USS Missouri Returns Ambassador Mehmet Münir Ertegün's Remains to Türkiye
1946-04-05
Marines stood at attention aboard USS Missouri on 5 April 1946 as Mehmet Münir Ertegün’s remains were lowered over the ship’s side at Dolmabahçe. Gun salutes left smoke above the water. The Turkish ambassador had died in Washington in November 1944; the battleship had now brought him home with full honors. [1] [2]
Turkish leaders were confronting Soviet pressure when the American battleship arrived. Ankara was seeking outside support, and the visit brought a conspicuous display of American naval power into Turkish waters. [2]
Ambassador Edwin Wilson reported from Ankara a week later that the American sailors had received an extraordinary welcome. In his judgment, Turkish officials and the public saw the visit as evidence that Washington would oppose Soviet interference with their independence. No new defense guarantee accompanied the voyage; American commitments of aid and alliance followed later. [2]
Related Diplomats
Sources
- USS Missouri at Dolmabahçe, photograph 80-G-376893 — Naval Historical Center reproduction
Dewey Wrigley photograph and official Navy caption
- Ambassador Wilson assesses the Missouri visit — FRUS
Telegram 423, paragraphs 1–4 and editorial footnote 39
- USS Missouri, photograph 80-G-376893 — Naval History and Heritage Command
Original Navy catalog link retained; the Naval Historical Center reproduction supplies the inspected caption.
- Missouri III (BB-63) — Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
Original approved-preview ship history retained; April 1946 voyage corroborated by the photograph and Wilson telegram.
- Mission history and former chiefs of mission
- Wilson to the Embassy in Turkey, 4 April 1947
Related Reading
Cite This Article
USS Missouri Returns Ambassador Mehmet Münir Ertegün's Remains to Türkiye. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record 03a13f06cf47a4f79748. https://chanceries.org/research/history/missouri-1946-bfc8009c37/