USS Colorado BB-45

The construction of the battleship USS Colorado began in 1919 and was completed in 1923. The Colorado was an impressive boat, reaching 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, the vessel returned to New York for repairs. The Colorado then headed to the west coast and the port at San Francisco. Although the Colorado would eventually move from San Francisco, she remained 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. Her trips took her along the west coast with the occasional return to the east coast and the Caribbean. The Colorado 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 World War II.

Before the United States became involved in the war, the USS Colorado was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Luckily though, she was not docked at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack. In the summer before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Colorado was sent to the naval yard in Puget Sound for an overhaul, replacing her guns and preparing the vessel for battle. Once the overhaul was complete, she was sent to protect San Francisco. This patrol route along the Golden Gate Bridge allowed the USS Colorado to escape the attack on Pearl Harbor unscathed.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Colorado was docked there and 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.

Once this mission was completed, the USS Colorado received repairs and 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 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.

After returning 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 U.S. air landings at Tokyo. She left Tokyo Bay and returned to Seattle, where she participated in the Navy Day celebration.

After that, the Colorado 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. After the war, the USS Colorado was sent to Bremerton Navy Yard and was placed out of commission in 1947..

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 11aircrafts during her time in battle and was involved in 10 operations against the enemy. The ship's many skirmishes led to the need for many repairs. Unfortunately, those that worked on the Colorado may have been exposed to asbestos because much of the ship's materials contained the toxic substance.

If you have previously worked at a shipyard or served on a major military vessel, you may be at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease, including lung cancer, asbestosis or mesothelioma.

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