Visits of state

The "Royal Chaplain" ready to administer the last rites to unfortunate pollywogs. This is part of the Crossing the Equator ceremony that took place on board the USS Missouri as President Harry S. Truman and his party returned to the United States from an official visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

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."

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."

Appointment Secretary Matthew Connelly undergoes royal surgery. He is participating in a ceremony upon crossing the equator, in the USS Missouri during President Harry S. Truman's return from Brazil. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro."

Original caption: "Small talk at the court." This is a scene from a crossing the equator ceremony on the USS Missouri. President Harry S. Truman (not in this picture) is returning from Brazil. All are unidentified. From the album "President Truman's Trip to Rio de Janeiro.