Presidential trips

Frank Dennis, a reporter for the Washington Post, on the "operating table" as he participates in the crossing the Equator ceremony on board the USS Missouri. He is a member of President Harry S. Truman's party that is traveling back to the United States from an official visit to Brazil on board the USS Missouri. All others are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

The royal cop. This photo documents the activities of the staff and crew on the USS Missouri as they cross the equator during President Harry S. Truman's return voyage from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

Another "shellback" is launched from the tank. This photo documents the crossing the Equator ceremony that took place on the USS Missouri during the trip of President Harry S. Truman and his party from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to the United States. All are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

Another "shellback" is launched from the tank. This is part of the "Crossing the Equator" ceremony that took place on the USS Missouri. President Harry S. Truman and members of his party participated in the ceremony as they returned to the United States from a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

Another "shellback" is launched from the tank. This photo shows the activities of President Harry S. Truman's staff and the crew of the USS Missouri during a crossing the equator ceremony. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

Original caption: Merriman Smith (reporter) assumes a peaceful pose as he hits the "cool." Mr. Smith is participating in a crossing the equator ceremony on board the USS Missouri, as one of the members of the press who traveled with President Harry S. Truman to Brazil. Others are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

This pollywog didn't want to, but he did! This is a photo from the crossing the equator ceremony and festivities that took place aboard the USS Missouri. This ceremony was held for the crew of the ship and members of President Harry S. Truman's party as they returned to the United States from Brazil. All are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

The royal sawbones ponders where to start on Jack Romagna. This photo documents the activities of staff and the crew of the USS Missouri as they cross the equator, on President Truman's return voyage from Brazil. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

Original caption: "General Wallace Graham gets "the works." The White House physician, General Wallace Graham, participates in a crossing the equator ceremony while on board the USS Missouri, returning with President Harry S. Truman to the United States from a trip to Brazil. Others are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

President Truman and his daughter, Margaret, enjoy the festivities in the crossing the equator ceremony on the USS Missouri, returning from their trip to Brazil. Others are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."