USS New Jersey (BB-62) facts for kids
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|} USS New Jersey (BB-62), nicknamed "Big J" or "Black Dragon," is a famous Iowa-class battleship. She was the second ship in the United States Navy to be named after the state of New Jersey. This battleship earned more battle stars for her combat actions than any other Iowa-class ship. She was also the only U.S. battleship to provide gunfire support during the Vietnam War.
During World War II, New Jersey fired her powerful guns at targets on Guam and Okinawa. She also protected aircraft carriers during attacks in the Marshall Islands. Later, in the Korean War, she helped with attacks along the North Korean coast. After this, she was put into the "mothball fleet," which is a group of ships kept in reserve.
New Jersey was brought back into service briefly in 1968. She went to Vietnam to support U.S. troops before returning to the mothball fleet in 1969. In the 1980s, she was reactivated again as part of the "600-ship Navy" plan. This plan aimed to make the U.S. Navy much larger. New Jersey was updated to carry missiles and put back into active duty. In 1983, she helped with U.S. operations during the Lebanese Civil War.
New Jersey was taken out of service for the last time in 1991. She had served a total of 21 years in the active fleet. She earned a Navy Unit Commendation for her service in Vietnam. She also received 19 battle and campaign stars for her combat operations in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Lebanese Civil War, and in the Persian Gulf. This makes her the most decorated battleship in U.S. Navy history. After a short time back in the mothball fleet, she was given to the Home Port Alliance in Camden, New Jersey. On October 15, 2001, she began her new life as a museum ship.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States |
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| Namesake | State of New Jersey |
| Ordered | 1 July 1939 |
| Builder | Philadelphia Naval Shipyard |
| Laid down | 16 September 1940 |
| Launched | 7 December 1942 |
| Sponsored by | Carolyn Edison |
| Commissioned | 23 May 1943 |
| Decommissioned | 30 June 1948 |
| Recommissioned | 21 November 1950 |
| Decommissioned | 21 August 1957 |
| Recommissioned | 6 April 1968 |
| Decommissioned | 17 December 1969 |
| Recommissioned | 28 December 1982 |
| Decommissioned | 8 February 1991 |
| Stricken | 4 January 1999 |
| Motto | "Firepower for Freedom" |
| Nickname(s) | "Big J" "Black Dragon" |
| Honors and awards |
19 battle stars |
| Status | Museum ship in Camden, New Jersey |
| Notes | Most decorated battleship in the US Navy's history |
| Badge |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Iowa-class battleship |
| Displacement |
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| Length | 887 ft 7 in (270.54 m) |
| Beam | 108 ft 1.375 in (32.95333 m) |
| Draft | 37 ft 9 in (11.51 m) (full load) 41 ft 0 in (12.50 m) aft, 39 ft 0 in (11.89 m) forward (1968) |
| Propulsion | 4 x 110,000 hp turbines powered by 8 x 650 psi m type boilers |
| Speed | 33 knots (61 km/h) |
| Complement | 1,921 officers and men |
| Sensors and processing systems |
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| Electronic warfare & decoys |
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| Armament |
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| Armor |
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| Aircraft carried |
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- First Flagship Role
- The "Marianas Turkey Shoot"
- Service with Admiral Halsey
- Battle of Leyte Gulf
- Typhoon Cobra
- Final World War II Missions
Building a Mighty Warship
New Jersey was one of the "fast battleship" designs planned in 1938. She was launched on December 7, 1942. This date was also the first anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was officially put into service on May 23, 1943. She was the second Iowa-class ship to join the United States Navy. Carolyn Edison, the wife of New Jersey Governor Charles Edison, christened the ship when it was launched. Captain Carl F. Holden was her first commander.
Powerful Guns and Weapons
New Jersey's main weapons were nine 16-inch (406 mm) guns. These guns were in three turrets, with three guns in each. They could fire 2,700-pound (1,225 kg) armor-piercing shells about 23 miles (42.6 km). Her secondary weapons included twenty 5-inch (127 mm) guns. These were in twin turrets and could hit targets up to 9 miles (16.7 km) away.
As air power became more important, ships needed protection from planes. So, New Jersey was also equipped with many 20 mm and 40 mm anti-aircraft guns. These guns helped protect the growing fleet of Allied aircraft carriers.
