2 in Iowa Blast Reportedly Bought Trade-Off Policies

Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into a tip that two crew members of the battleship Iowa had bought life insurance policies before the explosion that killed 47 sailors, it was reported today.

The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star of Norfolk said federal authorities are looking into reports that the crewmen, one of whom died in the blast, took out life insurance policies more than a year ago naming each other as beneficiaries. Both policies were for $50,000, with a double-indemnity clause in case of accidental death, the sister of a crewman killed in the incident said.

She identified the beneficiary as one of the 11 men who survived the gun turret blast. The woman, who spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity and asked that her brother’s name be withheld as well, said she raised the insurance question with the Navy.

Agents from the Naval Investigative Service and the FBI have questioned crewmen this week and have begun analyzing evidence recovered from the turret, the newspaper said.

Officials contacted by the newspaper about a possible criminal investigation acknowledged that the naval service and FBI were questioning the beneficiary but would not elaborate.

The newspaper said Navy investigators also have learned that the gun turret was significantly undermanned and that a number of those working in the turret lacked required training.

Turret No. 2, one of three on the 887-foot ship, had far fewer crewmen assigned than either of the two others, despite recommendations from the Iowa’s gunnery officer two months before the April 19 explosion that the numbers be increased.

The gun turret should have had 90 people inside to perform the delicate work of moving gunpowder and shells. Fifty-eight crew members were inside on the day of the explosion.