The Third Crew
Join us as a member of the USS WISCONSIN SSBN 827 3rd Crew!
The 3rd Crew are the shore-based supporters of the future USS WISCONSIN (SSBN 827) and her Blue & Gold crews. Similar to Texas A&M University’s tradition of the Twelfth Man, the 3rd Crew for SSBN 827 are those that stand by and support the two crews onboard that operate and maintain this ballistic missile submarine. In 1922, E. King Gill was called from the stands and suited up during a football game when the eleven Aggie football players on the field needed him. He became the literal “Twelfth Man” and now the entire Texas A&M Student body is the symbolic “Twelfth Man”. SSBN 827’s “3rd Crew” are the fans of the submarine, the submarine force and the Navy, watching from the sidelines, cheering, celebrating and ready to support the men and women onboard USS WISCONSIN and the heritage of her namesake state, Wisconsin.
Anita Margaret (Knops) Harvey
2 August 1940 to 6 March 2024
The USS Wisconsin Third Crew bestows the title “Eternal Plankowner” in memory of Anita Harvey.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Anita was a loving wife, mother, and friend. While never stationed on a submarine, she supported her husband and the Sailors assigned to subs for over 40 years.
She initiated many projects to raise the morale of submariners and their families. Alongside her life partner, Captain Jim Harvey, U.S. Navy, Retired, she was strong voice from northern Wisconsin supporting a letter writing campaign that led to the bipartisan request to the Secretary of the U.S. Navy to name a submarine Wisconsin. Achieving the goal of naming the future USS WISCONSIN (SSBN 827), Anita provided the encouragement that fueled the forming of the USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association. Her life lived in support of her husband, family and countless Sailors and their families will have a lasting positive impact