MOBILE, Ala. – USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is honored to welcome former USS ALABAMA Crewman, Mr. Bernard J. Teevan back to the USS ALABAMA on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.

Mr. Teevan will be visiting to see the newly completed teak deck on the USS ALABAMA as well as the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL afterward. He will be flying home to Kansas City, Missouri on Friday morning. USS ALABAMA Battleship Commissioner and former executive director Bill Tunnell stated, “It’s going to be a great day as so few of these heroes are still with us. Mr. Teevan is one of a handful who can still travel. Can’t wait to see him again.”

Born in County Cavan, Ireland (Republic of Ireland) on September 23, 1925, Bernard Joseph Teevan, Jr. moved with his parents to the United States in Missouri in October 1926.

Teevan enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve (USNR) with “V6” status on December 15, 1943. In late March/early April of 1944, Teevan received orders to report to his first ship duty assignment aboard the South Dakota-class battleship USS Alabama (BB-60), at this time located in the South Pacific.

On May 6, 1944, Teevan came aboard the USS. Alabama (BB-60) at Majuro (Atoll) in the Marshall Islands (South Pacific). Assigned to the 8TH Division (5”/38 Mounts #8 and #10), he was a gunner in the Upper Handling Room of Mount #8 as a “First Loader” and held the initial rating of Seaman Second-Class (S2c V6). Teevan participated in the “Lucky A’s” Pacific Theater Campaigns (May 1944 to September 1945) with the 3RD and 5TH Fleets.

Teevan continued to serve aboard the Alabama on her trip back home to the U.S. West Coast. Prior to his discharge from the U.S. Navy, Teevan received a change in rating to Seaman First Class (S1c) USN. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy on April 1, 1946. World War II Medal and Ribbons awarded to Bernard J, Teevan include: the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

After his discharge from the U.S. Navy, Teevan returned home to Missouri where he met his future wife, Betty Teevan. The two raised three children and have remained in Missouri. He has a small farm in Carroll County, Missouri that has kept him busy over the years.

For more information, please call Ashleigh Milne at 251-287-3636.

USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is located at 2703 Battleship Parkway in Mobile, Alabama.