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Battleship USS Iowa Museum

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Battleship USS Iowa Museum, Los Angeles

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Battleship USS Iowa BB-61

Experience the incredible magic of history on a self-guided tour with your family aboard the Battle Ship Iowa. Parked dockside off the Pacific Ocean at the Los Angeles Waterfront, this old ship is an American icon with an important past. Ordered in 1939, and built in 1940, USS Iowa BB-61 comes from a prestigious line of a special class of ships. the USS Iowa BB-61 was the fourth and present ship of the Iowa line, and the first battleship conceived of a large class of battleships during its time. Naval architects and marines worked together in designing the massive battleship in the 1930s. Iowa class battleships have a long history beginning with the first Iowa- an 1864 gunship; Iowa class battleships were involved in every conflict from the Spanish American War, WWII, and conflicts up to and including participation in the first Gulf War.

USS Iowa BB-61 was first commissioned on February 22, 1943, the ship served the United States for nearly 50 years before retiring. Receiving the title of World’s Greatest Battleship, and also known as the Battleship of Presidents. The modern USS Iowa was to be respected for her remarkable size, technology, large guns, serious armor, impressive speed, and superior longevity and flexibility. This battleship has fought plenty of battles as it has been a part of every conflict since its first commission, it also has served Internationally for humanitarian efforts. An important battleship in WWII, she additionally served as a flagship carrying onboard the United States President Roosevelt in 1943. The USS Iowa BB-61 is the only naval ship on record to have ever had a bathtub installed for a President’s convenience. More than any other battleship in United States History, USS Iowa has served many times as a Presidential host. The career of the USS Iowa-BB61 ended shortly after a tragic incident during a time of post-war peace. April 19, 1989, during a routine training exercise 47 naval sailors were killed by an explosion from Turret 2 Gunroom. The USS Iowa was decommissioned in 1990, and in 2001 began its journey to the Pacific undergoing much-needed restoration before finally opening in 2012 as a floating Museum at its permanent home at the Los Angeles Port.

The floating Museum USS Iowa BB-61 has earned many impressive awards for its military service. USS Iowa still serves the United States, offering an authentic and intimate glimpse into American History, provoking a very engaging educational experience as you tour the massive 45,000ton battleship. As you take a tour aboard the USS Iowa, the ship’s generous history exhibits will stimulate the mind, highlighting what life at sea was like aboard this ship for more than 70 years. You will even be able to see the original bathtub that was specially built for President Roosevelt. Throughout your tour, you can enjoy having your picture taken to remember your visit. Finally, this historical battleship Museum features a wonderful gift shop at the end of your tour with some fascinating and unique gifts that you won’t find anywhere else. The USS Iowa regularly hosts community events, and you can even rent it for receptions, weddings, or other special events. If you are visiting the Los Angeles area, you must go aboard the famous battleship for a spectacular adventure for everyone.

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Insider’s Guide to The Battleship USS Iowa Museum

Located near Long Beach on the Los Angeles waterfront, the Battleship USS Iowa Museum is a must-visit attraction for those interested in maritime history.

This West Coast battleship, the only one open to the public, boasts a rich history and has hosted three US Presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. Visitors can walk the wood decks and explore areas such as the 16” guns, missile decks, and the famous Captain’s Cabin. The museum's newest attraction, Battleship Flight – A Naval Aviation Experience, offers guests an up-close view of a Korean War-era Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever Helicopter and a simulated ride in a Motion Flight Theater.

Tours & Exhibits

The USS Iowa Museum offers daily public tours from 10 AM to 4 PM and welcomes visitors onboard with an admission fee of $25.95.

TIP: Check for more information and order tickets on the USS Iowa Museum's website as prices for tours and exhibits are subject to change.

The USS Iowa offers four specialized tours for visitors: The Presidents Tour which delves into FDR's secret mission aboard the Iowa, the Guided Tour which offers a more personalized experience, the Gun Tour which takes visitors on a behind-the-scenes journey through the ship's levels and offers a view of the 16-inch guns, and the Engineering Tour which takes visitors below deck to explore most innovative warship of WWII and see the areas of .the anchor windless room, engine room, boiler room, after-steering, and several support facilities that keep the ship moving. All tours require a General Access Pass purchase, and must be booked in advance with tour times reserved prior to the planned arrival date.

The USS Iowa Museum features a variety of fascinating exhibits that explore different aspects of naval history and culture. Visitors can discover the diversity, leadership, and bravery of naval soldiers in the Surface Navy Heroes exhibit, or participate in a fun interactive scavenger hunt to find the museum's mascot, Victory "Vicky" the dog. Other exhibits include the Battleship of Presidents, which explores the history of the USS Iowa and the leaders who have been hosted aboard since 1943, and the Surface Ships exhibit, which takes visitors on a journey through time to explore the surface ships of the Navy over the decades.