When New Jersey was reactivated in 1968, her 20 mm and 40 mm anti-aircraft guns were removed. She was then used mainly for heavy bombardment. In 1982, when she was reactivated again, four of her 5-inch gun mounts were removed. She was updated with four Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) mounts. These systems protect against missiles and aircraft. She also received eight Armored Box Launchers and eight Quad Cell Launchers. These could fire Tomahawk missiles and Harpoon missiles.
The main deck of the ship was made of 53,000 square feet of teak wood.
Why the Name "New Jersey"?
Unlike other Iowa-class battleships, New Jersey was named by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He did this to thank New Jersey Governor Charles Edison. Edison, who had been the Secretary of the Navy, helped push for the building of the Iowa-class ships. He also helped make sure one was built at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. This helped President Roosevelt get votes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey during the 1940 presidential election.
World War II (1943–1945)
New Jersey finished getting ready and trained her first crew in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. On January 7, 1944, she went through the Panama Canal and headed for war. She joined the United States Fifth Fleet on January 22. Three days later, she joined Task Group 58.2 for the attack on the Marshall Islands. New Jersey protected aircraft carriers from Japanese attacks. Planes from her group bombed Kwajalein and Eniwetok from January 29 to February 2. This prepared the islands for invasion and supported the troops who landed.
First Flagship Role
On February 4, New Jersey became a flagship. This means she was the ship where an admiral commanded the fleet. Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, who led the 5th Fleet, moved his flag to New Jersey. Her first mission as a flagship was "Operation Hailstone." This was a two-day attack by her task force against a major Japanese naval base at Truk in the Carolines. This attack stopped the Japanese navy from fighting back against the U.S. takeover of the Marshalls. On February 17 and 18, the task force sank many Japanese ships. New Jersey herself destroyed a trawler and helped sink a destroyer. She also fired at an enemy aircraft that attacked her group.
Between March 17 and April 10, New Jersey sailed with other ships to attack Mille, the Palaus, and Woleai. When she returned, Admiral Spruance moved his flag to another ship.
New Jersey's next war trip was from April 13 to May 4, 1944. She protected the carrier force that supported the invasion of Aitape, Tanahmerah Bay, and Humboldt Bay, New Guinea. On April 29–30, she shelled Japanese ships and bases at Truk. New Jersey and her group shot down two enemy torpedo bombers at Truk. On May 1, her 16-inch guns pounded Ponape. They destroyed fuel tanks, damaged the airfield, and demolished a headquarters building.
After practicing for the invasion of the Marianas, New Jersey sailed on June 6. She was part of the group that protected and bombarded the islands. On June 12, she shot down an enemy torpedo bomber. Over the next two days, her heavy guns attacked Saipan and Tinian. This happened before the marine landings on June 15.
The "Marianas Turkey Shoot"
The Japanese navy tried to attack the American invasion force in the Marianas. American submarines tracked the Japanese fleet into the Philippine Sea. New Jersey took her place protecting the carriers on June 19, 1944. American and Japanese pilots fought in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. This battle, known as the "Marianas Turkey Shoot," badly damaged Japanese naval aviation. The Japanese lost about 400 planes, while the Americans lost fewer than two dozen. This was a huge loss of trained pilots and aircraft for Japan. American submarines also sank two Japanese aircraft carriers. New Jersey's anti-aircraft fire and that of other ships was very strong. Only 17 American planes were lost in combat.
Service with Admiral Halsey
New Jersey's last help in the Marianas was during attacks on Guam and the Palaus. She then sailed to Pearl Harbor, arriving on August 9. Here, on August 24, Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. made her his flagship. This meant she was the main ship for the United States Third Fleet. On August 30, New Jersey left Pearl Harbor. For the next eight months, she was based at Ulithi to support Allied forces in the Philippines. During this time, fast carrier task forces attacked airfields, ships, and bases in the Philippines, Okinawa, and Formosa.
In September, the targets were in the southern Philippines. In October, attacks on Okinawa and Formosa began. This was to prepare for the Leyte landings on October 20, 1944.
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The invasion of Leyte led to the last big battle of the Imperial Japanese Navy. This was the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Japanese planes from the carriers protected by New Jersey attacked Japanese forces. On October 23, they sank a battleship. The next day, Admiral Halsey went north after a Japanese decoy force was spotted. Planes from his carriers sank four Japanese carriers, a destroyer, and a cruiser. Meanwhile, New Jersey raced south to meet another Japanese force. This force had already been defeated when she arrived.
