USS Idaho BB-42

Construction of the USS Idaho began in 1917 and it was completed in 1919. After a brief trip to Guantanamo Bay, she returned to New York where she provided the President of Brazil, Pessoa, with transportation to Rio de Janeiro. After dropping off passengers, she traveled to her new post in Monterey, California and joined the Pacific Fleet. During her early years in the Pacific Fleet, the USS Idaho spent a great deal of time on training maneuvers and inspections.

Many of the fleet exercises conducted during this time were extensive, and it was not unusual for the ship to head as far south as Chile when participating in the maneuvers. Additional exercises were performed in Hawaii, Australia and Samoa.

She continued to participate in drills along the coast of California and in the Caribbean while based in San Pedro. In late 1931, the Idaho headed back to the east coast where she would be overhauled at the Norfolk Navy Yard. Improved armor, protection against submarines and better gunnery were part of the improvements given to the ship at the time. She returned to San Pedro in 1935.

The USS Idaho was eventually assigned to training exercises with the Pacific Fleet. In addition to routine training, she patrolled the ocean and even made trips to Iceland as part of the policy of protecting American interests. She survived the air strike by the Japanese that decimated much of the Pacific Fleet because she was located in Iceland at the time.

Two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Idaho and the USS Mississippi, her companion in Iceland, left to rejoin the greatly reduced Pacific Fleet. A trip to Puget Sound for a quick overhaul was also completed before the USS Idaho headed to the Aleutians. Once she arrived in the Aleutians, she provided off shore fire support for the Army. After the Japanese abandoned the Aleutians, the Idaho returned to San Fransisco for a brief stop before heading to the Gilbert Islands to provide gun support. At the end of this operation she joined an assault fleet that had assembled at Pearl Harbor and headed to the Makin Atoll, where she provided antiaircraft fire and off shore gun support.

The next battle for the USS Idaho was the invasion of the Marshall Islands, where, once again the Idaho softened the targets before invasion. After a short break, she returned to the Marianas Islands for another round of pre invasion bombing. Her repeated assaults on Saipan and Guam were instrumental in the success of ground forces when they moved in. She played an instrumental part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea as well, protecting the convoys in the area.

A brief break allowed the USS Idaho to enter a dry dock for repairs. After these repairs were made, she moved on to Peleliu in preparation of invading the Philippines. This was a particularly fierce battle, and her involvement allowed the marines to advance into the strongly fortified positions of the Japanese. At the end of this battle, the Idaho headed to Washington where she had extensive repairs completed.

The Idaho later rejoined the fleet in Pearl Harbor and they headed for the Marianas once again. The military was preparing to invade Iwo Jima. She provided off shore fire power as the marines launched their attack. After Iwo Jima, the Idaho headed to Okinawa to soften the enemy. She managed to shoot down five kamikaze planes before she was damaged and had to steam to Guam for repairs. Repairs were hastily made and then she returned to her position.

After heading to Tokyo Bay and witnessing the signing of the Japanese surrender, she headed back to Norfolk where she was decommissioned and eventually sold for scrap. During her time in World War II, the USS Idaho received seven battle stars.

Unfortunately, the majority of battleships during World War II were heavily contained with asbestos products. As a result, those who repaired and served on the Idaho may have been exposed to the toxic substance and may be at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

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