SS Constitution Passenger List (December 7, 1954): A Transatlantic Journey of Diplomats, Celebrities, and Military Leaders

📌 Explore the SS Constitution’s December 7, 1954, passenger list from Naples to New York. Featuring U.S. Congressmen, military leaders, Hollywood elites, and business tycoons, this document captures the height of mid-century transatlantic luxury travel.

Front Cover of a First Class Passenger List from the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines, Departing 7 December 1954 from Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar, Commanded by Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen. GGA Image ID # 16127ad384

Senior Officers and Staff

• Commander: Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen
• Chief Engineer: John W. Miller
• Staff Captain: Edwin C. Kaminski
• Chief Officer: Gordon P. Parker
• Staff Chief Engineer: Milton N. Carraway
• First Assistant Engineer: Frederick W. Hirst
• Chief Radio Officer: Michael F. Zablocki
• Chief Purser: E. James Cooper
• Chief Surgeon: Dr. Charles Rogers
• Assistant Surgeon: Dr. Borge Stendorf
• First Class Purser: John F. Walker
• Chief Steward: Jack Haley
• Assistant Chief Steward: Ralph Herrera
• Social Directress: Miss Ruth Gallo
• Maître d'Hôtel: Goerge Tessier
• Chef de Cuisine: Giuseppe Antonini

Embarked at Naples

1. Mr. Edmund Austin
2. Mrs. Austin
3. Miss Judith Austin
4. Miss Barbara A. Austin
5. Mr. Pacifico Antonelli
6. Mrs. Antonelli
7. Mr. Agustine H. Ayers
8. Mrs. Ayers
9. Miss Marie T. M. Beauregard
10. Mr. Randolph Bohrer
11. Mrs. Bohrer
12. Mr. Eaton Cromwell
13. Mrs. Cromwell
14. Mr. John D. Darin
15. Mrs. Darin
16. Mr. Allen A. Dicke
17. Mrs. Dicke
18. The Hon. William R. Foley
19. The Hon. Michael A. Feighan
20. Mrs. Feighan
21. Mrs. Viola Garofano
22. Mrs. Regina Gass
23. Doctor Otto Gelormini
24. Mrs. Gelormini
25. Lt. Colonel Edwin Heywood
26. Mr. Milton Krims
27. Mrs. Franke D. Lokot
28. Mastr. Brian Lokot
29. Mr. Milton N. Lieberman
30. Mrs. Lieberman
31. Mr. William Lakeland
32. Mrs. Lakeland
33. Mstr. William R. Lakeland
34. Mstr. John C. Lakeland
35. Mr. Allison W. Ledbetter
36. Mrs. Ledbetter
37. Miss Louise Mongeau
38. Mr. Edgar Mosher, Jr.
39. Mrs. Mosher
40. Mr. Henry Muller
41. Mrs. Muller
42. Mr. Alexander Muratori
43. Mrs. Muratori
44. Miss Helen Noa
45. Most Rev. Thomas L. Noa
46. Mrs. Mary Jane O'Brien
47. Mstr. Kenneth O'Brien
48. Miss Sharon A. O'Brien
49. Capt. Alessandro Peloni
50. Mr. Louis Phillips
51. Mrs. Phillips
52. Major Steve Pisanos
53. Mrs. Pisanos
54. Mstr. Jefferey S. Pisanos
55. Miss Diane E. Pisanos
56. The Hon. Chauncey W. Reed
57. Mrs. Olive F. Reed
58. Mr. Philip T. Redfern
59. Lt. Colonel Hamilton Reger
60. Mrs. Reger
61. Miss Jean M. Reger
62. Mr. Eduardo Saenz Garcia Mrs. Saenz
63. Mr. Gino Anthony Stefanini
64. Mrs. Stefanini
65. Mr. Allan Bradley Sloss
66. The Hon Harold Shantz
67. Professor Edwin B. Stason
68. Mrs. Stason
69. Mr. Giuseppe Spagnolo
70. Mrs. Spagnolo
71. Mr. Charles H. Titus
72. Mrs. Titus
73. Mr. Leslie S. Tilley
74. Mrs. Tilley
75. Miss Salle E. Tilley
76. Mr. Walter Wien Mrs. Wien
77. Miss Constance Wien
78. Mr. Aubrey Wisberg
79. Mrs. Wisberg
80. The Hon. Stuyvesant Wainright
81. Mrs. Wainwright
82. Colonel William Westlake