New Jersey rejoined her carriers on October 27, 1944, for attacks on Luzon. Two days later, the force was attacked by kamikaze planes. These were Japanese planes whose pilots tried to crash into ships. New Jersey shot down a plane that crashed into another carrier, Intrepid. Machine gun fire from Intrepid wounded three of New Jersey's men. On November 25, three Japanese planes were shot down. Part of one flaming plane landed on the deck of Hancock. Intresey also shot down a plane diving on Cabot.
Typhoon Cobra
On December 18, 1944, the ships of Task Force 38 were caught in Typhoon Cobra. This happened while they were trying to refuel at sea. The storm was very strong, with huge waves and hurricane-force winds. Three destroyers sank, and many other ships were damaged. About 790 sailors were lost or killed. Fires broke out on three carriers, and 146 planes were lost or damaged. However, New Jersey and other battleships made it through the storm with little damage. She returned to Ulithi on Christmas Eve.
Final World War II Missions
From December 30, 1944, to January 25, 1945, New Jersey was on her last trip as Admiral Halsey's flagship. She protected carriers during attacks on Formosa, Okinawa, Luzon, and the coast of Indo-China. On January 27, Admiral Halsey left New Jersey. Two days later, Rear Admiral Oscar C. Badger II made her his flagship.
New Jersey helped support the attack on Iwo Jima. She protected the Essex group during air attacks on the island from February 19–21. She also did this for the first major carrier raid on Tokyo on February 25. This raid targeted aircraft production. The next two days, Okinawa was attacked from the air.
New Jersey was directly involved in the conquest of Okinawa from March 14 to April 16. She fought off air raids, rescued downed pilots, and defended carriers from kamikaze planes. She shot down at least three kamikaze planes and helped destroy others. On March 24, 1945, she again fired her heavy guns to prepare the invasion beaches.
During the last months of the war, New Jersey was repaired at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. She sailed from there on July 4. On August 14, she again became the flagship of the 5th Fleet under Admiral Spruance. She arrived in Tokyo Bay on September 17. She served as flagship for naval commanders in Japanese waters until January 28, 1946. As part of "Operation Magic Carpet," New Jersey took almost a thousand troops home. She arrived in San Francisco on February 10.
After World War II (1946–1950)
After operations and repairs, New Jersey returned home to Bayonne, New Jersey, for her fourth birthday party on May 23, 1947. Many important people were there.
From June 7 to August 26, New Jersey was part of the first training squadron to visit Northern European waters since World War II. Over two thousand naval students gained experience at sea. She hosted official events in Oslo, Norway, and Portsmouth, England.
After serving as a flagship in New York, New Jersey was taken out of active service. She was decommissioned at Bayonne on June 30, 1948. She was then assigned to the "mothball fleet" in New York.
The Korean War (1950–1953)
In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. The United States decided to help South Korea. As part of this effort, New Jersey was brought back from the mothball fleet. She was needed to provide powerful artillery support from the sea for United Nations and South Korean troops. New Jersey was recommissioned on November 21, 1950. She sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, on April 16, 1951, and arrived off the east coast of Korea on May 17. Vice Admiral Harold M. Martin, who commanded the United States Seventh Fleet, made New Jersey his flagship.
Providing Fire Support
New Jersey's guns first fired in Korea at Wonsan on May 20. During her two tours in Korea, she acted as a mobile artillery unit from the sea. She supported United Nations troops, prepared for ground attacks, and destroyed enemy supply routes and positions. Her 16-inch guns could fire much farther than land artillery. She could also move quickly from one target to another. At Wonsan, she received her only combat injuries of the Korean War. One sailor was killed and two were wounded when a shore battery hit her.
Between May 23 and 27, and again on May 30, 1951, New Jersey pounded targets near Yangyang and Kansong. She broke up troop groups, destroyed a bridge, and blew up three large ammunition dumps. On May 24, she lost one of her helicopters while searching for a downed pilot. The helicopter crew made it to friendly territory and returned to the ship later.
