BB-63,
the USS Missouri “Mighty Mo” is an Iowa-class United States Navy
Battleship, the third that was named in honor of the US state of
Missouri. She was also the last battleship ever to be commissioned by
the United States. Most notable in her history, on the Missouri the
Japanese Empire formally surrendered ending World War II.
The
Missouri was ordered in 1940 and commissioned in June 1944. She fought
in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and even shelled the Japanese
home islands. She also saw combat after the second world war when she
was called upon to fight in the Korean War.
In 1955 she was
decommissioned and “Mothballed” into the United States Navy reserve
fleet for almost 30 years. In 1984 she was reactivated and modernized as
part of the 600-ship Navy plan after which she saw combat again during
Operation Desert Storm in January/February 1991.
She
was awarded a total of 11 battle stars for service in World War II,
Korea, and the Persian Gulf and on 31 March 1992, she was again
decommissioned, this time for good. She was donated to the USS Missouri
Memorial Association in 1998 and became a museum ship at Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, where she looks over the wreck of the USS Arizona.
Fun facts: The USS Wisconsin (BB-64) has a higher number, but she was completed before Missouri.
The music video for Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time” was filmed aboard the USS Missouri and it features the ship’s crew.
The Missouri was also central to the plot of the film Under Siege, and the ship also features in the movie “Battleship.” The
Missouri (BB-63) as seen on 3 October 1941. She had been laid down on 6
January and her bottom plating is nearly finished. Most of the workers
in the center of the ship are standing on the middle layer of the triple
bottom. The keelson projects aft toward the water and on each side of
the keelson can be seen the supports for the two inboard propeller
shafts.The
Missouri (BB-63) is shown in mid-1942 with the engines and boilers in
place and the torpedo defense system taking shape amidships. Segments of
the lower main armor belt are visible. The keyway for fitting the upper
belt and the adjacent plates of the lower belt can be seen. Also
visible is the welded scalloped butt straps vertically joining the lower
belt plates.The
Missouri (BB-63) is seen in mid-1943 at the New York Navy Yard. The
side tanks of the torpedo defense system are visible along with the
lower armor belt, with its 19-degree inclination. This belt also serves
as Torpedo Bulkhead No. 4. The structure in the left foreground is the
bow assembly, being constructed and readied for installation when the
hull assembly reaches that point.The
Missouri (BB-63) is shown in November 1943, only two months before
launching. The hull is complete up to the main deck and much of the
superstructure is in frame. Amid the maze of scaffolding, air hoses, and
welding leads, splinter protection for the lightweight anti-aircraft
battery (quad 40mm) is being installed and the teak deck is being laid.After end, outside cradle, 27 January 1944.Looking forward from the Missouri’s (BB-63) propellerless stern, 27 January 1944.Bow clamp gear arrangement on main deck starboard, 28 January 1944.View aft, 28 January 1944.MK 37 gun director being loaded aboard the Missouri (BB-63).Bow clamp gear arrangement on main deck port, 28 January 1944. Early in the day of Missouri’s (BB-63) launch at the New York Navy Yard on 29 January 1944.Things are looking up before Missouri’s (BB-63) launching.Approaching the end of the building ways as she is launched, 29 January 1944, at the New York Navy Yard.Entering
the water for the first time, during her launching at the New York Navy
Yard, 29 January 1944. Note anchors and launching drag chains.
July – December 1944 Stern view looking forward from dry dock caissonPort side of upper bow looking inboard from side of dry dockLooking forward from bottom of dry dock at sternStarboard side looking forward from bottom of dry dockBow view looking aft from inboard end of dry dockMain deck looking forward from anchor windlass control stationMain deck looking aft from 20mm platform on stem headUSS Missouri & USS Alaska at Norfolk, Virginia 1944Looking forward from top of conning and fire control tower and into open bridgeStarboard side looking aft from bottom of dry dock
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