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USS Massachusetts BB-59

The USS Massachusetts, nicknamed "Big Mamie," was a South Dakota-class battleship launched on September 21, 1941, and commissioned on May 12, 1942. For her service in World War II, the Massachusetts earned eleven battle stars, and the reputation of "Work Horse of the Fleet." She is also known for the fact that no U.S. Navy personnel were killed while aboard.

The USS Massachusetts during World War II

The Massachusetts arrived at Noumea in New Caledonia on March 4, 1943 and spent the next few months supporting operations in the Solomon Islands by protecting convoy lanes. In late November, she sailed with a group for strikes in the Gilbert Islands, at Makin, Tarawa, and Abemama. In December she was in Nauru, and by the end of January 1946 was again at Tarawa, guarding carriers.

As the U.S. Navy moved across the Pacific, the USS Massachusetts bombarded Kwaialein on January 30 and covered landings at the site on February 1, in a raid that inflicted heavy damage to Japanese forces. On February 21 and 22, the Massachusetts was in raids on Saipan, Tinian, and Guam, helping to fight of heavy air attacks made on her taskforce group. In late March she took part in attacks in the Caroline Islands, and on April 22 participated in the Hollandia invasion, before returning to Truk for further attacks. Her last mission before sailing to Puget Sound for an overhaul was at Ponape Island on May 1.

The USS Massachusetts left Pearl harbor on August 1 to resume operations in the Pacific, sailing first to the Marshall Islands, and from there to provide support for landings at Leyte Gulf. She took part in a fleet strike against Okinawa on October 10, in an attempt to block Japanese air attacks, and protected forces at Formosa between October 12 and 14. Between October 22 and 27, she participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, during which her planes sank four Japanese carriers off Cape Engano.

"Big Mamie" briefly stopped at Ulithi, and then returned to the Philippines to strike Manila on December 14. As many other Navy ships did, the Massachusetts encountered Typhoon Cobra on December 17. The raging winds, estimated at 120 knots, sank three destroyers, but the Massachusetts emerged with little damage. Between December 30 and January 23, 1945, she was involved in strikes on Formosa and Okinawa, and provided support for the Lingayen landing. She also spent time sailing the South China Sea, destroying shipping lines between Hong Kong and Saigon.

Between February 10 and March 15, the Massachusetts was engaged in protecting carriers during raids on Honshu. She was also involved in strikes at Iwo Jima, and on March 17 was repelling enemy attacks and providing protection for carrier air strikes against Kyushu. A week later she was bombarding Okinawa, and in April was engaged in fighting off air attacks while engaged in Okinawa operations. At the beginning of June she encountered another Typhoon, passing through the eye of 100 knot winds.

On June 10, the USS Massachusetts was bombarding Minami Daito Jima in the Ryukyu Islands. On July 1 she sailed from Leyte Gulf to join in the final offensive against Japan, and after guarding the carriers that launched air strikes against Tokyo, hit Japan's second largest iron and steel, located in Honshu. After bombarding the industrial complex at Hamamatsu two weeks later, she returned to attack Kamaishi on August 9, where she fired what is believed to be the very last sixteen-inch shell fired in World War II combat.

After the War

The USS Massachusetts sailed for Puget Sound, and an overhaul, on September 1, and left on January 28, 1946, for operations off the coast of California. She was decommissioned on March 27, 1947 and removed from the Naval Register on June 1, 1962.

Most decommissioned ships are eventually sold for scrap, but this was not the fate of "Big Mamie." Citizens of Massachusetts saved the ship by raising $50,000 for her preservation, and the USS Massachusetts now rests at Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Navy ships such as the USS Massachusetts often contained a large amount of asbestos, particularly in insulation and fire-proofing materials. Exposure to asbestos while in service aboard Navy ships, or repairing Navy ships, was unfortunately all-too-common. If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Massachusetts BB-59, 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.

Battleships Index

USS Alabama USS Arizona BB 39 USS Arkansas BB 33 USS California BB 44 USS Colorado BB 45 USS Idaho BB 42 USS Indiana USS Iowa BB 61 USS Maryland BB 46

USS Massachusetts BB 59 USS Mississippi BB 41 USS Missouri BB 63 USS Nevada BB 36 USS New Jersey BB 62 USS New Mexico BB 40 USS New York BB 34 USS North Carolina BB 55 USS Oklahoma BB 37

USS Pennsylvania BB 38 USS South Dakota BB 57 USS Tennessee BB 43 USS Texas-BB 35 USS Utah BB 31 USS Washington BB 56 USS West Virginia BB 48 USS Wisconsin BB 64

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