The name of a US Navy ship is located on the transom; the flat, vertical part of the ship at the back of the stern. The stern plate includes the letters that are individually cut out of stainless steel or aluminum, welded in place, then painted, usually in black.

When a ship is decommissioned and scrapped, the stern plate is usually cut-out and saved. Thankfully, one of the contractors that scrapped the USS Stark, kept the stern plate knowing that someone would probably want it. Janna Ryals, who's brother was killed on the Stark, happened to run across someone that knew where it was. Here is the text from the chat room conversation and photos of the stern plate being refurbished.

March 4, 2015, 8:00pm
Janna Ryals: The 37 lost souls.

March 5, 2015, 12:25am
Russ Owens: When Stark was scrapped, the stern plate was saved. It needs a proper home! Stark Association wasn't interested. Can't figure why. It is in suburban Chicago.

March 5, 2015, 12:26am
Carl Boggs: that is odd Russ Owens.

March 5, 2015, 12:28am
Russ Owens: I was told they turned it down. Maybe no place for it, or didn't want to cover the cost. I know where it is.

March 5, 2015, 5:41am
Janna Ryals: Carl Boggs, who has that name plate and how big is it?

March 5, 2015, 8:12am
Carl Boggs: I have no idea who has it. Ask Russ Owens.

March 5, 2015, 2:40pm
Russ Owens: The stern name plate of STARK is in "redacted" back yard in Des Plaines, IL. It is about 9 feet lont, 2 feet high, and weighs maybe 200 pounds. Rich is not a member here, but I can contact him. It certainly is available. Don't know why it is not in Mayport. Stark Assn turned it down. Money?

March 5, 2015, 8:13pm
Janna Ryals: I'd certainly like to have it Russ Owens. I'm planning on going down to the reunion that the Stark crew has every anniversary in Mayport. I'm sure if they can't get it to be part of the memorial, then one of the crew members might have another memorial idea. I know there are several memorials for the deceased members in various town in this country.

So, Janna got the stern plate, brought it to Mayport, and it is now on display!!

USS Stark being scrapped Stern plate of the USS Stark Reverse side of the stern plate Stern plate cut down to size Stern plate primed for new paint
Building the stern plate mount Building the stern plate mount Building the stern plate mount Building the stern plate mount Building the stern plate mount
Building the stern plate mount Building the stern plate mount Building the stern plate mount Building the stern plate mount Complete stern plate mount
Dedication of the Stark Classroom Dedication of the Stark Classroom Dedication of the Stark Classroom USS Stark stern plate in it's new home USS Stark crew surrounding the stern plate at a Memorial Service