USS New Mexico BB-40

The USS New Mexico was launched on April 13, 1917, and commissioned on May 20, 1918. After her initial training she departed for Brest, France, to escort the transport ship George Washington back to America. The ship was carrying President Woodrow Wilson, who had attended the Versailles Peace Conference. On July 16 became the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, and over the next decade participated frequently in maneuvers with other fleets in the Pacific and the Caribbean. After an overhaul between 1931 and 1933, she returned to the Pacific for training and tactical operations.

The USS New Mexico during World War II

The USS New Mexico was based in Pearl Harbor between December 6, 1940 and May 20, 1941, after which she sailed to Norfolk to join the Atlantic fleet for neutrality patrol, a force that tracked and reported warlike operations in the waters of the Western Hemisphere.

In May 1942 she was outfitted with additional anti-aircraft artillery, which replaced existing 5"/51 caliber guns, and on August 1 she was ready for action. Between December 6 and March 22, 1943, she was engaged in escorting troop transports to the Fijis, after which she returned to Pearl Harbor to prepare for the campaign in the Aleutians. The USS New Mexico spent the next months at Adak, Attu, and Kiska, regaining control of the islands. Next, she underwent further refitting at Puget Sound Navy Yard, and then returned to Pearl Harbor to prepare for the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. During the invasion she bombarded Makin Atoll, provided anti-aircraft cover for carriers, and guarded transport ships. After these activities she returned to Pearl Harbor on December 5.

January 1944 saw the USS New Mexico participating in the invasion of the Marshall Islands, where she bombarded Ebeye and Kwaialein before restocking at Majuro. She bombarded Wotje in February and Kavjeng in March, before traveling to the Solomon Islands in May to prepare for the Marianas operation. In June, she bombarded Tinian, Saipan, and Guam, and helped drive off enemy air attacks and protect transport ships during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Following this she escorted transport ships to Eniwetok, and then returned to Guam, where she was engaged in blasting enemy installations until the end of July.

After an overhaul between August and October, she traveled to Leyte, arriving on November 22 to provide cover for supply and reinforcement convoys. On December 2 she left Leyte for the Palaus, providing anti-aircraft support as invasion troops went ashore on December 15.

The next operation for the USS New Mexico was providing support and bombardment at Luzon. She was hit by a kamikaze plane on January 6, 1945, a hit which killed her commanding officer and 29 other crew members. After repairs were carried out at Pearl Harbor, she traveled to Ulithi to prepare for the invasion of Okinawa. Between March 21 and April 17 her guns were firing almost constantly, as she provided anti-aircraft fire and support for troops landing on shore. On May 12 she was attacked by two kamikaze planes, which required a set of repairs at Leyte. She was at Saipan when news of the Japanese surrender arrived, and she sailed to Tokyo Bay in time to witness the official surrender on September 2.

The USS New Mexico received six battle stars for her World War II services.

After the War

The USS New Mexico left Tokyo Bay on September 6, and arrived in Boston on October 17. She was decommissioned on July 19, 1946 and scrapped on October 16, 1947.

One important thing to note about Navy ships such as the USS New Mexico is that these ships often contained a large amount of asbestos, particularly in insulation and fire-proofing materials. Exposure to asbestos while in service aboard Navy ships is unfortunately all-too-common. If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS New Mexico BB-40, 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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