St. Louis, MO—September 14, 2021— USS St. Louis: Centuries of Service, produced by Nine PBS, recounts the proud lineage of ships named USS St. Louis in the United States military since the founding of our country, but it’s the one out at sea now that is instilling a big wave of civic pride. “It’s connecting a landlocked city to a navy ship and the crew that sails upon her,” says Nine PBS’s Kara Vaninger, producer and writer of the film.
The special premieres Monday, September 27, 7 pm, with encores September 29, 9 pm, and October 3, 9:30 am on Nine PBS. It also can be livestreamed during broadcast or streamed anytime at ninepbs.org and the PBS Video App.
At the core of the documentary is the World War II-era USS St. Louis, one of the most decorated U.S. Navy ships of all time. Based in Pearl Harbor, the ship earned 11 battle stars throughout the war, earning the name “Lucky Lou.”
USS St. Louis: Centuries of Service, a partnership with Soldiers Memorial Military Museum and the Missouri Historical Society, recounts each ship’s rich and surprising history and follows the current USS St. Louis LCS-19 as she and her crew experience the naval traditions and milestones that take a ship from concept to active service in the U.S. Navy.
“We are especially proud of this most recent collaboration with Nine PBS. St. Louis is always strongest when its finest organizations and staffs work together towards a common goal. USS St. Louis: Centuries of Service is the latest example of the excellence that combined efforts can produce,” says Dr. Frances Levine, president and CEO, Missouri Historical Society.
The film includes the dramatic side launch of the 3,500-ton ship during its August 8, 2020, commissioning ceremony in Mayport, FL, and footage at the U.S. Navy Memorial, the Naval History and Heritage Command headquarters, both in Washington, DC, and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. The Commissioning Committee worked with the Saint Louis Council of the Navy League of the U.S.
St. Louisan Barbara Broadhurst Taylor, the current ship's sponsor and guiding star, organized and directed the Commissioning Committee. She proudly grew up in a military family (her father was an Air Force general). She presented Lucky Lou’s battle-scarred flag from Pearl Harbor, folded in a glass box, to the crew after the commissioning ceremony.
“To witness the skill and commitment of the officers and crew of USS St. Louis as they brought our magnificent ship to life has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” says Taylor.
“It is not literally true that a ship is an inanimate object. Those of us who have served in war ships believe that they have a soul, so we have a hard time thinking of war ships as just pieces of steel,” says Paul Stillwell, a historian and retired naval officer who hails from Springfield, MO.
Watch the Nine PBS trailer here.
About Nine PBS
As an essential community institution, Nine PBS exists to enable access to information, knowledge, and learning opportunities for all. We tell stories that move us. We meet people where they are the most comfortable consuming content. Nine PBS’s platforms include four distinct broadcast channels (Nine PBS, Nine PBS KIDS®, Nine PBS World, and Nine PBS Create), ninepbs.org, social media, the free PBS Video App, streaming services, live and virtual events, and the Public Media Commons. Since 1954, Nine PBS has accepted the community’s invitation into their homes, schools, and businesses.
About Soldiers Memorial Military Museum
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, located in downtown St. Louis, is operated by the Missouri Historical Society. Following a $30 million revitalization, Soldiers Memorial reopened in November 2018 as a state-of-the-art museum that honors military service members, veterans, and their families. Exhibits offer a comprehensive look at American military history through the lens of St. Louis. Soldiers Memorial offers programs and outreach services including special exhibits; tours; theatrical and musical presentations; programs for school classes and youth groups; special events; workshops; and lectures. The revitalization of Soldiers Memorial was paid for by anonymous donors to the Missouri Historical Society. Learn more: mohistory.org/memorial.
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mhuelskamp@ninepbs.org