The four Iowa-class were the only battleships fast enough to keep up with the fast carriers in World War II. They also served over a longer period than any other battleships, from 1943 until 1992. They were the largest American battleships, and the longest and fastest of all battleships. The Iowa-class ships were the last class of American battleships built, and the last battleships in service in the world. USS New Jersey is an Iowa-class battleship – the ultimate battleships, and the epitome of the gun-armed ships of the line that ruled the sea for almost three centuries. USS NEW JERSEY AND THE IOWA-CLASS: THE BEST OF THE BEST Today the New Jersey continues her service as a living museum and memorial in Camden, New Jersey, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia where she was built. After fighting fascism, communism, and terrorism, she was decommissioned for the final time in February 1991. She was reactivated for a third time in the Cold War to halt Soviet expansionism and resolve conflicts in the Middle East. She was reactivated to fight in the Korean War, and again to fight in the Vietnam War, when she was the world’s only operating battleship. In World War II, the New Jersey led the Pacific Fleet under Admirals Spruance and Halsey and fought in the two largest naval battles in history.

She was launched on the first anniversary of Pearl Harbor, and went on to steam more miles, fight in more battles, and fire more shells than any other battleship in history. The New Jersey’s history spanned over half the 20 th century, from her design in 1938 until 1991. USS New Jersey (BB-62) is the most decorated battleship in Navy history, earning distinction in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and conflicts in the Middle East. USS NEW JERSEY: THE WORLD’S GREATEST BATTLESHIP

Victory at Sea by James F. Dunnigan