The USS Shenandoah was the pride of the American Navy in 1925 and
America's first rigid dirigible. Her name is a Native American word
often said to mean Daughter of the Stars. While performing a publicity
tour in the Midwest, the ship was ripped to pieces by a violent storm.
Fourteen men died, including Lt. Comdr. Zachary Lansdowne, who remained
at his post to the very end. The citizens of Noble County, Ohio, were
alarmed and amazed when this high-tech, state-of-the-art marvel came
tumbling out of the sky into their rural and isolated community. While
lavishing care and support on the wounded, the locals also looted the
wreckage and made souvenirs of valuable equipment that remained family
treasures for years. Tales of daring heroism and sacrifice by those
brave sailors on that stormy night soon became the thing of legend to
the residents of the valley. For nearly 100 years, people there have
maintained the legacy of Shenandoah with monuments, songs, and
commemorations that continue to this day.