USS Indiana BB-58

The construction of the USS Indiana began in 1939 and was completed in 1942. Fortunately, the USS Indiana was completed at a time when the United States needed replacements for ships lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor. After her initial training runs, she was sent to the Pacific through the Panama Canal.

The Indiana began her career as a screen ship for aircraft carriers. She helped protect the USS Enterprise and Saratoga and the planes that landed on them. At the time, the ships were located in the waters around the Solomon Islands.

The next duty for the USS Indiana occurred with the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. The Indiana was designated as protection for the aircraft carriers in the area as well as the marines that fought in the battle for Tarawa. Additional duties included softening Kwajalein before the marines invaded the Marshalls.

Softening targets involved providing off shore fire to installments on the land. While softening the target could lessen the surprise of an invasion, it allowed the marines easier access because of the damage and chaos that it created.

While the plan to protect the aircraft and soften the targets of attacks were successful, tragedy struck soon after. The Indiana collided with the Washington during night time refueling maneuvers. The collision caused four deaths and 11 injuries. It also resulted in damage to both of the ships. The USS Indiana was repaired well enough to make the trip to Pearl Harbor for permanent repairs.

With repairs complete, the USS Indiana was assigned to participate in raids conducted on the Truk Atolls. After the completion of her duties, she then proceeded to the Marianas as part of a huge envoy set to invade the islands. The Marianas were considered an attractive target and the United States assembled a large group for battle. The USS Indiana was an important part of this division. She shot down several aircrafts while defending herself and other ships at the same time. The Japanese were not ready to give ground in the Marianas, and what followed proved to be the largest carrier air battle of the war.

This battle, known as the Battle of the Philippine Sea began when the Japanese launched a series of attacks on the American battle line. What followed was nothing short of amazing, as the carrier planes and ships proceeded to shoot down almost 400 Japanese planes and sink three Japanese aircraft carriers. At the end of the battle, the American forces could declare victory and the Indiana could resume her protection of the carrier ships.

Next in line for the USS Indiana was an operation to soften the Palau Islands and the Philippines. After this assignment, she headed back to Washington, where she had repair work and modernization completed before returning to Pearl Harbor. After brief training exercises at Pearl Harbor, the Indiana returned to the Pacific Theater to participate in the battle at Iwo Jima.

At the end of the war, the USS Indiana was placed in reserved status and eventually decommissioned. In 1963, the ship was sold for scrap. The USS Indiana was an important part of the war effort during the second World War, receiving nine battle starts for her service to the country.

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