Those who embrace shipbuilding are no strangers to history. The aircraft carriers and submarines built at Newport News Shipbuilding each house thousands of sailors through many deployments over their multi-decade lifespans. Some, like the former Enterprise (CVN 65), will establish a legendary history; however, the waterfront is not the only home to creations that tell many stories.

The “Skinner Mural” is one such example. Completed by artist Thomas C. Skinner Jr. shortly after World War II, the nearly 23-feet long, three-paneled mural is mounted on the second floor of Newport News Shipbuilding’s Apprentice School, memorializing 28 apprentices who gave their lives during World War II.

Sally Krystyn (O22) is the resident historian and records administrator for The Apprentice School. Krystyn is a proud veteran herself, having served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. “With Memorial Day coming, this is a good time to remind shipbuilders of some of the treasure we have at The Apprentice School,” she said.

Skinner was born in Kuttawa, Kentucky. Early in his life, his family moved to Waynesville, North Carolina – the birthplace of longtime NNS President Homer L. Ferguson. Skinner enrolled at the Art Students League of New York, where he met instructor Robert Henri. With Henri as a mentor, Skinner continued his studies in Europe but eventually returned to the U.S. and came to Newport News.

Shortly after Archer M. Huntington founded The Mariners’ Museum and Park, Skinner was appointed staff artist in 1932. That recommendation came from Ferguson – who, by that time, was married to Skinner’s sister.

Graduation exercises for The Apprentice School’s classes of 1944-1947 were held in the Newport News High School auditorium on Jan. 16, 1948. In addition to the names of 369 graduates, the commencement program also included the names of the 28 apprentices who never returned from the war. The program concluded with a eulogy followed by a public unveiling of the Memorial Mural, which later moved to the auditorium of the former Apprentice School in Bldg. 14.

The painting underwent extensive conservation, restoration and preservation at The Mariners’ Museum and Park from 2012-2013, and was mounted in its current location in November 2013.

The first panel of the mural depicts a young man overlooking the shipyard. Behind him hangs a maroon jacket with “Apprentice” in golden letters across the back shoulders. He is holding an open envelope in one hand, and orders to war in the other.

A war scene spreads across the larger, second panel – young soldiers storming a beach as waves crash behind them.

The third and final panel shows the young apprentice in uniform, standing respectfully at the head of a casket draped with the American flag, a helmet resting on a cross. His face holds a look of mourning.

A list of names adorns either side of the mural, as well as emblems for each branch of the military.

“As time moves along,” Krystyn said, “we are losing the Greatest Generation – those who fought in World War II – and this piece serves as a strong reminder of their contributions.”