USS Colorado BB-45

The construction of the battleship USS Colorado began in 1919, and she was completed in 1923. The lead ship in her class, the USS Colorado was an impressive boat. She was 624 feet long and moved at 21 knots. The maiden voyage of the USS Colorado was a Trans-Atlantic trip. This extensive trip included stops in England, France and Italy. Upon the completion of this tour she returned to her port in New York for repairs. She then headed to the west coast, and the port at San Francisco. While she would move from San Francisco, she would spend th remainder of her career as a member of the Pacific Fleet.

As a member of the Pacific Fleet, the USS Colorado spent the majority of her early career involved in training and fleet exercises and as a part of military ceremonies. Her trips took her along the west coast, with the occasional return to the east coast and the Caribbean. She also made the daunting trip to the far Pacific, including Samoa and Australia. In addition to her military duties, the USS Colorado participated in search and rescue missions, including the search for Amelia Earhart. She also helped in disaster relief after an earthquake in Long Beach, California. These missions, while important, would serve as little comparison to the gruelling career she would have once the United States entered the second World War.

In the run-up to the United States involvement in the second world war, the USS Colorado was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Through some stroke of fortune, she was not docked at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack. In the summer before the attack on Pearl Harbor she was sent to the naval yard in Puget Sound for an overhaul, replacing her guns and readying her for what appeared to be America's inevitable entrance in the war. The work completed, she was sent, along with the USS Maryland, to protect San Francisco. This patrol route along the Golden Gate Bridge allowed the USS Colorado to eascape the attack on Pearl Harbor unscathed.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, she returned to dock there, and was assigned with guarding against any expansion of the Japanese military. During this assignment, she spent much of her time patrolling the New Hebrides and Fiji Islands. As a large battleship she also provided fire support during invasions, such as the one on Tarawa. After this mission she again faced repairs. After the repairs to the USS Colorado where completed, she was then sent to participate in the invasion of the Marshall Islands. Following fire support for the battles of Kwajalein and Eniwetok, the USS Colorado headed back to Puget Sound for needed updates.

After the reconstruction work was complete, she rejoined her division at San Francisco and then headed to Guam and Saipan where she, once again, provided off shore fire support for invasions. One such operation, at Tinian, caused extensive damaged to the Colorado when she was hit by over 20 shells. She remained in the battle, and then returned to her base for repairs.

Repairs complete, the USS Colorado headed back to her duties. Barely a week after her return to the Pacific Theater, she was hit by two kamikaze pilots, causing 19 deaths and wounding over 70 on board the ship. The ship received damage as well, and she was steamed to Manus Island for repairs. Again, disaster struck soon after her return to action. Less than 10 days after her return, she was hit by friendly gunfire, causing 18 deaths and over 50 injuries.

In preparation for the United States occupation of Japan, the Colorado participated in pre-invasion bombardments of Okinawa. She provided military fire support for the US air landings at Tokyo. She left Tokyo Bay and returned to Seattle, where she participated in the Navy Day celebration. She then participated in Operation Magic Carpet, a military operation that was designed to get servicemen home as soon as possible after the war. She made three trips to Pearl Harbor, bringing over 6,300 veterans home from the war.

The end of the war was the end of the line for the USS Colorado, who was sent to Bremerton Navy Yard. She was placed out of commission in 1947 and sold for scrapping in 1959.

An active part of World War II, the USS Colorado received seven battle stars for her service during the war. She is credited with shooting down eleven aircraft during her time in battle, and was involved in ten operations against the enemy. Her many skirmishes led to the need for many repairs. Anyone working in the shipyards or on board these battleships may have been exposed to asbestos. If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Colorado BB-45, 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.

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