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USS Missouri BB-63

The USS Missouri - nicknamed "Mighty Mo," - was an Iowa-class battleship, and was the last to be built by the U.S. Launched on January 29, 1944, and commissioned on June 11, 1944, she was the site of the official Japanese surrender in World War II, and was later in action in the Korean and Gulf Wars.

The USS Missouri received three battle stars for her World War II service, five for her Korean War service, and a further three for her service in the Gulf War. She also received numerous other awards, including a Navy Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, and Meritorious Unit Commendation.

The USS Missouri during World War II

The USS Missouri arrived at Pearl Harbor on December 24, 1944, and from there traveled to Ulithi at the West Caroline Islands, arriving January 13, 1945. After briefly serving as temporary headquarters for Admiral Mark A. Mitscher, she put to sea on January 26 to serve in the Lexington carrier task group. On February 16, the aircraft carriers in the group launched the first air strikes against Japan since April 1942.

The Missouri then traveled to Iwo Jima, where she provided support to invasion landings. She was then assigned to the Yorktown carrier group, which traveled to the Japanese mainland, beginning strikes on March 18. Raids continued against airfields and other targets for several days. On March 22, she relocated to Okinawa, joining other battleships in bombing to provide support for more invasion landings. She rejoined the carrier ships as Marine and Army units landed on the shores of Okinawa on April 1.

On April 11, the USS Missouri opened fire on a low-flying kamikaze plan that subsequently crashed on her starboard site. Despite the ensuring gasoline fire she received little damage, and the fire was quickly controlled. In a move that was not agreed upon by all of the crew, Captain William M. Callaghan decided that the pilot of the kamikaze plane—whose body remained on the ship—should be buried with military honors, and this was done at sea the next day.

Several weeks later on May 5, the Missouri was detached from her carrier force and she sailed for Ulithi, arriving May 9, 1945, and from there to Guam, arriving on May 18. By May 27 she was back in Okinawa conducting further shore bombardment. On June 5 and 6 she weathered a fierce storm, receiving some superficial damage. On June 8 her fleet struck Kyushu before heading towards Leyte. She arrived there on June 13 after almost three months of continuous support in Okinawa.

In Leyte, she made preparations to lead the Third Fleet in strikes on Tokyo, Honshu, and Hokkaido. On July 15, the USS Missouri and other ships bombarded the Nihon Steel Co. and the Wanishi Ironworks, in the first gunfire on major installation within the home islands of Japan. By the end of July, U.S. forces had more or less gained control of Japanese home waters. Strikes on Honshu and Hokkaido resumed on August 9 and on August 10 came the unofficial news that Japan was ready to surrender. The USS Missouri entered Tokyo Bay on August 29 to prepare for the official signing of surrender documents.

On September 2, 1945, American and British sailors and officers as well as high-ranking military officials from several countries gathered aboard the USS Missouri to witness the signing of the surrender documents that signaled the official end of World War II.

After the War

The action was by no means over for the "Mighty Mo" after World War II ended. During the Korean War she was the first American battleship to enter Korean waters, and she was highly active throughout the war, until being decommissioned in February 1955.

The USS Missouri was recommissioned and reactivated in 1984 under the Reagan administration's program to build a 600-ship Navy. After activation she was upgraded considerably. In 1990 her upgrades were put to use in the Gulf War, where she engaged in combat and helped destroy Iraqi naval mines. She returned home on March 21, 1991 and was decommissioned on March 31, 1992.

"Mighty Mo" remained part of the reserve fleet until she was struck from the Naval Register on January 12, 1995. In January 1999 she was opened as a museum ship, owned and operated by the USS Missouri Memorial Association.

One important thing to note about Navy ships such as the USS Missouri is that these ships often contained a large amount of asbestos, particularly in insulation and fire-proofing materials. People who served aboard these ships, or were involved in repairing them, are at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Missouri BB-63, 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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