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We Honor and Remember:
GM1 Ernest Edward Hanyecz
Hometown: Bordentown, New Jersey, U.S. Age: 27 years old. Died: April 19, 1989 at sea off Puerto Rico. Unit: U.S. Navy - Battleship USS Iowa. Birth: August 8, 1961. Gunner's Mate, 1st Class (GM1), Ernest Edward Hanyecz was one of 47 sailors killed when 550 pounds of gunpowder exploded inside the No. 2, 16-inch gun turret on the battleship USS Iowa off Puerto Rico. He was a 10-year Navy veteran and had just re-upped for another 4 years. His plans were for a 20 year career in the Navy. He had served on 2 other ships, including a stint on the battleship USS New Jersey patrolling waters off Beirut in 1984. He graduated from Bordentown Regional High School. He is survived by his wife, April Elizabeth Carter Hanyecz; two sons, Michael and Matthew; his parents, Ernie and Ann Hanyecz; two sisters, Diane Heupel and Karen Hanyecz; and his paternal grandmother, Frances Hanyecz. Service was held at St. Mary's Church, Crosswicks Street, Bordentown. Interment with full military honors was held in the parish cemetery. Burial: Saint Marys Cemetery, Bordentown, Burlington County, New Jersey, USA. |
NORFOLK, Va. — Remembering a tragic chapter in U.S. Navy history.
34 years ago, an explosion aboard the battleship USS Iowa killed 47 local sailors.
April 19, 1989. It was peace-time. Long before 9-11. Long before the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And then, at 9:53 am, for the USS Iowa, everything changed. The number two turret exploded, killing 47 sailors.
On this 34th anniversary, dozens of former crew members came to Iowa Point at Naval Station Norfolk to recite the names of the fallen reflect upon their loss.
"It's to remember them and to show support for those that survived. Those that survived are the ones we can help now. And I do what I can," said Marvin Hall, a former Iowa sailor.
Roland Cole, a former Iowa sailor, said "I think it's very important that we come here every year to pay respect to those 47 sailors."
David Canfield was another former Iowa sailor. He said it's not a day to be sad.
"And you know, a lot of us that went through that day, we dwell on the time that we lost our friends But I try really hard these days to remember how they lived, not how they died." Canfield said.
"These are the guys we went on liberty with. These are the guys we served on boats with. These are the guys we went and partied with. I don't want to remember how they died. I want to remember how they lived," Canfield said.
The original Navy investigation found that the explosion "most probably" was an act of sabotage. A subsequent Navy probe determined that there was no evidence that the blast was caused intentionally. In a third investigation, the Government Accountability Office concluded the mishap was likely the result of an accidental over-ram of gun powder.
34 years ago, an explosion aboard the battleship USS Iowa killed 47 local sailors.
April 19, 1989. It was peace-time. Long before 9-11. Long before the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And then, at 9:53 am, for the USS Iowa, everything changed. The number two turret exploded, killing 47 sailors.
On this 34th anniversary, dozens of former crew members came to Iowa Point at Naval Station Norfolk to recite the names of the fallen reflect upon their loss.
"It's to remember them and to show support for those that survived. Those that survived are the ones we can help now. And I do what I can," said Marvin Hall, a former Iowa sailor.
Roland Cole, a former Iowa sailor, said "I think it's very important that we come here every year to pay respect to those 47 sailors."
David Canfield was another former Iowa sailor. He said it's not a day to be sad.
"And you know, a lot of us that went through that day, we dwell on the time that we lost our friends But I try really hard these days to remember how they lived, not how they died." Canfield said.
"These are the guys we went on liberty with. These are the guys we served on boats with. These are the guys we went and partied with. I don't want to remember how they died. I want to remember how they lived," Canfield said.
The original Navy investigation found that the explosion "most probably" was an act of sabotage. A subsequent Navy probe determined that there was no evidence that the blast was caused intentionally. In a third investigation, the Government Accountability Office concluded the mishap was likely the result of an accidental over-ram of gun powder.
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NOTE: "April E." was Ernest's wife who was Born on April 30, 1963.
