|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

USS Wisconsin BB-64

The USS Wisconsin BB-64 was nicknamed the ‘Wisky'. Its keel was laid in January of 1941 and it was launched from the Philadelphia naval Shipyard in Pennsylvania in December of 1943. It's an Iowa class battleship, and the second ship to be named for the state.

She was loaded with a large number and variety of weapons to allow her to deal with enemy forces. When she was launched in 1943, she had nine 16 inch fifty caliber Mark 7 guns, twenty 5 inch 38 caliber Mark 12 guns, eighty 40mm 56 caliber anti-aircraft guns and 49 20mm 70 caliber anti-aircraft guns. She was updated in 1983 to carry the same nine 16 inch fifty caliber Mark 7 guns, twelve 5 inch 38 caliber Mark 12 guns, 32 BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles, sixteen RGM-84 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and four 20mm 76 caliber Phalanx CIWS. She weighed in at 45,000 tons. Her length measured 887.2 foot and her width was 108.2 foot. She carried 1,921 officers and enlisted. In 1983 she also had a few different systems added to her to enhance her technology.

In December of 1944, after performing shakedown and training exercises, she joined the Third Fleet in the Caroline Islands. Since it took so long to get her built, the Wisconsin had missed a large part of the thrust against Japanese forces. The battleship was assigned to protect a carrier fleet running air raids against Manila. In the middle of the month the Task Force found themselves under attack, not by enemy forces, but by Mother Nature. A typhoon swept over the ships as they were attempting to refuel. Three destroyers were capsized by the weather and sank with nearly all hands on board. Three other destroyers, along with five aircraft carriers and a cruiser were seriously damaged. Around 790 men were lost and another eighty suffered injury, plus about 146 planes were damaged beyond repair or washed overboard. The Wisconsin was fortunate in that only two sailors were injured.

After recovering from the storm, the Wisconsin was ordered to escort and protect carriers as they carried out strikes against Luzon, Formosa and the Nansei Shoto. They also dipped into the South China Sea in an effort to draw out enemy forces. Throughout January, 1945, the battleship continued to protect the carriers as the launched attacks against a wide variety of targets. They inflicted damage on aircraft facilities, docks, storage areas and even Canton oil refineries and the Hong Kong Naval Shipyard.

In February the carriers moved toward Tokyo. Inclement weather was on the Navy's side this time, as the group was able to completely surprise the Japanese. The ships were able to shoot down 322 enemy aircraft and destroy another 177 still on the ground. They also inflicted heavy damage on Japanese shipping and airstrips. For the rest of the February, the group of ships bounced between Iwo Jima and Tokyo, destroying large numbers of the enemy's forces. Throughout March and into April, the Wisconsin protected the carriers as their attack planes continued to take out enemy installations on several different islands. The Kamikaze pilots were getting desperate, but the Wisconsin was able to protect most of the ship under her care.

Another Typhoon struck at the beginning of June. Once again, the Wisconsin was undamaged, but two carriers, three cruisers and a destroyer suffered serious damage. The middle of June found the Wisconsin in the Leyte Gulf, where she had some minor repairs done and was able to take on supplies. Over the next few months, Allied forces made their way closer and closer to the Japanese homeland. By the end of July, the Navy was able to attack targets on the Japanese home island at will. The Japanese finally surrendered in September of 1945 and the Wisconsin sailed into Tokyo bay as part of the occupying force.

The Wisconsin spent the next three years patrolling various areas of the world's oceans and taking part in a large number of training missions. In 1948 she was put into storage, but didn't stay there too long. In 1951 she was pulled out of storage and recommissioned to take part in the Korean War. Her service was once again stellar during this conflict and she inflicted heavy damage against enemy forces. She was once again put into storage in March of 1958.

In the 1980s she was once again pulled out of storage and given extensive upgrades. The Wisconsin took part in another extensive round of training missions and battle practices. With the beginning of the Gulf War in 1990, she saw battle one more time. Her updated armaments took out Iraqi airplanes, vehicles, ships, installations, supply depots, etc.

The Wisconsin earned five Battle Stars for her service in World War II and one for her service in the Korean War. She also received the Combat Action Ribbon and Navy Unit Commendation for actions in the Korean War and Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Currently, the battleship is designated as a museum ship and is located at Nauticus, The National Maritime Center in Norfolk, Virginia. She is awaiting a more permanent home.

One concern has arisen about sailors who worked aboard many of the ships used up until the mid 1970s. They all had asbestos added to them as an insulating material. It takes anywhere from fifteen to fifty years for the damage caused by the exposure to asbestos to manifest. There are two primary asbestos related diseases. One is called asbestosis and is a result of severe scarring in the lungs. The other is called mesothelioma and is a cancer that affects the lining that covers and protects most of the vital organs in the body. If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Wisconsin BB-64, 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

Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone Number:

Email:

Diagnosis:

Select... Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Asbestosis Severe Asbestosis Unknown

Comments:

Show Your Support

Free Wristbands
Get an Asbestos Awareness Wristband. Read More

VA Claim Help

Support Book

Cancer Support Book
Get a Free Copy of Lean on Me - Cancer Through a Carer's Eyes. Read More

In Your Area

Asbestos Exposure
Learn about asbestos exposure and legal options in your area. Read More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: Verify Here.