U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association

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Don Stivers’ Warrant Officer Print “LET GO!”

 

“LET GO!”

Commissioned by USAWOA & painted by the late noted military Artist Don Stivers

 

The U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA) is pleased to announce the availability of unique Warrant Officer art by late contemporary military artist Don Stivers.  USAWOA commissioned one thousand prints.  Each print shows the USAWOA logo, a serial number, and the signature the artist's daughter.

 

The artwork commemorates the birth of the Army Warrant Officer Corps: that being the July 1918 act of Congress founding the Army Mine Planter Service as part of the Coast Artillery Corps.  The act designated warrant officers to serve as masters, mates, chief engineers and assistant engineers of mine-planting vessels.

 

 

The artwork is the first by the late Mr. Stivers with a maritime theme and it depicts Army Mine Planters in action.  A warrant officer (of First Mate rank) is shouting “Let Go!”  Upon that command, a mine was released from the Mine Planter ship and placed in the water.  We have chosen that to be the title of the print.

 

Contact mines were simply anchored to the bottom.  However, mines that were fired by an electrical impulse were connected to an onshore observation and firing station by a series of cables and distribution boxes.  “Let Go!” portrays this action with electrical mines being planted from a “planter” ship.  Several smaller distribution boats (called “L” boats) stand by to receive the cables.

 

Mine Planter warrant officers served with distinction in this hazardous field through both World Wars and other conflicts, protecting America’s coastal cities and seaports.  Additionally, Mine Planters saw duty in the waters off the Philippines as well as Central and South America.

 

Although primarily coastal ships by design and mission, two mine planter ships were lost to enemy action.  The ship Planter Frank was lost in 1942 near Maui, Hawaii, and the Harrison was captured by the Japanese in the Philippines and sunk in 1945.

 

The Army Mine Planter Service was discontinued in 1948.  However, the formation of the Service was the genesis of the Army Warrant Officer Corps.  Some 90 plus years later, Warrant Officers of the active Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve proudly carry forward the rich heritage and traditions of the “Mine Planters” of their heritage, and demonstrate professional mastery of highly technical, military skills.

 

In tribute to the service of the Mine Planters Service and in recognition of today’s Army Warrant Officers, the late Don Stivers created this work “Let Go!”

 

Ordering policy

 

1.  The USAWOA-commissioned print will be sold only to USAWOA members.  The artist has made an additional 1,000 prints (without the USAWOA logo) available to his dealer network.

 

2.  Price of the print (unframed) is $195.00.  (Virginia residents add $9.75 VA Sales Tax.)  Price includes shipping in a durable, flat container.  Prints are shipped directly from the artist’s studio, none are available at the USAWOA home office.

 

 

Resale Bulletin Board

 

USAWOA continues to receive requests from individuals who wish to purchase or sell the earlier Don Stivers "The Quiet Professional" print.  The print is sold out.  Therefore we have placed a Resale Bulletin Board on USAWOA Online.  The is no cost for the  notice. Transactions are between the seller and buyer.  USAWOA will neither handle the prints nor the purchase funds. Send request to be included in the Resale Bulletin Board to .

 

 

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USAWOA Online 12/8/2009