On June 4, New Jersey bombed targets at Wonsan. Two days later, at Kansong, she fired her main guns at an artillery group and truck camp. Air spotters helped her hit targets. On July 28, off Wonsan, the battleship was fired upon by shore batteries again. New Jersey's accurate fire silenced the enemy and destroyed several gun positions.
From July 4 to 12, New Jersey supported a United Nations push in the Kansong area. She fired at enemy positions. As South Korean troops attacked, observers saw New Jersey's shells hit enemy mortar positions, supply dumps, and troop groups. On July 18, New Jersey returned to Wonsan and destroyed five gun positions with five direct hits.
On August 17, New Jersey helped South Korean troops again in the Kansong area. For four days, she fired at night and broke up counterattacks during the day. On August 29, she fired in a fake amphibious landing behind enemy lines. This helped ease pressure on the South Korean troops. The next day, she began a three-day attack on the Changjon area. One of her helicopters spotted the results: four buildings destroyed, roads smashed, and many other targets hit.
On October 1, 1951, important military leaders visited New Jersey. From October 1 to 6, New Jersey was in action daily at Kansong, Hamhung, and other locations. She hit enemy bunkers, supply areas, railroads, and oil refineries. She also destroyed an enemy gun position with her 5-inch guns. On October 16, she had a very successful day at Kansong. A spotter reported "beautiful shooting every shot on target." This five-hour bombardment destroyed ten artillery positions and caused about 500 enemy casualties.
From November 1 to 6, New Jersey attacked transportation facilities along the North Korean coast. She destroyed four bridges and damaged others. She also tore up two railroad yards. With new attacks on Kansong and near the Chang-San-Got Peninsula on November 11 and 13, New Jersey finished her first tour in Korea.
Second Korean Tour
New Jersey returned to Norfolk on November 14 for repairs. She then trained for her second Korean tour, sailing from Norfolk on March 5, 1953.
New Jersey arrived in Yokosuka on April 5. The next day, she replaced Missouri as the flagship of Vice Admiral Joseph H. Clark. On April 12, New Jersey returned to action by shelling Chongjin. In seven minutes, she scored seven direct hits on the main communications building. At Pusan two days later, New Jersey welcomed the President of the Republic of Korea and other important people.
On April 16, New Jersey fired on coastal batteries at Kojo. On April 18, she hit railway tracks and tunnels near Hungnam. On April 20, she fired on gun positions around Wonsan Harbor, silencing them. Songjin was her target on April 23. Here, New Jersey scored six direct 16-inch hits on a railroad tunnel and destroyed two rail bridges.
New Jersey supported a major air and surface attack on Wonsan on May 1. She destroyed eleven Communist shore guns that day. Four days later, she destroyed a key observation post on Hodo Pando island. Two days later, Kalmagak at Wonsan was her target.
New Jersey's tenth birthday, May 23, 1953, was celebrated at Incheon. Two days later, New Jersey returned to action along the west coast at Chinampo to destroy harbor defense positions.
The battleship was under fire at Wonsan from May 27–29. Her 5-inch guns silenced the enemy fire. Her 16-inch shells destroyed five gun positions and four gun caves. She also hit a target that exploded, possibly a fuel or ammunition dump.
New Jersey returned to supporting troops at Kosong on June 7. She destroyed two gun positions, an observation post, and trenches. She then sailed back to Wonsan for a day-long bombardment on June 24. She fired at guns in caves, destroying eight and closing four others. The next day, she returned to troop support at Kosong until July 10.
At Wonsan on July 11–12, New Jersey fired one of her most intense bombardments in Korea. For nine hours the first day and seven the second, her guns fired on gun positions and bunkers. At least ten enemy guns were destroyed, and many caves and tunnels were sealed. On July 13, New Jersey smashed radar control positions and bridges at Kojo. She was back on the east coast from July 22–24 to support South Korean troops near Kosong. Her gunners were very accurate, destroying many bunkers, artillery areas, and trenches.
On July 25, 1953, New Jersey was off Hungnam, attacking coastal guns, bridges, and oil tanks. She sailed north that afternoon, firing at rail lines and tunnels.
New Jersey's mission at Wonsan the next day was her last. She destroyed large guns, bunkers, and trenches. Two days later, she learned of the truce. Her crew celebrated during a seven-day visit to Hong Kong. She performed operations around Japan and off Formosa for the rest of her tour. On September 16, the President of South Korea visited the ship to present an award to the 7th Fleet.
