ussnewmexico

On the left side of the frame is Harold J. Pohl (USN) (1903-1992), USNA 1926. See: www.findagrave.com/memorial/49299419/harold-john-pohl At center is William H. Harrison (USMC) (1896-1955) From Wikipedia: Harrison remained at Quantico until June 1929, when he was promoted to the rank of captain and appointed commanding officer of the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS New Mexico. While aboard that vessel, he participated in patrol cruises in the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans until July 1931. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Harrison_(USMC)

"USS New Mexico (BB-40) was a battleship in service with the United States Navy from 1918 to 1946." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Mexico_%28BB-40%29

A very similar photo was printed in the Richmond times-dispatch., June 20, 1917, Image 14 chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045389/1917-06-20/ed-...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Mexico_(BB-40)

This launching, on April 23, 1917, was under wartime conditions, with the crowd limited to 1,000 under high security. Crowds of 25,000 had seen prior battleship launches. query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9904E4D8153AE4...

B-59, Richard Norton, and Art Siegel: Thanks for pointing us to more complete information on this ship and the launching event. It will be great to include additional information in our next update to the description.

My father was stationed on the USS New Mexico from 1933 to 1939. Not a lot of information about the ship during that period. His service records reference mostly training exercises and tactical maneuvers with the Asiatic Fleet. Also believe he went through the canal as the BB40 was in Guantanamo Bay Cuba in Feb 1939.