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The Mobile Rundown
A Special Homecoming for 99-Year-Old Navy Veteran
1 days ago
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For his 99th birthday, World War II veteran Bernard "Ben" Teevan asked for just one gift—a chance to return to the USS Alabama, the battleship he called home nearly 80 years ago.
The Missouri native, who served aboard the ship from 1944 to 1946, made the journey back to Mobile, where he was greeted with memories, emotions, and a flood of stories from his days as a young sailor.
Walking the decks of the USS Alabama, Ben Teevan couldn’t help but be swept back to the days when he served during some of the most intense moments of the war.
“I’ll never forget June 1944,” he recalled. “We were out in the seas, and we had three typhoons—one day and one night of craziness.”
That experience, along with countless others aboard the ship, helped shape his life and left an indelible mark on his memory.
Teevan spoke with reverence about his time on the USS Alabama, saying he felt "very fortunate" to have been assigned to the battleship.
As he toured the ship during his visit, touching parts of the vessel that remained unchanged from his service days, emotions ran high.
“It almost brings tears to my eyes,” Ben said, his voice heavy with nostalgia. “I had a little difficulty trying to keep from crying. I still have one of the original diaries the ship put together.”
A Veteran’s Sharp Recollections
Despite the decades that have passed, Ben’s memory of the ship remains crystal clear.
His friend, Rodney Baldwin, who brought him to Alabama for this special trip, was in awe of Ben’s detailed recollections.
“Ben is so sharp,” Baldwin said. “He remembers the length of the ship, so many details about it during the war. All the time, he talks about it.”
Baldwin, who has long admired Ben’s stories of his service, was more than happy to make this birthday wish come true.
Listening to Ben’s vivid memories, Baldwin and his family have gained a deeper appreciation for what the crew aboard the USS Alabama endured.
For Ben, this trip is a gift he will hold close for the rest of his life, and it offered a chance to relive some of the most important years of his past.
A Legacy of Service and Sacrifice
Ben’s time aboard the USS Alabama wasn’t just about serving his country; it was about shaping history.
As a member of the crew, Ben was part of the pivotal Pacific Theater campaigns that helped turn the tide of World War II.
“We saved the country,” he reflected. “We changed the course of the world.”
Now, at 99, Ben acknowledges that this visit will likely be his last to the ship.
But the memories of his service, his shipmates, and the battles they fought will remain with him forever.
As Ben walked the decks, surrounded by both new faces and the familiar steel of the battleship, it was clear that the USS Alabama still holds a special place in his heart.
One Last Visit to Honor the Past
Before heading back to his Missouri home, Ben plans to visit the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola.
This final stop will cap off a birthday celebration that not only brought back memories of his service but also connected him once more to the ship and country he helped defend.
Ben’s visit is a reminder of the sacrifices made by the greatest generation and the deep bond that remains between Mobile, the USS Alabama, and the veterans who served aboard her.
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