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July 21, 2006

Touring the U.S.S. New Jersey

 

 

Here are some images from my recent visit to the heroic Iowa Class battleship the U.S.S. New Jersey (BB-62). All photos are from my visit, unless otherwise noted. As a bonus, I've included a hi-res photo at the bottom of this post. Enjoy!

 

 

 

The New Jersey is the most decorated battleship in US history, being a vital player in key naval battles of World War II, Korea/China, Viet-Nam, and the Middle East.

 

 

 

This almost wasn’t so, however. It all could have been much different if the New Jersey, instead of still being under construction in the Atlantic one December 7, would have been commissioned and sitting at Pearl Harbor. Instead, as mentioned also in a series I did two years ago on the strategic importance of the Panama Canal, the New Jersey commissioned December 7 1942 was (along with other warships) able to make good speed to the Pacific theater following the Japanese attack in major part due to the ability of the ship to traverse the canal rather than circling Cape Horn.

 

 

 

The Battleship New Jersey is actually the second New Jersey, the first being a Spanish-American War era ship later used as a training ship during World War I and finally for aerial target practice after her decommission in the 1920’s.

 

 

During her 49 year life of service, the New Jersey has been decommissioned four times and recommissioned three: for Korea/China, Viet-Nam, and again in 1982 as part of President Ronald Reagan’s successful Cold War strategy by expanding US naval forces to 600 ships.

 

 

In World War II (WWII image above courtesy Navysite.de), the New Jersey took part first as part of the 5^th Fleet in the battles for the Marshall Islands, Truk, the famous Marianas Turkey Shoot, Guam, and the Palaus.

 

 

She Returned one month later as 3^rd Fleet flagship under the famous Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. to take part in the battles of Manila, Panay, and the crucial battle of Leyte Gulf, among others. As the war continued, she aided Carriers in their attacks on Formosa, Okinawa, and Luzon; then later the assaults on Iwo Jima and Tokyo.

 

 

BB-62 was used as a Naval training vessel for a time at the conclusion of World War II; however, she was recomissioned in 1950 to play a part in the Korean War. During the course of the war, she was used to bombard land targets, interdict supplies, and provide cover for other operations. She also worked at one point alongside the HMS Belfast (below), now sitting as a museum in London, and which I’ve also had the chance to visit.

 

 

After Korea, New Jersey was part of the heaviest naval bombardment since World War II in support of efforts in Viet-Nam. Following Viet-Nam, New Jersey was decommissioned until 1982.

 

 

When New Jersey was recomissioned as part of Ronald Reagan’s bold plan to reinvigorate the US military and win the Cold War, several upgrades were made including the addition of Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles. (Photo above courtesy of BattleshipNewJersey.org)

 

 

Her first mission was to provide support for interests in the Lebanon civil war. She was stationed off of Beirut, where she fired shells at Syrian and Druze targets near Beirut. One key hit during the most intense bombardment since Korea included the killing of the commanding general of Syrian forces stationed in Lebanon, along with several other senior officers.

 

 

 Download hi-res image

 

In 1991, the New Jersey was decommissioned one last time, though it was one of two battleships added to a mothball fleet that conceivably could be reactivated under certain circumstances.

 

 

Posted by Martin at July 21, 2006 01:28 PM

Comments

Posted by: Angel at July 23, 2006 12:22 AM

Posted by: Debbie at July 25, 2006 07:56 PM

Posted by: Martin at July 25, 2006 08:10 PM