USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Name	USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Caption	The USS Alabama (BB-60) at its permanent berth in Mobile Bay.
Location	Mobile, Alabama, United States
Type	Military museum, Memorial park
Established	1965

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. Located on the western shore of Mobile Bay in Mobile, Alabama, this expansive military history park serves as the permanent home for the famed South Dakota-class battleship USS Alabama (BB-60) and the Gato-class submarine USS Drum (SS-228). Established by an act of the Alabama State Legislature in 1965, the park was created through a statewide fundraising campaign spearheaded by schoolchildren to save the battleship from being scrapped. It operates as a self-supporting entity under the USS Alabama Battleship Commission, dedicated to preserving naval and military history for educational purposes.

History

The genesis of the park followed the post-World War II decommissioning of the USS Alabama (BB-60), which was slated for disposal by the United States Navy. A determined effort, known as the "Save Our Ship" campaign, was launched by the citizens of Alabama, with schoolchildren collecting over $100,000 in donations. This successful public initiative convinced the Alabama State Legislature to establish the park in 1965. The battleship was towed from Bremerton, Washington, through the Panama Canal to its permanent berth, opening to the public in January 1965. Over subsequent decades, the park expanded its collection to include the USS Drum (SS-228), numerous military aircraft, and armored vehicles, transforming into a comprehensive memorial to United States Armed Forces service.

Attractions

The park's primary attractions are the massive USS Alabama (BB-60) and the USS Drum (SS-228), both of which visitors can tour extensively. A large, covered pavilion houses the park's extensive collection of military aircraft and armored vehicles from the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps. Outdoor exhibits include artillery pieces, a Redstone missile, and a Korean War-era M46 Patton tank. The park also features several dedicated memorials, such as the Submarine Veterans of World War II memorial and the Alabama Fallen Heroes memorial, alongside picnic areas and a gift shop.

USS Alabama (BB-60)

The centerpiece of the park is the USS Alabama (BB-60), a South Dakota-class battleship commissioned in 1942. During World War II, it served extensively in both the Atlantic Theater and the Pacific Theater, earning nine battle stars. The ship provided formidable anti-aircraft support and naval gunfire for operations including the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Okinawa. Decommissioned in 1947, the vessel was saved from the scrap yard and now serves as a museum ship. Visitors can explore its main deck, 16-inch/45-caliber Mark 6 gun turrets, superstructure, and numerous interior compartments, gaining insight into battleship operations and sailor life.

USS Drum (SS-228)

Moored adjacent to the battleship is the USS Drum (SS-228), a Gato-class submarine credited with sinking 15 Japanese vessels during World War II, making it one of the top-performing American submarines of the war. Commissioned in 1941, it served throughout the Pacific War, earning 12 battle stars. After its wartime service, it was used as a training vessel before being donated to the park in 1969. It was the first American submarine memorial open to the public. Guests can climb aboard and navigate through its cramped quarters, control room, and torpedo room, experiencing the conditions faced by the United States Submarine Service crew.

Aircraft collection

The park's aircraft collection, displayed in an open-air pavilion and on grounds, includes over 25 historic planes representing various eras of American military aviation. Notable examples include a World War II-era B-52 Stratofortress bomber, an A-12 Blackbird reconnaissance plane, a P-51 Mustang fighter, and an F-14 Tomcat from the Vietnam War era. The collection also features aircraft from the Korean War and Cold War, such as an F-86 Sabre, an F-4 Phantom II, and a MiG-15, alongside helicopters like the UH-1 Iroquois and AH-1 Cobra.

Memorials and monuments

Scattered throughout the grounds are numerous memorials honoring specific military units and veterans. These include the Submarine Veterans of World War II memorial, the Alabama Fallen Heroes memorial dedicated to state service members lost in the Global War on Terrorism, and the Battle of Mobile Bay memorial. Other monuments pay tribute to the United States Coast Guard, United States Marine Corps, Korean War veterans, and Prisoners of war (POWs). The park also features a memorial wall for the USS Alabama (BB-60) crew and a monument for the 52nd Signal Battalion.

Park operations and events

The park operates as a self-funded entity under the governance of the USS Alabama Battleship Commission, relying on admission fees, donations, and venue rentals. It is open to the public year-round and offers educational programs for school groups. Annual events include Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, military vehicle displays, and patriotic fireworks shows over Mobile Bay. The park's facilities are also available for private events, and it frequently hosts reunions for veterans' groups, including crews from the USS Alabama (BB-60) and USS Drum (SS-228).

Category:Museums in Mobile, Alabama Category:Battleship museums in the United States Category:Maritime museums in Alabama Category:World War II museums in the United States Category:Tourist attractions in Mobile, Alabama