USS Nevada BB-36

The USS Nevada was commissioned in 1916. She was in operation along the east coast and in the Caribbean until the U.S. entered World War I, after which she sailed to Ireland to serve with the British Grand Fleet. Following the end of WWI, the Nevada served in the Pacific and Atlantic fleets, participated in goodwill cruises to Australia and New Zealand, and was upgraded prior to the start of America's involvement in WWII.

The USS Nevada During World War II

On December 7, 1941, the USS Nevada was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, and therefore had much greater freedom of movement than the other eight battleships that were present at Pearl Harbor. However, it made the vessel more vulnerable to attack as she was struck by a torpedo and at least two bombs. While attempting to leave the harbor, the crew was forced to beach the vessel due to fears of sinking.

The USS Nevada was recovered on February 12, 1942 and repaired at Puget Sound Naval Yard, where she was also fitted with gun upgrades. Following the repairs, the Nevada traveled to Alaska, arriving in May 1943 to provide support for the capture of Attu Island, which had been invaded by Japan on June 7, 1942.

Following the recapture of the island she traveled to Norfolk Navy Yard for further upgrades, and from there to British waters to prepare for the invasion of Normandy. During June, her guns bombarded the shore defenses on the Cherbourg Peninsula.

Between August 15 and September 25, the USS Nevada was providing support at Toulon in the invasion of southern France. The vessel's guns were later overhauled in New York and then traveled to the Pacific, where she arrived at Iwo Jima on February 16, 1945. Upon arrival, she provided gunfire support for Marines landing on the shores.

By March 24 she was at Okinawa with the largest naval force that had ever been amassed in the Pacific. The USS Nevada hit Japanese shore defenses, airfields, supply camps and troop concentrations, despite being damaged by a kamikaze plane on March 27. She remained in service at Okinawa until June 30, after which she was with the Third Fleet invading Japan's homelands until the war was finally over. For her services in WWII, the USS Nevada received seven battle stars.

After the War

The USS Nevada returned to Pearl Harbor after a brief period spent in Tokyo Bay. She was then assigned as a target ship for atomic experiments in Bikini Atoll. Following the July 1946 atomic bomb test, she returned to Pearl Harbor and was decommissioned on August 29. She was sunk by aerial torpedoes and gunfire on July 31, 1948 as part of practice exercises.

If you or a loved served on the USS Nevada, you may have been exposed to the toxic substance asbestos. This material was common usage on Navy ships during WWII and could have been found in areas that needed insulation or fireproofing. As a result of asbestos exposure, many veterans have developed an asbestos-related disease and have sought compensation with the help of an asbestos attorney. Some of the illnesses that can develop from asbestos exposure include lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

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