USS Iowa (BB-61) facts for kids

The USS Iowa fires its huge 16-inch guns in 1984, showing off its power after being updated.

The USS Iowa (BB-61) was a very powerful battleship that served the U.S. Navy. It played an important role in both World War II and the Korean War. This mighty ship was taken out of service in October 1990. It was decided that such a large ship was too easy to hit and too costly to lose in modern warfare.

About the USS Iowa

The USS Iowa was the lead ship of its class of battleships. These ships were known for their massive size and powerful guns. They were designed to be strong and fast, able to withstand attacks while delivering heavy firepower.

Serving in World War II

The USS Iowa was first put into service in 1943 during World War II. Its main job was to protect important people and lead naval forces. One of its most famous missions was carrying President Franklin D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic Ocean. He traveled to meetings in Cairo and Tehran. For his comfort, a special bathtub was even installed on the ship.

The Iowa then moved to the Pacific Ocean. There, it helped in many battles against Japan. It used its large guns to bombard enemy islands. It also protected aircraft carriers, which launched planes for air attacks.

Role in the Korean War

After World War II, the Iowa was taken out of service for a while. But it was called back to duty for the Korean War in the early 1950s. During this war, the ship used its powerful guns to support ground troops. It fired shells at targets on the coast of North Korea. This helped soldiers fighting on land.

Modernization and Retirement

The USS Iowa was taken out of service again after the Korean War. However, it was brought back one more time in the 1980s. It went through a big update to make it more modern. This included adding new missile systems.

Even with these updates, battleships like the Iowa were becoming less useful. They were very expensive to operate and maintain. Also, their large size made them easy targets for modern weapons. Because of these reasons, the USS Iowa was finally retired in 1990. It is now a museum ship in Los Angeles, California.

Images for kids

• 

  USS Iowa laid up alongside USS Wisconsin and USS Shangri-La in Philadelphia, July 8, 1978

• 

  A flag hoist lies on the deck near the bow of Iowa following the ship's decommissioning ceremony at Norfolk, Virginia

• 

  When Iowa was selected to ferry President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Cairo and Tehran Conferences, she was outfitted with a bathtub for Roosevelt's convenience. Roosevelt, who had been paralyzed in 1921, would have been unable to make effective use of a shower facility.

• 

  USS ABSD-2 repairing the USS Iowa in early 1945 at Manus, Admiralty Islands

• 

  USS Iowa fires a 16 in (406mm) shell towards a North Korean target in 1952.

• 

  Iowa fires her guns off the coast of Koje on 17 October 1952.

• 

  USS Iowa in drydock undergoing modernization

• 

  Crewmen recover an RQ-2 Pioneer unmanned aerial vehicle aboard Iowa.

See also

In Spanish: USS Iowa (BB-61) para niños