A/N: Published April 19, 2022.

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The Woman Who Challenged the US Navy

Wisconsin pulled into the parking lot on Hughes Dr north of the Norfolk Naval Air Station Golf Course. When she got out of her car, she brought a wreath adorned with Rosa Arkansana, the flowers' pink petals shone brightly in contrast to the overcast sky. As she walked towards the path leading to rocky shore Wisconsin noticed a change in her annual routine. In front of the path entrance were the Cleveland/Galveston-class cruiser Little Rock and the Gato-class submarine Croaker. Little Rock sent a small wave towards Wisconsin and Wisconsin returned with a nod and a quizzical look. Croaker acknowledged Wisconsin when she noticed the Iowa-class and answered the quizzical look by looking down the path. The battleship followed the submarine's gaze and started to walk down the bush-lined concrete walkway. She walked past the two blue, yellow-tipped 16" projectiles towards the stone slab at the end of the path. On the slab was a plaque with the USS Iowa (BB-61) on it along with "We Remember Turret Two," "April 19, 1989," and the names and rates of the 47 sailors.

Standing in front of the memorial was a short girl in World War II-era Navy enlisted dress blues. The wool of the dress blues would be warmer than the dungarees Wisconsin had worn that day but apparently Wisconsin's "thick skin" kept her warm.

"Hello, 'The Sullivans, named in honor of the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa,'" Wisconsin said, quoting the Fletcher-class's greeting whenever a self-introduction was needed, in a good-hearted yet sympathetic tone. "What brings you out here today?"

"I…" The Sullivans began but faltered when she looked up into Wisconsin's eyes.

Wisconsin shifted her gaze so she no longer stared straight at The Sullivans but kept the destroyer in her peripheral vision close to the center of her gaze. The battleship patiently saw the tin can open her mouth to speak but closed it before words came out, which happened several times. The Sullivans turned her gaze onto the memorial plaque, and Wisconsin did too as she remembered the wreath in her hands. Wisconsin studied the horizon and the wreath's leaves and petals slightly swaying in the ocean breeze.

"I don't know…" The Sullivans began quietly and looked back at Wisconsin. "I'm worried…about Iowa…what to say to her."

"What is it you want to tell her?" Wisconsin asked.

"You know her turret explosion?"

Wisconsin thought it was an odd question for someone to ask one of Iowa's sisters about the turret explosion, and The Sullivan's face turning red indicated that she realized it too.

Wisconsin only nodded, and The Sullivans continued.

"And the Navy tried to pin it on Hartwig? His older sister, Kathleen Kubicina, who ferociously defended her brother against the Navy's findings and only got an unofficial public apology from Admiral Frank Kelso? She recently passed away, and I don't know how to tell Iowa. Or if she even knows. Does she know?"

The Sullivans's tears started to flow and Wisconsin knelt down.

"I'm not sure," Wisconsin said. "Whether she knows or not she'll be grateful for the information."

Wisconsin offered the wreath adorned with Iowa's state flower to The Sullivans and gestured to the memorial. The Sullivans took it into her hands and set it at the base below the plaque. She finished her motion with a bow and a salute.

"Come on. Let's fix those leaks of yours," Wisconsin said as she wiped The Sullivans's tears with a tissue.

A/N: This was sent to me in a private message over a year ago.

Kathleen Marie Kubicina was GM2 Clayton Hartwig's older sister. Beyond the publicized events of the Hartwig family suing the US Navy for multiple reasons related to Iowa's turret explosion and the Navy's subsequent investigation, Kathleen Marie Kubicina was very proactive in defending her brother's name and, according to the obituaries I've read, was very close to the families of the Kool Kids (Iowa's 47 sailors) and veterans who served on Iowa. She passed away in 2020.

On another note, I'm sure most of you are aware that USS The Sullivans (DD-537) has taken on a massive amount of water and a list has part of her stern sitting in the mud at the bottom the Buffalo River. Donations towards saving The Sullivans – whether direct or through their gift shop – are greatly appreciated and will be a great help. According to the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park social media and YouTube, when the time comes, volunteers will also be a great help. And as the flag on the shore (as well as one on USS Ling (SS-297)) says, "Don't Give Up The Ship."

On a happier note, USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) has returned to the US from deployment. Welcome home!