After the Korean War (1953–1967)
On October 14, New Jersey was replaced as flagship by Wisconsin. She returned to Norfolk on November 14. For the next two summers, she carried naval students across the Atlantic for training. The rest of the year, she practiced along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean.
On September 7, 1955, New Jersey began her first tour with the United States Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. She visited Gibraltar, Valencia, Cannes, and other ports. She returned to Norfolk on January 7, 1956. That summer, she again carried students to Northern Europe for training. New Jersey sailed for Europe again on August 27 as a flagship. She visited Lisbon and participated in NATO exercises. She returned to Norfolk on October 15. On December 14, she arrived at New York Naval Shipyard to be taken out of service. She was decommissioned and placed in reserve at Bayonne on August 21, 1957.
The Vietnam War (1967–1969)
During the Vietnam War, many U.S. aircraft were being lost. Studies were done to find ways to reduce these losses while still delivering bombs. On May 31, 1967, the Secretary of Defense approved a study to see what it would take to reactivate New Jersey. The study showed it was possible, so the decision was made to bring a battleship back into service. New Jersey was chosen because she was in better condition than her sister ships.
When she was reactivated, her 20 mm and 40 mm anti-aircraft guns were removed. She received better electronic systems and radar. New Jersey was officially recommissioned on April 6, 1968, at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. During sea trials, New Jersey set a battleship speed record. She reached 35.2 knots (62.5 km/h; 40.5 mph) and kept this speed for six hours.
New Jersey, then the world's only active battleship, left Philadelphia on May 16. She went through the Panama Canal and arrived at her new home port of Long Beach, California, on June 11. On July 24, New Jersey received 16-inch shells and powder from another ship using helicopters. This was the first time heavy battleship ammunition was transferred by helicopter at sea.
First Vietnam Tour
Leaving Long Beach on September 2, New Jersey sailed to the Vietnamese coast. On September 30, near the 17th parallel, the battleship fired her first shots in battle in over sixteen years. She fired 29 sixteen-inch rounds at People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) targets in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
On October 1, New Jersey took up position off Tiger Island. She fired at targets north of the DMZ before moving south to attack Viet Cong targets. That day, she destroyed six bunkers, a supply truck, and an anti-aircraft site. She also helped rescue the crew of a Marine spotting plane that was forced down. On October 3, New Jersey fired on targets south of Tiger Island. On October 4, she fired on a Communist troop group and destroyed several bunkers. On the evening of October 7, New Jersey sank eleven enemy supply boats near the Song Giang River.
On October 11, New Jersey attacked a coastal base. She then shifted her fire to an enemy truck group, damaging six vehicles.
From October 12 to 14, New Jersey pounded the heavily protected Vinh caves with her 16-inch shells. She aimed to remove the Viet Cong from the area. With help from spotter aircraft, New Jersey hit enemy targets, setting several positions on fire and sealing one cave. On October 14, New Jersey destroyed an artillery battery on Hon Matt Island.
On October 16, New Jersey supported the U.S. 3rd Marine Division. She destroyed 13 structures and an artillery site, stopping an enemy platoon. New Jersey continued to provide fire support until October 17. Bad weather stopped spotter aircraft until October 20. But New Jersey quickly made up for lost time. She destroyed a Viet Cong command post and nine bunkers for the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The next day, New Jersey fired at Viet Cong command posts in the Baie de Van Fong.
On October 23, New Jersey steamed north to rearm. On October 25, she supported the 3rd Marine Division again. She shelled enemy troops found by a spotter plane. The next day, New Jersey destroyed 11 structures, seven bunkers, a concrete observation tower, and an enemy trench line. North Vietnamese gunners fired at New Jersey, but their shells landed short. New Jersey fired five 16-inch shells at the suspected gun position.
On October 28, New Jersey steamed south to attack Communist targets. She silenced an anti-aircraft site. The next day, New Jersey leveled 30 structures, destroyed three underground bunkers, and shelled a Viet Cong trench line. That afternoon, she destroyed an enemy artillery position on a hilltop. On October 30, she destroyed a Communist resupply area and an anti-aircraft site.
After this mission, New Jersey steamed south to support the U.S. 1st Marine Division near Da Nang. On November 2, New Jersey began firing at nine positions, but thick trees prevented seeing the results.