Embarked at Genoa

83. Mr. Orville H. Bathe
84. Mrs. Bathe
85. Inf. David Hall Bathe
86. Mr, Leon F. Crouse
87. Mrs. Crouse
88. Mrs. Inez S. Cruise
89. General John R. Deane
90. Mrs. Deane
91. Major Robert V. Ebert
92. Mr. Eugene E. Escandon
93. Mrs. Escandon
94. Mr. Ralph Finocchiaro
95. Mrs. Finocchiaro
96. Mr. Louis Goldey
97. Mrs. Goldey
98. Mr. Samuel S. Hall, Jr.
99. Mrs. Hall
100. Lt. Colonel Lloyd E. Hirschhorn
101. Mrs. Hirschhorn
102. Miss Marietta L. Hirschhorn
103. Miss Irene Kurowski
104. Lt. Colonel Bennie R. Leach
105. Mrs. Leach
106. Mstr. Thomas I. Leach
107. Major William F. Martin
108. Mrs. Martin
109. Lt. Colonel John J. McCarthy
110. Mrs. McCarthy
111. Miss Mary McCarthy
112. Miss Margaret McCarthy
113. Major Howard F. Moeck
114. Mrs. Moeck
115. Mstr. Howard F. Moeck
116. Mstr. George E. Moeck
117. Mrs. Christa Oehme
118. Major Samuel Phillips
119. Major Charles F. Schick
120. Mr. George M. Tukey
121. Mrs. Tukey
122. Mstr. George M. Tukey
123. Miss Mary A. Tukey
124. Mr. George N. Whiting
125. Mrs. Whiting

Embarked at Cannes

126. Capt. Marion Eppley
127. Mrs. Eppley
128. Mr. Stanislas L. Roth
129. Miss Ruth Turberg
130. AAr. Archibald V. Walker
131. Mr. Richard C. Wetsel
132. Mrs. Wetsel
133. Miss Mary H. Wetsel

Embarked at Gibraltar

134. Mr. John MacGregor Bowie
135. Mrs. Bowie
136. Mr. Rogelio Suarez Brana
137. Mr. Robert Cooper Campbell
138. Mrs. Campbell
139. Mr. Helmut Dantine
140. Mrs. Lorraine M. Du Monceau
141. Mstr. Thomas M. Du Monceau
142. Mr. Maurice A. Guenin
143. Mrs. Guenin
144. Miss Emilie L. Held
145. Mr. Philip J. Miller
146. Mrs. Miller
147. Mr. Eugene E. Myers
148. Mr. Jose Maria Rodriguez
149. Mrs. Rodriguez
150. Mrs. Violette Rosenbaum
151. Mr. Oscar Shankman
152. Mrs. Shankman
153. Miss Marie Louise S. Verhaegen
154. Mr. George W. Warwick
155. Mr. Edward C. Wilson
156. Mrs. Wilson
157. Capt. William H. Wilterdink
158. Mrs. Wilterdink

Back Cover, Cunard SS Constitution First Class Passenger List - 7 December 1954. GGA Image ID # 1612444d08

Review & Summary of the SS Constitution Passenger List – 7 December 1954 🚢✨

The Transatlantic Journey of the SS Constitution 🌍🌊

The SS Constitution, one of the most renowned ocean liners operated by American Export Lines, embarked on an elegant voyage on 7 December 1954, sailing from Naples to New York with stops at Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar. Commanded by Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen, this journey carried an eclectic mix of military officers, government officials, religious figures, aristocrats, and distinguished academics—many of whom played significant roles in mid-century politics, diplomacy, and industry.

As a premier luxury liner, the SS Constitution was favored by high-profile passengers, including Hollywood celebrities, European elites, and global business leaders, making it a floating microcosm of Cold War-era transatlantic relations.

Key Voyage Details

• Ship Name: SS Constitution
• Operator: American Export Lines
• Voyage Date: 7 December 1954
• Route: Naples → Genoa → Cannes → Gibraltar → New York
• Passenger Class: First Class
• Commander: Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen
• Chief Purser: E. James Cooper
• Social Directress: Miss Ruth Gallo
• Chef de Cuisine: Giuseppe Antonini
• Maitre d’Hotel: George Tessier

This voyage captures the essence of first-class ocean travel, offering luxury accommodations and a distinguished guest list.

Notable Passengers & Their Historical Significance 🌟

This passenger list serves as a who’s who of 1950s high society, featuring political figures, military leaders, and Hollywood personalities.

🏛️ Government & Political Leaders

🔹 The Hon. William R. Foley – An influential legal and political figure, reflecting the ties between U.S. governance and European diplomacy.

🔹 The Hon. Michael A. Feighan (U.S. Congressman, Ohio) – A key political figure in immigration policy, instrumental in post-war refugee legislation.

🔹 The Hon. Chauncey W. Reed (U.S. Congressman, Illinois) – A notable politician engaged in Cold War policy-making.

🔹 The Hon. Harold Shantz – Likely a diplomat or government advisor, emphasizing the political significance of this voyage.

🔹 The Hon. Stuyvesant Wainwright (U.S. Congressman, New York) – A high-profile East Coast politician, indicative of elite transatlantic relations.

