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USS Alabama BB-60

Production of the USS Alabama, a battleship, began in 1940, and she was commissioned in August of 1942. Her initial duties involved training maneuvers along the east coast of the United States. Her first military action was as an assistant to the British Royal Navy as they began the trip to the Mediterranean Sea to prepare for battle in Sicily. She did not make the journey alone, she was joined by another battleship and five destroyers. They arrived in May of 1943 to begin joint operations with the British Navy. The USS Alabama remained with the British Navy through August of that year, and then returned to Norfolk. After some minor repairs, the USS Alabama was sent to the joint the Pacific Fleet. Her trip to the Pacific took her through the Panama Canal.

Once the USS Alabama joined the Pacific Fleet she headed to the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, where she served as protection for other ships in the area. In addition to her role in neutralizing the enemy, the USS Alabama also operated an important rescue mission, bringing soldiers on board who had been aboard a ship, the Boyd, that was hit by Japanese fire.

The USS Alabama returned to dock for repairs and then rejoined the military action in the Pacific Ocean. During her time in the Pacific Theater, the USS Alabama participated in a number of important missions, including Operation Flintrock, Operation Forager, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Operation Stalemate, and the Battle of Cape Engano. While the USS Alabama withstood intense battle conditions, it was the weather that would become her worst enemy. A typhoon blew through the area where the Alabama and other ships belonging to the US Navy were located. Three destroyers were lost to the storm, but the Alabama escaped with minor damage. While the damage did not put the crew in immediate danger, the USS Alabama was sent to Puget Sound for repairs.

After the repairs to the USS Alabama were completed, she headed back to the Pacific Theater to protect ships that were carrying out air strikes in the area.

Another typhoon, this time causing only cosmetic damage, hit the ship, and then she joined the Third Fleet in preparation of launching a major offensive strike on the Japanese. The strikes throughout the month of July were aimed at industrial areas in Japan. During her time in the Pacific, the USS Alabama shot down over 20 aircraft and did not suffer any loss of life due to enemy fire. This record earned her the nickname the Lucky A.

The End of Battle

At the end of the war, the USS Alabama stayed in the Far East. Her duties shifted from war time efforts, and she provided transportation and support to the military forces that stayed in Japan after the war. Before leaving Japan, 700 sailors came aboard for the ride to San Fransisco. She was decommissioned in 1947, and removed from the Naval registry in 1962. Her service history was exemplary, during her time in battle, she received nine battle stars.

The state of Alabama, in a show of support for the battleship that bears its name, formed an organization to raise money that would pay for the development of a memorial to the soldiers of World War II. As a part of this project they wanted to preserve the USS Alabama. The USS battleship Commission, as the group was known, raised nearly one million dollars. Fundraising complete, the ship was towed to Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama in September of 1964. She was opened to the public in early 1965. She was not the only relic of the war effort at Battleship Memorial Park, the USS Drum, a submarine, was added to the park in 1969. Both vessels are open to the public. The Drum is on land after damage suffered in a hurricane, and the USS Alabama is accessible through the gun turrets.

In 1986, the USS Alabama was named a National Historic Landmark. From her station in Mobile, Alabama, she continues to provide support to her country. Often used as a hurricane shelter, she had families on board when she was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Although the damage by Katrina was extensive, the ship developed a list and moved from the spot where she was permanently anchored, and much of the dry land exhibit was damaged, the park was open again by the beginning of 2006.

While the USS Alabama holds the distinction of never losing a man in battle, anyone that spent time on a navy ship during the second World War, or anyone who worked in the shipyards repairing these ships, may have been exposed to asbestos. If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Alabama BB-60, or have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, Asbestos.com offers a free packet with more information. Enter your contact information in the form in the right column and we'll send a copy immediately.

Battleships Index

USS Alabama USS Arizona BB 39 USS Arkansas BB 33 USS California BB 44 USS Colorado BB 45 USS Idaho BB 42 USS Indiana USS Iowa BB 61 USS Maryland BB 46

USS Massachusetts BB 59 USS Mississippi BB 41 USS Missouri BB 63 USS Nevada BB 36 USS New Jersey BB 62 USS New Mexico BB 40 USS New York BB 34 USS North Carolina BB 55 USS Oklahoma BB 37

USS Pennsylvania BB 38 USS South Dakota BB 57 USS Tennessee BB 43 USS Texas-BB 35 USS Utah BB 31 USS Washington BB 56 USS West Virginia BB 48 USS Wisconsin BB 64

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