On November 4, New Jersey received orders to help southern II Corps near Phan Thiết. The next day, she answered eight calls for fire support from the 173rd Airborne Brigade. She destroyed eight Viet Cong bunkers and five structures. On November 11, New Jersey left Vietnamese waters to resupply. She returned on November 23 and supported the U.S. Army's Americal Division. That afternoon, New Jersey's 5-inch guns destroyed 15 enemy buildings and heavily damaged 29 others.
On November 25, New Jersey launched her most destructive shore bombardment in Vietnam. For two days, she focused her fire on Viet Cong storage areas near Quảng Ngãi. She destroyed 182 structures and 54 bunkers. She also heavily damaged 93 structures and demolished several tunnel systems. She then went to Point Betsy near Hue on November 27 to support the 101st Airborne Division.
From December 2 to 8, New Jersey helped the 3rd Marine Division. She shelled Viet Cong bunker complexes for the Marines around Da Nang. She then left for Singapore on December 9. On December 26, New Jersey returned to the gunline. She supported the Army of the Republic of Vietnam 47th Regiment near Tuy Hòa. For three days, New Jersey supported the II Corps. She destroyed Viet Cong bunkers and supply depots and neutralized enemy cave posts. New Jersey stayed in the DMZ waters until after New Year's, shelling Communist bunkers until January 3.
Throughout January and into February, New Jersey supported the Marines. On February 10, the battleship left to help the Korean 2nd Marine Brigade near Da Nang. The battleship's target was a suspected underground area for a Viet Cong regiment. New Jersey's big guns fired 16-inch shells into tunnels and bunkers. On February 14, the battleship steamed south of the DMZ to support the 3rd Marine Division. She destroyed an anti-aircraft site. The next day, New Jersey fired on an enemy rocket site, destroying it. She then fired on known Communist positions. On February 22, New Jersey responded to an urgent request for fire support from the Oceanview observation post near the DMZ. For six hours, New Jersey fired her guns, finally pushing back the attacking force.
For the rest of February and into March, New Jersey shelled targets along the DMZ. On March 13, the battleship left for Subic Bay. She returned to action on March 20, operating near Cam Ranh Bay. She supported the Korean 9th Infantry Division. For the next week, New Jersey patrolled the waters between Phan Thiet and Tuy Hoa, shelling targets along the coast. On March 28, New Jersey took up position south of the DMZ to help the 3rd Marine Division. She stayed there until April 1, then left for Japan. During her time on the "gunline" in Vietnam, New Jersey fired 5,688 rounds of 16-inch shells and 14,891 rounds of 5-inch shells.
After Vietnam (1969–1982)
After her first Vietnam combat tour, New Jersey left Subic Bay on April 3, 1969, for Japan. She arrived at Yokosuka for a two-day visit, then sailed for the United States on April 9. However, her return home was delayed. On April 15, while New Jersey was still at sea, North Korean jet fighters shot down an unarmed surveillance plane over the Sea of Japan. All its crew were killed. A carrier task force was sent to the Sea of Japan, and New Jersey was ordered to turn around and head back to Japan. On April 22, she arrived at Yokosuka again, ready for action.
As the crisis calmed down, New Jersey was allowed to continue her journey. She anchored at Long Beach on May 5, 1969. This was her first visit to her home port in eight months. Throughout the summer, New Jersey's crew worked to prepare her for another mission. However, due to budget reasons, on August 22, 1969, the United States Secretary of Defense announced that New Jersey would be taken out of service. Five days later, Captain J. Edward Snyder was replaced by Captain Robert C. Peniston.
Captain Peniston and his crew prepared New Jersey to be put into the "mothball fleet." On September 6, New Jersey left Long Beach for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. She arrived on September 8 and began preparations for decommissioning. On December 17, 1969, New Jersey's flags were lowered, and she entered the inactive fleet. Her last commanding officer said, "Rest well, yet sleep lightly; and hear the call, if again sounded, to provide fire power for freedom."
Reactivation (1982)
As part of President Ronald Reagan's plan to create a "600-ship Navy," New Jersey was chosen to be reactivated in the spring of 1981. She was towed from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard to Long Beach Naval Shipyard in July 1981 for modernization.
