." (Click HERE for a more detailed description of this award.)

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