USS Iowa

USS Iowa was a United States Navy battleship that served during World War II and the Korean War, earning a total of nine Battle Stars for her service. The ship was named after the state of Iowa and was the lead ship of her class, which included the USS New Jersey, USS Missouri, and USS Wisconsin. The USS Iowa was commissioned on February 22, 1943, at the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York, and was sponsored by Ilo Wallace, the wife of Vice President of the United States Henry A. Wallace. The ship's first commander was Captain John L. McCrea, who had previously served on the USS Washington (BB-56).

● History

The USS Iowa played a significant role in several major naval battles, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf, where she served as part of Task Force 38 under the command of Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.. The ship also participated in the Inchon Landing during the Korean War, providing gunfire support for the United States Marine Corps and the South Korean army. The USS Iowa was also involved in several international incidents, including the Gulf of Tonkin incident and the Cuban Missile Crisis, where she served as part of the United States Second Fleet under the command of Admiral Robert L. Dennison. The ship's crew included several notable individuals, such as President Jimmy Carter, who served as a submarine officer on the USS Seawolf (SSN-575), and Senator John McCain, who was a naval aviator on the USS Oriskany (CV-34).

● Design and construction

The USS Iowa was designed by the United States Navy Bureau of Ships and built by the New York Navy Yard, with a length of 887 feet 3 inches and a beam of 108 feet 2 inches. The ship was powered by eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers and four General Electric turbines, which produced 212,000 horsepower and gave her a top speed of 33 knots. The ship's main armament consisted of nine 16-inch (406 mm) guns mounted in three triple turrets, as well as twenty 5-inch (127 mm) guns and eighty 40mm Bofors guns. The ship's armor included a 12-inch belt and 5-inch deck armor, which provided protection against cruiser-sized ships and smaller vessels. The USS Iowa was also equipped with advanced radar and fire control systems, including the Mark 8 fire control radar and the Mark 7 fire control computer.

● Service history

The USS Iowa served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, where she participated in several major battles, including the Battle of Tarawa and the Battle of Iwo Jima. The ship was also involved in the Occupation of Japan after the war, serving as part of the United States Third Fleet under the command of Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.. During the Korean War, the USS Iowa served as part of Task Force 77 under the command of Admiral Arthur D. Struble, providing gunfire support for the United Nations Command. The ship's crew included several notable individuals, such as Admiral Arleigh Burke, who served as the Chief of Naval Operations from 1955 to 1961, and Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, who served as the Chief of Naval Operations from 1970 to 1974. The USS Iowa was also visited by several notable individuals, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who boarded the ship in 1943, and Queen Elizabeth II, who visited the ship in 1953.

● Preservation and museum ship

The USS Iowa was decommissioned on October 26, 1990, and was initially slated to be scrapped, but was instead donated to the Pacific Battleship Center in 2011. The ship is now a museum ship and memorial, located in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, and is open to the public for tours. The ship has been restored to her 1980s configuration and features several exhibits, including a Korean War exhibit and a Cold War exhibit. The USS Iowa has also been recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ship's preservation has been supported by several organizations, including the National Park Service and the United States Navy Memorial. The USS Iowa is also a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world, including Los Angeles, California, Long Beach, California, and San Diego, California. Category:United States Navy ships