The Navy planned to use New Jersey and her sister ship Iowa to meet global needs. This would help with the increased U.S. commitments in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The Navy decided to update the battleships to carry cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles. They also added defense systems. Early plans included removing four of New Jersey's 5-inch gun mounts to make space for launchers for BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles.
On December 28, 1982, New Jersey was officially recommissioned at Long Beach, California. This marked the return of the world's last battleships after a 13-year absence.
New Jersey's modernization was special because she was the only reactivated Iowa-class battleship that was planned to lose a gun turret. The Navy considered removing her No. 3 16-inch gun turret (at the back of the ship). In its place, they thought about adding more missile launchers or space for aircraft. However, these ideas were dropped, and New Jersey kept all her 16-inch gun turrets during her 1980s service.
Over the next few months, the ship was upgraded with advanced weapons. These included four launchers for 16 RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles. She also received eight Armored Box Launcher (ABL) mounts for 32 BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles. Four Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) Gatling guns were added for defense against enemy missiles and aircraft. New Jersey also received eight RQ-2 Pioneer Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones). These remotely controlled drones replaced the helicopters previously used to spot for her 16-inch guns. Her radar and fire control systems were also improved, along with her electronic warfare abilities.
Because New Jersey had been used in the Vietnam War, her modernization was different from her sister ships. When she was reactivated in 1967, her 20 mm and 40 mm anti-aircraft guns were removed. This helped reduce the time needed to recommission her. The main physical change in 1982 was removing four of her 5-inch gun mounts to make room for the Armored Box Launchers. This also made her cheaper to reactivate.
Lebanese Civil War (1983–1984)
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In 1983, a civil war was happening in Lebanon. A Multinational Force of peacekeepers from the U.S., Italy, and France was sent to help restore order. The United States sent Marines and ships from the Sixth Fleet.
On April 18, 1983, a bomb exploded at the U.S. embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people. In August 1983, Israel withdrew its forces, leading to more fighting between local groups. Militiamen began attacking U.S. Marines near Beirut International Airport. On August 29, two Marines were killed. After this, the Marines began to return fire. The U.S. government decided to send New Jersey.
On September 16, 1983, one of the groups, the Druze, gathered near Suk El Gharb. This village was important because it overlooked the Lebanese Ministry of Defence. From there, the militia could fire artillery at important locations. U.S. Navy warships shelled Druze positions. This helped the Lebanese Army hold the town until a cease-fire on September 25. New Jersey arrived on that day. Her arrival helped reduce attacks on the Marines.
On November 28, the U.S. government announced that New Jersey would stay off Beirut. On December 14, New Jersey fired 11 projectiles from her 16-inch guns at enemy positions inland of Beirut. These were the first 16-inch shells fired in combat anywhere since New Jersey left Vietnam in 1969. This shelling was in response to attacks on U.S. reconnaissance planes.
Bob Hope and his group of entertainers performed a Christmas Eve show on board New Jersey on December 24, 1983. Four hundred Marines from Beirut attended.
On February 8, 1984, New Jersey fired almost 300 shells at Druze and Shi'ite positions. About 30 of these huge shells hit a Syrian command post, killing a general and other officers. This was the heaviest shore bombardment since the Korean War.
Some people have criticized the decision to have New Jersey shell these forces. They argue it made local Lebanese Muslims believe the U.S. was taking sides.
The accuracy of New Jersey's guns was also questioned. An investigation found that many shells missed their targets by a lot. This might have accidentally killed civilians. The problem was thought to be due to the ship's gunpowder being remixed. Different batches of powder burn at different rates. Remixing them could make the guns fire inconsistently. The problem was fixed when the Navy found new powder supplies.
After Lebanon (1984–1990)
In 1986, New Jersey began her next mission as part of the Pacific Fleet. She was the main ship of her own battle group. This was the first time since the Korean War that New Jersey led her own group of escort ships. She sailed from Hawaii to Thailand in 1986. This allowed U.S. aircraft carriers to go on other missions.
During her trip through the Sea of Okhotsk in September 1986, Soviet bombers and helicopters flew close to New Jersey. Soviet ships also followed the U.S. ships. This was the first time a U.S. battleship had operated so close to the Soviet Navy's area.
After repairs in Long Beach that lasted until 1988, New Jersey returned to the Pacific Ocean. She operated near the coast of Korea before the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Then she went to Australia for bicentennial celebrations.
