USS Idaho BB-42

Construction of the USS Idaho began in 1917, and was completed in 1919. After a brief trip to Guantanamo Bay, she returned to her New York post where she provided the President of Brazil, Pessoa, with transportation to Rio de Janeiro. After dropping off her passengers, she traveled to her new post in Monterey, California, via the Panama Canal, where she became a member of 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. In 1920, the Secretary of the Interior traveled to Alaska aboard the Idaho.

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. During this time they provided transportation for Commander John Rodgers and his crew who failed in an attempt to fly their seaplane to Hawaii. She continued to participate in drills along the coast of California and in the Caribbean while based in San Pedro. In late 1931 she 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 her at the time. She returned to San Pedro in 1935.

War loomed on the horizon, and the US, although not involved yet, wanted to ensure that they were ready if the time came. Newly remodeled, the USS Idaho was sent back to training exercises with the rest of 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. Training exercised along the west coast, and a trip to Puget Sound for a quick overhaul were 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. During this time she continued to provide off shore support before and during invasions.

A brief break allowed the USS Idaho to enter a dry dock for repairs of the many battles she had been involved in over the previous months. 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 she headed to Washington, where she had extensive repairs completed.

After she was repaired, she rejoined her group 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. Her job completed at Iwo Jima, she headed to Okinawa. Softening the enemy off shore was by now a specialty of the Idahos, and she performed her job admirably at Okinawa, despite aggressive kamikaze attacks. 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.

The Idaho headed to Tokyo Bay, where her crew were witness to the signing of the Japanese surrender on board the USS Missouri. After this ceremony, 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.

During the time that the men and women of the military were fighting and dying on ships and working to repair them so that they could return to battle, they were also being exposed to asbestos. If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Idaho BB-42, 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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