Additionally, visitors can view the Korean War-era Piasecki HUP retriever helicopter up close, and learn more about the captivating mysteries and the human impact that surround shipwrecks found by Dr. Bob Ballard in the Lost at Sea exhibit. Finally, the Artifact Gallery offers a chance to see a wide variety of items on display, from photographs and books to uniforms and rifles. These exhibits and more are included in admission and many can be explored in person as well as online.

Bars & Restaurants

Vicky’s doghouse cafe.

Vicky’s Doghouse Cafe is a gourmet hotdog kitchen on the fantail of the Battleship IOWA. This eatery serves up classic American fare such as hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, and sides. Guests can dine indoors or outside on the ship's deck with scenic views of the harbor. Vicky’s Doghouse is open daily from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and does not require admission to the museum ship.

Veterans Resource Center

The USS IOWA is not just a museum, but a community platform that fosters camaraderie and support for veterans and civilians alike. Its veterans programs focus on honor, community, and prosperity, and the ship hosts various military ceremonies, retirements, and volunteer service days throughout the year. For more information on hosting an event on board the IOWA, please contact [email protected].

Weddings, Meetings & Private Events

Organize a group outing, tour or reserve space on board for your special event.

The USS Iowa Battleship is available for private events such as weddings, corporate events, and other social events. The ship offers a variety of event spaces, including the Admiral's Cabin, Captain's Quarters, Wardroom, Flight Deck and several other decks and outdoor areas. The ship can accommodate groups of up to 1,500 people and offers a range of catering options. Event organizers can also arrange for guided tours of the ship and access to special exhibits.

The museum offers in-house rentals for events, including 72" round tables, cocktail tables, folding chairs, folding chair covers, an expanded stage, and audio/visual equipment. Vicky's Cafe provides catering and beverage options for small to mid-level events. Event hosts can also bring their own caterer if they prefer. The Battleship IOWA offers VIP tours and exclusive tour guides, as well as a ship's store where guests can purchase souvenirs. During its time as an active Navy vessel, the Battleship IOWA was the spot where sailors could purchase official IOWA stationery for letters home, IOWA ball caps, and new dungarees. Today the ship’s store is an exciting source for all things IOWA! You can arrange a gift package for your meeting attendees or event guests from among the many affordable souvenirs.

The USS Iowa (BB-61) is a retired battleship that was commissioned in 1943 and has a storied history that includes serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. The ship is known for its size, firepower, and technological advancements, including the use of radar and the ability to launch aircraft. The ship was decommissioned in 1990 and later turned into a museum that is open to the public.

During World War II, the USS Iowa played a crucial role in battles in the Pacific, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Battle of Okinawa. The ship was then decommissioned in 1949 but recommissioned in 1951 for the Korean War, where it provided gunfire support for ground troops and patrolled the Korean coastline. In the 1980s, the ship was modernized and deployed in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War.

In 2011, the USS Iowa battleship was donated to the Pacific Battleship Center, a non-profit organization in Los Angeles, by the United States Navy. The ship was relocated from the Maritime Reserve Fleet in Suisun Bay, California, to the Port of Richmond and then to the Port of Los Angeles. The Battleship IOWA Museum officially opened to the public on July 4, 2012. Since its opening, the battleship has welcomed millions of visitors and has become a top five museum in the Los Angeles area. The center's mission has evolved to serve the community, providing various education, military, veteran, and community programs.

Today, the USS Iowa battleship is a popular museum ship located at the Los Angeles Waterfront. Visitors can explore the ship's decks and compartments, learning about the ship's history through interactive exhibits and guided tours. Some notable areas of the ship that visitors can explore include the 16-inch guns, missile decks, bridge, mess areas, and the Captain's Cabin, which includes the only bathtub installed on a battleship for a president.

For updates on museum happenings, events, and community initiatives visit the official Battleship Iowa Facebook , Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Fun Facts About the Battleship USS Iowa

• The USS Iowa is 887 feet and 3 inches long, about three football fields in length.
• The battleship weighs 45,000 tons and has a maximum speed of 33 knots, or approximately 38 mph.
• USS Iowa is one of the largest battleships ever built by the United States.
• At one point, the ship's crew consisted of 2,800 men, including 87 officers and 2,713 enlisted personnel.
• USS Iowa was armed with nine 16-inch guns, 20 five-inch guns, 80 40mm anti-aircraft guns, and 49 20mm anti-aircraft guns.
• USS Iowa was the first ship in her class and was followed by three other battleships: USS New Jersey, USS Missouri, and USS Wisconsin.
• The ship received nine battle stars for her service in World War II and two for her service in the Korean War.
• The USS Iowa is the only ship in its class to have a bathtub installed for the comfort of a US President. The bathtub was installed for Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II.
• The ship's 16-inch guns could fire shells that weighed as much as a small car and had a range of 24 miles.

