Update Jan. 1, 2024 / For some reason this story from several years ago has been receiving lots of eyeballs on New Year’s Day 2024. We do know the story rings timely and true. Have a good year!
Original Post, July 17, 2020 / IMPERIUM NEPTUNI REGIS CERTIFICATE
While going through a big box of books and other items passed on to us after my dad died last August, we uncovered an Imperium Neptuni Regis Certificate all rolled up in a tube package along with my dad’s 1941 high school diploma from Akron, Ohio.
The Imperium Neptuni Regis Certificate was news to me.
The Imperium Neptuni Regis Certificate recognizes my dad’s crossing the equator on May 6, 1943, when he was serving among the U.S. Navy Seabees aboard the SS MorMacPort, heading toward the south sea islands during World War II.
When unrolled, we noted water marks, wrinkles, fading and other signs of age; and for a day or two we considered having the document restored, if possible. The more I thought about it, I figured simply framing it “as is” would be just fine and I wondered when Dad might have last looked at it, mindful that I’ll never know.
The large banner reading Imperium Neptuni Regis, translates to “The Empire of King Neptune” and the graphics depict a sea world.
Unfamiliar with the milestone event at the equator because Dad never mentioned it, I headed to my trusted World Book published in 1989 to refresh my memory about Neptune and other mythological beings that date back to ancient Rome and Greece. (I find I still learn best when I read print and look at photos plastered on pages of books.)
Simply put, Neptune was the god of the sea in Roman mythology. Portrayed as a tall, white-bearded figure, he carried a trident (a three pronged fisherman’s spear) and was known to “start and stop storms, smash rocks and create earthquakes.” Similar to the Greek god, Poseidon, Neptune is also associated with horse racing, likely because of early depictions of his being carried across the sea in a chariot pulled by a horse.
The above photo from World Book depicts Neptune in a fountain created by Flemish sculptor Giambologna in Bologna, Italy. Erected between 1564 and 1566, the sculpture has been restored and the story of its origins, including how it still stands, is featured online.
The certificate pictures Neptune with fish, mermaids and horses.
With fun-loving charm and recognition, the certificate with “fill in the blanks” reads…
“To all sailors wherever they may be… and to all Mermaids, Whales, Sea Serpents, Sharks, Dolphins, Eels, Skates, Suckers, Crabs, Lobsters and other Living Things of the Sea GREETING know ye that on this Sixth day of May 1943, in latitude 00000 and longitude 148 degrees W there appeared within our Royal Domain the Mormacport bound SW for the Equator and the Southwest Pacific.
Be it remembered that the said Vessel and Officers and Crew thereof have been inspected by Oneself and our Royal Staff. And be it known by all ye Sailors, Marines, Land Lubbers and others who may be honored by his presence that Donald James Crookston, having been found worthy to be numbered as one of our Trusty Shellbacks, he has been duly initiated into the SOLEMN MYSTERIES OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF THE DEEP.
Be it further understood that by the power invested in me, I do humbly command all my subjects to show due honor and respect to him wherever he may be.
Disobey this order under penalty of Our Royal Displeasure, given under our hand and seal on May 6, 1943.
(Signed) Davey Jones, His Majesty’s Scribe, and Neptunus Rex, Ruler of the Raging Main
I discovered the ceremony of crossing the equator—that imaginary circle around the Earth, equidistant from the North Pole and the South Pole— has been a part of Naval culture for more than 200 years. (The U.S. Navy was founded on Oct.13, 1775.) The Imperium Neptuni Regis Certificate was given to individuals who served with the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Seabees numbered some 260,000 individuals during World War II, mostly men in their 30s and 40s, skilled in construction trades in order to build pontoon causeways, roads, bases, airfields and wharf facilities. With deep pride in his country and love for liberty and peace, my dad joined the Navy right out of high school. He had grown up in a family of builders and inventors, and was eager to contribute to the war effort in a worthwhile way, using all the building and engineering skills he’d learned from his father’s construction business.
We called for an appointment that included current safety protocols, then headed again to Colbert Custom Framing and Art Printing for advice on mat choices and a frame for the 20″ x 16″ certificate, mindful that Stephanie Colbert Randall has a good eye with lots of experience. As we have many, many times over the past 25 years, we left our prized possession in the hands of the folks at Colbert. And there you go.
After an early morning phone call from Colbert Custom Framing earlier this week, we picked up our treasure, now in the ranks of our memorable family heirlooms to pass on and on.
First, however, we need to find prominent wall space for it to remind us of what we didn’t know about Dad until we began research for this post the other day.
As we’ve learned from many, many men and women who served in the military from 1939 to 1945, this greatest generation didn’t talk much about their experiences during World War II. In fact, it wasn’t until after Dad took the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in September 2016 at age 93 to visit the World War II Memorial, that he began sharing some of his stories as a Navy Seabee and we are forever grateful.
—Stephanie Penick
