Commissioned in May 1943, the USS New Jersey (BB-62), an Iowa-class battleship, embarked on a journey. the New Jersey earned a total of 19 Battle and Campaign stars, making her the most decorated battleship in American history, the most of any surviving U.S. Navy ship, and the second-most decorated ship in American history. Her service spanned the globe and the decades, encompassing World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Cold War tensions, and conflicts in the Middle East.
The New Jersey’s prowess was evident from her initial combat operations in the Pacific during World War II. As the flagship of both Admiral William F. Halsey’s Third Fleet and Admiral Raymond A. Spruance’s Fifth Fleet, she played critical roles in the Marshalls invasion and the assault on the Mariana Islands. The vessel epitomized naval strength during Operation Hailstone in February 1944, where under Spruance’s command, she led a raid on Truk, decimating the Japanese base known as the “Gibraltar of the Pacific.” Her ability to fend off enemy ships and aircraft while protecting allied carriers was unmatched.
Amid World War II’s fierce battles, the USS New Jersey’s guns did not just roar in the open sea. Her shore bombardments were pivotal in major amphibious invasions, such as those on the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Her precise artillery support and formidable presence were key to the Allied advance across the Pacific.
With a record of engaging in more combat than any other battleship of her class, USS New Jersey transitioned smoothly into her role as a flagship of America’s greatest fighting admirals. Her command over the Navy’s main fleet and the strategic decisions made from her flag plot had significant impacts on the outcomes of the battles she participated in. The Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history, saw the New Jersey as Halsey’s flagship, where she was integral to the strategic movements of the fleet, albeit with decisions that incited as much controversy as they did triumph.
In the Korean War, reactivated in November 1950, New Jersey was again at the forefront as the 7th Fleet’s flagship, proving the continued relevance of battleship might in post-WWII conflicts. Her reactivation for Vietnam in 1968 showcased the battleship’s adaptability and firepower, where she delivered devastating coastal bombardments that left a psychological imprint on enemy troops.
Relevant articles:
– New Jersey (BB 62), Navy (.mil)
– Full History – Battleship New Jersey, Battleship New Jersey