Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "U.S.S. Wisconsin" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood Commemorative Cover for the U.S.S. Wisconsin. The U.S.S. Wisconsin was one of the most powerful fighting ships ever built. Commissioned on 16 April 1944 with Captain Earl E. Stone in command, U.S.S. Wisconsin saw her first active duty in the Pacific with Admiral William "Bull" Halsey's 3rd Fleet. She participated in the reconquest of the Philippines as part of Task Force 38. Her heavy guns helped neutralize the Japanese forces on Formosa, Luzon, and Nansei Shoto. As the Lingayen Gulf operations unfolded, U.S.S. Wisconsin provided invaluable shelling support and cover. Re-assigned to the 5th Fleet, U.S.S. Wisconsin became an integral part of Task Force 58 which headed for Tokyo. On 16 February 1945, the task force approached the Japanese coast under the cover of adverse weather. They achieved complete surprise, and shot down 322 enemy planes and destroyed 177 more on the ground. At War's end, she served as part of the "Magic Carpet" operation which brought American servicemen back to the states. During the Korean Conflict, U.S.S. Wisconsin sailed as flagship of the 7th Fleet. On 15 March 1952 she arrived off Songjin, Korea and concentrated her powerful 16-inch guns on an enemy troop train, destroying it. During the shelling she received her first-ever direct hit -- as if personally affronted her guns susbsequently blasted the enemy battery into oblivion. She received five Battle Stars for her service in World War II and one for her service in Korea. Image Size: 13.75 x 15.75 in. Overall Size: 20.5 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B10856)