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USS IOWA (BB61) - Battleship of the U.S.Navy

Battleship IOWA (BB61)

Ordered:1 July 1939 Builder:New York Naval Yard Laid down:27 June 1940 Launched:27 August 1942 Sponsored by:Ilo Wallace Commissioned:22 February 1943 Decommissioned:24 March 1949 Recommissioned:25 August 1951 Decommissioned:24 February 1958 Recommissioned:28 April 1984 Decommissioned:26 October 1990 Homeport:Norfolk, Virginia (after 1980s refit) Fate:Museum ship Status:On display at the Pacific Battleship Center at the Port of Los Angeles

Battleship USS Iowa: Los Angeles Museum and Tour

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Gallery: ars tours the battleship uss iowa (bb-61), ars' resident former iowa crewmember gets to revisit his old ship's less-visited corners..

Sean Gallagher - Nov 11, 2016 5:25 pm UTC

A few months ago, as I was planning to head out to California for Microsoft's Build developer conference in San Francisco, I decided I needed to stretch the trip a bit further to the south—down to the Port of Los Angeles to visit the Pacific Battleship Center , the home of the battleship USS Iowa.

I served on the Iowa for two years in the late 1980s, and that experience was life-changing. But I had not had a chance to see the ship in over 26 years—my last visit had been in late April of 1989, weeks after an explosion in the ship's second 16-inch gun turret took the lives of 47 men. Many of those who died had worked in my division aboard Iowa; others had been colleagues and friends.

So nearly 26 years to the day after I last visited the Iowa, I stepped aboard with my wife and daughter in tow, escorted by James Pobog—a former Navy boiler tech and the "deck boss" of the Pacific Battleship Center's volunteer Iowa crew. It was a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon, making it not so ideal for photos, and some of the places I had on my list to visit were not the most photogenic and well-lit spaces aboard Iowa. But the second the smell of the ship below deck hit me—the mix of a thousand different lubricant and paint fumes, and god knows what else lingering in the spaces of a 72-year old battleship—memories started flooding back.

Further Reading

And sure, it could reliably hit targets over 25 miles away with explosive shells that had the same mass as a VW Bug.

I've pulled together some of the photos from my visit with other photos from my Iowa archives—some of them digital versions pulled from the National Archives' online collection of photos I have only in bound, printed "cruise books."

I'd be happy to take your questions about the ship and the cutting edge of World War II and Cold War technology. Fire away in the comments below, or e-mail me.

