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USS Arkansas BB-33

Construction of the USS Arkansas began in 1910, and was completed in 1912. Her maiden voyage involved transporting then President Taft to view the work being completed on the Panama Canal. After this, she participated in routine training and then was placed with the Atlantic Fleet. She headed overseas in late 1913 to ports along the Mediterranean Sea. Tensions brewing on the home front brought the USS Arkansas back to the United States. Political changes in Mexico made for a volatile situation along the border. A coup and change in leadership in Mexico made the United States nervous, as did the news that weapons were being moved by sea. The Atlantic Fleet was sent to Veracruz as aid to the vessels that were already in the area. The boat was anchored and the sailors disembarked and were engaged in fighting. The USS Arkansas lost two sailors during this battle.

World War I

After her duties were complete in Veracruz, the USS Arkansas returned to her position in the Atlantic. Life on the Arkansas fell into a routine, training maneuvers and patrols, coupled with stints in the navy yards for repairs and updates. This was soon to change, with the United States entry into World War I. When the US joined the was, the Arkansas was put with the Battleship Division 7, and spent over a year patrolling the east coast and training military crew members. The majority of her time was spent around the Norfolk area.

In July of 1918, the USS Arkansas was sent to Scotland to take over duties that were being performed by the USS Delaware. During her time in Scotland, the USS Arkansas was under the command of the British Royal Fleet. The war went on for another three months while the Arkansas was in active duty, and at the end of the war she returned to the United States. What followed was another peaceful interlude, where the Arkansas spent time on training missions and time in repair.

World War II

At the beginning of World War II, the United States was docked in Virginia. She continued on her routine of training exercises as everyone kept an eye on the war effort and tried to determine what the United States roll in it would be. The Arkansas was one of the early entries in the war, as she joined another battleship and a cruiser on the trek to Iceland. This was in support of marines that were moving into the area. She then moved to Newfoundland to provide lodging for dignitaries during the Atlantic Charter conference.

On December 7, 1941, the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Arkansas was moored in Maine. By the end of the summer she had been overhauled and training had been completed. She headed to Scotland, as an escort for destroyers and transports. Another trip to Scotland and then she escorted additional troops to Morocco. This followed a change in the war strategy that occurred when focus shifted from Europe to Northern Africa.

Once she returned home, she began life as a training ship. After several months in base, used for training, she was once again called on to escort troops. After several escorts to Ireland, the USS Arkansas changed careers again. Her new role was as a shore bombardment ship. She headed to France, and was instrumental in her support of the invasion of Normandy. Her duties complete, she headed to the south of France, where she participated in "Operation Anvil".

After a brief stop for repairs and refresher training, the USS Arkansas traveled to the Pacific Theater, where she participated in the battle at Iwo Jima. After providing fire support for the marines in the area, she headed to Okinawa, preparing for invasion. Here, the Arkansas was attacked by kamikazes, but managed to fend them off. The USS Arkansas spent the remainder of the war in the Pacific, and when the war ended, brought nearly 800 troops, other than her own, home from overseas.

The USS Arkansas ended her military career as brilliantly as she battled during the war. The United States was working on their atomic capabilities, and the USS Arkansas was chosen to participate. The initial plan was for the USS Arkansas to be sunk by atomic bomb. She was to be taken out by an atomic bomb, but survived. The second test, which was the first underwater nuclear test performed by the United States, sunk the battleship. She was decommissioned in July of 1946. The USS Arkansas received four battle stars for her work during the second World War.

Anyone who has worked around battleships, either on board or in navy yards, may have been exposed to asbestos. If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Arkansas BB-33, 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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