These officials underscore how the SS Constitution served as a diplomatic bridge, connecting American policymakers with European affairs.

🛡️ Military Leaders

🔹 Lt. Colonel Edwin Heywood – His presence suggests military advisory roles in Europe, possibly related to NATO operations.

🔹 Major Steve Pisanos (U.S. Air Force, WWII Fighter Ace) – A Greek-American war hero, symbolizing the collaboration between the U.S. and European forces.

🔹 Lt. Colonel Hamilton Reger – Likely involved in military logistics or post-war strategy planning.

🔹 General John R. Deane (U.S. Army, WWII Leader) – A key military strategist, his journey may have been linked to Cold War defense initiatives.

🔹 Lt. Colonel Lloyd E. Hirschhorn – Another high-ranking military official, reinforcing the ship's importance in U.S. military operations in Europe.

🔹 Colonel William Westlake – His rank suggests high-level military engagement in post-war Europe.

These military officials reflect the strategic importance of transatlantic travel during the Cold War, ensuring that military diplomacy and NATO partnerships remained strong.

⛪ Religious Figures

🔹 Most Rev. Thomas L. Noa (Bishop of Marquette, Michigan) – A high-ranking Catholic clergyman, emphasizing the importance of religious leadership in transatlantic relations.

The presence of these church leaders highlights the influence of faith in mid-century diplomacy and education.

🎬 Entertainment Industry & Cultural Icons

🔹 Milton Krims (Hollywood Screenwriter & Producer) – A celebrated writer and director, whose career spanned Hollywood and international film collaborations.

🔹 Aubrey Wisberg (Film Producer & Screenwriter) – Known for his work in Golden Age Hollywood cinema, likely traveling for film production or distribution deals.

🔹 Helmut Dantine (Austrian-American Actor) – A notable film star of the 1940s and 50s, famous for his roles in classic war and drama films.

These figures reflect how Hollywood elites frequently traveled aboard luxury liners, bridging the American and European film industries.

📚 Academics & Intellectuals

🔹 Professor Edwin B. Stason (University of Michigan, Engineering) – A distinguished academic, possibly traveling for European research collaborations.

Stason’s presence underscores the scientific and educational exchanges facilitated by transatlantic voyages.

💼 Business Leaders & High Society

🔹 Eaton Cromwell (Financier & Investor) – A key figure in mid-century global finance, reflecting the importance of ocean liners in international business dealings.

🔹 Capt. Alessandro Peloni (Shipping & Maritime Businessman) – Likely involved in global shipping networks, underscoring the economic importance of transatlantic travel.

These individuals highlight the role of ocean liners in facilitating global commerce and finance.

The SS Constitution: A Floating Palace of Luxury 🚢💎

The SS Constitution was one of the most prestigious ocean liners of its time, offering passengers a combination of speed, comfort, and grandeur.

• Launched: 1950
• Operator: American Export Lines
• Capacity: Over 1,000 passengers

Notable Features:

🔹 Air-conditioned cabins (a rarity at the time).

🔹 Gourmet dining experiences, led by Chef Giuseppe Antonini.

🔹 Entertainment & social engagements, curated by Social Directress Ruth Gallo.

The SS Constitution was a favorite among celebrities, politicians, and global business leaders, making it a hallmark of elite transatlantic travel.

Noteworthy Images from This Passenger List 📸

1️⃣ Front Cover of the Passenger List

🔹 A symbol of the luxury and elegance of mid-century ocean travel.

🔹 GGA Image ID # 16127ad384

2️⃣ Back Cover Featuring the American Export Lines Flag Logo

🔹 Representing one of the most prestigious transatlantic shipping companies of the era.

🔹 GGA Image ID # 1612444d08

Relevance for Teachers, Students, Historians, and Genealogists 📚

🔹 For Teachers & Students –

🔹 Explores Cold War-era politics, business, and transatlantic diplomacy.

🔹 Highlights the role of ocean liners in global elite travel before commercial aviation dominated.

🔹 For Genealogists –

🔹 Provides a detailed list of first-class passengers, helping trace family histories.

🔹 Highlights immigration patterns and elite transatlantic connections.

🔹 For Historians –

🔹 Documents a pivotal moment in U.S.-Europe relations, showcasing diplomacy, migration, and international commerce.

🔹 Captures the intersection of politics, business, and culture aboard luxury liners.

🔹 For Maritime Enthusiasts –

🔹 Preserves the legacy of one of the great transatlantic ocean liners before the decline of passenger shipping.

Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters ⚓✨

The SS Constitution’s voyage on December 7, 1954, represents:

✔ The strategic movement of diplomats, military officials, and business leaders.

✔ The continued influence of Hollywood and European aristocracy in luxury travel.

✔ The historical significance of ocean liners before the jet age.