In April 1989, as New Jersey was getting ready for her last mission, her sister ship Iowa had a terrible explosion in one of her gun turrets. Because of this, the U.S. Navy stopped live fire exercises with the guns. Eventually, the ban was lifted, and New Jersey was allowed to use her big guns again.
New Jersey's final mission began in 1989 as part of Pacific Exercise '89. After the exercise, New Jersey sailed through the Indian Ocean and into the Persian Gulf. She was the main ship for various battle groups. New Jersey stayed in the Persian Gulf for the rest of the year. She returned to the United States in February 1990.
Reserve Fleet and Museum Ship (1991–Present)
Quick facts for kids |
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USS New Jersey (BB-62)
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Overview of the ship from a river ferry
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 Location in Camden County, New Jersey
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| Location | 62 Battleship Place Camden, New Jersey |
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| Built | 1942 |
| Architect | U.S. Navy |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000980 |
| Added to NRHP | 17 September 2004 |
In the early 1990s, the Soviet Union collapsed. This led to big cuts in the defense budget. It became too expensive to keep battleships in the active fleet. So, New Jersey was decommissioned for the last time at Naval Station Long Beach, California, on February 8, 1991. She had served a total of 21 years in active duty, more than any other Iowa-class ship. This decision meant New Jersey could not take part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Her sister ships, Missouri and Wisconsin, were firing missiles at Iraqi targets during this time. After being decommissioned, New Jersey was towed to Bremerton, Washington. She stayed in reserve until January 1995.
A law in 1996 required the U.S. Navy to put two Iowa-class battleships back on the Naval Vessel Register. These ships were to be kept in the "mothball fleet." The Navy had to make sure they were in good condition and could be reactivated for Marine Corps operations. Because Iowa had a damaged turret, the Navy chose New Jersey for the mothball fleet. The cost to fix New Jersey was less than fixing Iowa. So, New Jersey and Wisconsin were put back on the Naval Vessel Register and into the reserve fleet.
New Jersey stayed in the mothball fleet until a new law passed on October 18, 1998. This law said the Navy should keep Iowa and Wisconsin on the Naval Vessel Register. But it also said the Navy should remove New Jersey and give her to a non-profit group. This group had to locate the battleship in the state of New Jersey. The Navy made this change in January 1999. On September 12, New Jersey was towed from Bremerton, Washington, to Philadelphia. She was prepared for her new life as a museum.
Two groups wanted the battleship: one from Bayonne, New Jersey, and one from Camden, New Jersey. Both groups submitted plans to operate the battleship as a museum. The Navy chose the Home Port Alliance in Camden. Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig announced this on January 20, 2000. On October 15 of that year, New Jersey arrived at her final home on the Camden Waterfront.
Soon after her arrival, New Jersey opened to the public. She officially began her new role as a museum ship, called the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial. Visitors can take self-guided tours, guided group tours, and even stay overnight on the ship. Overnight stays, often for Scouting groups, allow people to sleep and eat in the original berths and mess decks.
New Jersey has been placed on several historic lists. In 1997, she was recommended for the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. In 2004, the State of New Jersey officially named her an historical place. This allowed New Jersey to be added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
In early 2012, there was talk about moving New Jersey to Liberty State Park. However, nothing came of it, and the ship remains in Camden.
One of USS New Jersey’s original gun barrels from 1943 to 1954 is now on display in Philadelphia. Another original gun barrel is located in Camden, next to USS New Jersey.
Awards and Honors
New Jersey earned nine battle stars for her service in World War II. She received four for the Korean War, two for the Vietnam War, and four for actions in Lebanon and the Persian Gulf. Among other awards, she received the Navy Unit Commendation for her service in Vietnam. She also received the Presidential Unit Citation from the Republic of the Philippines and the Presidential Unit Citation from the Republic of Korea. Because of these awards, New Jersey is the most decorated battleship in U.S. history.
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with 9 battle stars |
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Images for kids
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New Jersey shortly after being decommissioned in 1948. The "igloo"-like domes protected her anti-aircraft guns.
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The Conning Tower, or "battle conn," on the USS New Jersey's bridge. It has thick steel armor and equipment to steer the ship.
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New Jersey and Missouri in the "mothball fleet" in 1981.
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See also
In Spanish: USS New Jersey (BB-62) para niños
