Life at sea during wartime could feel impossibly far from home, but Christmas aboard the Battleship North Carolina carried its own kind of warmth — built from music, makeshift decorations, shared packages, and the small kindnesses that reminded sailors they weren’t alone. These are the memories the crew left behind, glimpses of how they held onto the spirit of the season while serving thousands of miles from family.
Christmas 1941: A Simple Day Filled with Comfort
Christmas, 1941
Reveille sounded early that Christmas morning, and before the crew could clear the sleep from their eyes, Christmas carols poured gently through the loudspeakers. It “certainly made us all feel good deep inside.” A calm, cheerful voice followed — announcing no working parties for the day and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
After breakfast, the ship came alive as sailors decorated the messing spaces with supplies gathered ashore. “It was a lot of fun,” and by dinnertime, the Showboat “really looked swell.” The crew paused long enough for Mass and a divine service, then spent the afternoon opening Christmas packages that had miraculously arrived right on time — sharing their treats freely with each other.
That evening brought a “swell movie below decks,” and for a moment, the war felt far away.
Christmas 1943: Laughter, Longing, and a Chaplain’s Gift
By mid-December 1943, after 30 days at sea, the North Carolina had finally reached Efate in the New Hebrides for a bit of rest and recovery. “We got mail, fuel, ammunition and food,” remembered Lloyd Glick, Musician 2/c, and the crew “settled down for a nice quiet Christmas.”
Holidays at sea could feel lonely. Usually, the highlights were the Christmas meal and the arrival of mail, recalled Chuck Paty, Radioman 3/c. But that year, Chaplain Everett Wuebbens arranged something unforgettable: a burlesque show with skits, dances, strip tease acts, and plenty of comedy — including crew members dressed in drag, wearing wigs made from manila line.
Christmas Show, 1943
Then came a moment no one forgot. The Chaplain asked the men to remain seated. He had collected $5.00 from sailors with children back home, sent the funds to Macy’s to buy gifts, and the store gathered the families to record film reels of each mother and child saying “Hi” to their husbands and fathers aboard the ship.
“I don’t believe there were many dry eyes that night,” said Bill Taylor, Boatswain Mate 1/c.
On Christmas morning, carols from the ship’s band played over the loudspeakers. But soon, the ship was underway again, ordered back to sea to support a carrier attack. Many likely shared the wish of Boatswain Mate 1/c Paul Wieser: A Merry Christmas and a Victorious New Year.
Christmas 1944–1946: Holding Onto Home
15:15 Rehearsal for Christmas Carolers in the W.O. Mess — Plan of the Day, December 23, 1944
15:15 Rehearsal for Christmas Carolers in the W.O. Mess
On December 24, 1944, the North Carolina received 200 bags of mail and packages. And on Christmas Day, “got some more mail on board and the band sang Christmas carols over the loud speaker — it sure was nice,” recalled Jack Westphal.
Christmas of 1944 found the ship deep in the Philippines campaign. Decorations are harder to remember, but the holiday meal — served so far from home — was “remarkably authentic.” Three gifts stood out that year:
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a can of milk chocolate from home that had gone stale and turned white,
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a beautiful gold pen knife from a wife for censoring mail,
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and a first aid kit from the Women’s Society for Christian Service of the Methodist church back home.
USS NORTH CAROLINA crew member dressed as Santa Claus for Christmas, 1944
“Such a morale builder,” said Tracy Wilder. “But the ladies were thinking like Moms, we supposed. We blessed them anyway.”
Gordon Knapp remembered the 1945 season differently — with warmth.
“The Christmas season was a very special time for the crew. Cards were taped inside our lockers; small decorations were given to offices and compartments where safety was not compromised. There were special menus and music was piped throughout the ship from V-discs. We shared cards, pictures and even love letters. We were a happy crew.”
By 1946, the crew was planning something joyful and enormous:
A gigantic Christmas party aboard the North Carolina for the schoolchildren of the officers and men. The ship and mess halls would be decorated with holly, wreaths, and Christmas trees — and every effort would be made “to show the children a good time.” The Recreation Committee led the charge.
— Showboat Newsletter, December 15, 1946