• Probably the best tour Ars ever took—IT Editor and ex-Navy man Sean Gallagher revisiting his old ship. Here's turret one and two of the USS Iowa , triple 16-inch 50 caliber main guns. A third turret sits aft of the superstructure. The turrets individually weigh more than a World War II destroyer. Sean Gallagher
• Just for scale, here are the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders performing under Turret 1 on December 31, 1987 in the Gulf of Oman. I was on the bridge above, trying to avoid a collision with a fishing boat. US Navy
• Two rounds fired from Turret 1 and 2—you can see them in the upper right of the photo—during a gunnery exercise in the Mediterranean. US Navy
• High explosive shells being loaded aboard Iowa before our deployment at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. The shells weighed between 1,900 and 2,200 pounds, depending on purpose. US Navy
• An archive photo of one of the Iowa's shell decks in a 16-inch 50-caliber turret. Like a giant revolver magazine, it moved shells into position to be hoisted to the gun rooms... US Navy
• ...and then rammed forward into the breech. Shown here, the 1,000th round to be fired by Iowa in its 1984 recommissioning—fired in 1986. Round 2,000 was fired just before Christmas of 1987. US Navy
• The big guns were hardly the only punch the Iowa carried. From left to right: Harpoon missile canisters, the Phalanx close-in weapons system (CIWS) with the R2-D2 radome, Tomahawk cruise missile armored box launchers above, and six dual 5-inch gun mounts. The one in foreground was manned by the ship's Marine Detachment. Oh, and the captain's gig.
• In a photo taken for the '87-'88 "cruise book", Mount 51 captain GM3 Scott Leach, pointer GMSN Seaman Darrin Seiger, and mount trainer GMSN Joseph Dobbins pose with one of the mount's dual Mark 28 five-inch/38 caliber guns. Mount 51 was forwardmost in the last photo. US Navy
• Those two gray boxes above the captain's gig and to the right of the R2-D2 radar dome of the CIWS. and the one just to the left of the second stack, are the Iowa's armored box launchers. They carried Tomahawk cruise missiles. I can neither confirm nor deny whether any were nukes.
• A photo from 1987 shows one of the Tomahawk Mk. 143 armored missile boxes opened with Marine guards posted as new missiles are loaded.
• Above Turret 3, one of the ship's four Mk 37 gun directors for the 5-inch mounts, and one of its two Mk 38 gun directors for the 16-inch turrets. The barrel radar on the Mk 38 was very distinctive—especially to the electronic sensors on Soviet ships it locked onto. At right, another one of Iowa's Tomahawk launchers is visible.
• The rest of the fire control system—and almost all of the critical systems of the ship—were far below beneath Iowa's second deck in the "citadel"—an armored shoe box that spanned between Turret 2 and Turret 3. Sean Gallagher
• Broadway, a long passageway running the length of the citadel, hangs from the armored deck above the engineering spaces below. The rail system could be used to move heavy equipment (or even shells) from one end of the ship to the other. P. Gallagher
• At the forward end of Broadway is Iowa's primary and secondary gun plot rooms, home to the apex of analog computing technology.
• The Ford Instrument Mark 1 Computer controlled the ship's 5-inch guns, while the Ford Mk. 8 Rangekeeper controlled the main battery of 16-inch guns.
• These barrel switches selected which fire control directors and which guns were in the Mark 1's input and output channels.
• The display of the Mark 1's Star Shell Computer, which calculated the trajectory required to put an illumination round in just the right spot over a target.
• The solution was passed to a fuze-setter in the turret through this barrel switch.
• The power panel for the Mark 1.
• The analog display of the Mark 1.
• The only nod to electronics—the interface to the fire control radar on the directors.
• Fuses for the servos that provided the electromechanical linkage between the computer and the guns.
• The Stable Element, which also gave the plot room control over the battery of 5-inch guns.
• The Mark 8 Rangekeeper, the fire control computer for the big guns.
• My wife caught me hand-splaining how the stable element works to our tour guide through a portal in the wall between primary and secondary plot.
• CIC as it looks today. All that's left is the grease boards, the squawk box, and the dead reckoning table.
• In 1987, the CIC was home to bleeding-edge tactical displays like this SPS-45 radar repeater.
• While we used the squawk box to talk to the bridge under normal operations, much of the ship's communications was over sound-powered phone circuits, like this one worn by an Iowa sailor in the aft repair locker. US Navy
• Speaking of repair lockers, these Tomahawk fire alarm panels are in Damage Control Central, just a few spaces away from CIC. You really didn't want one of these to go off, what with the cruise missiles possibly carrying nuclear warheads.
• More alarm panels in Damage Control Central for other things that might explode: the sprinkler systems for the Harpoon, CIWS, and various other things with magazines full of bullets and missiles and such.
• Down below in Engine Room 2, these are the main reduction gears for Iowa's second 600-psi steam turbine engine. It's basically a 53,000 shaft horsepower transmission. Iowa has four. Do the math.
• All those locks were (and are) to keep people from dropping things into the reduction gears, which would be very bad. Reduction gears were so expensive that those on some ships were actually leased by the Navy instead of owned outright.
• The engine room's control panel, where orders from the bridge were turned into turns of the shaft.
• In layman's terms. this sign means, "Disengage the parking break before driving or you will all die."
• Me, standing under the blower I hogged on the handful of watches I stood in engineering. Headroom? What's headroom?
• A small part of the crew art that decorated much of the ship, here on the main generator in Engine Room 2.
• Back up above the armored deck: a passageway into X Division's berthing compartment.
• The spacious enlisted berthing compartments of the Iowa were a vast improvement over the way sailors were stacked five high in hammocks during World War II. Sort of. Chris Nelson, USS Iowa volunteer
• Command Master Chief BMCM Bobby Scott's stateroom had a bit more room. Scott, who retired from the Navy in September of 1992, died just a month later in a freak accident; his wife donated many of his personal effects from Iowa to the Pacific Battleship Center.
• Me, standing in what was once the stateroom I shared with fellow junior officer Carl Cusaac. He later made captain in the reserves.
• I developed a stoop on this ship, for obvious reasons.
• Hand-stamped into a work bench in the ship's machine shop is this roll call of machinists' mates who worked in the space when the Iowa sailed into Tokyo Bay for Japan's surrender in World War II. Sean Gallagher
• Hand-stamped into a work bench in the ship's machine shop is this roll call of machinists' mates who worked in the space when the Iowa sailed into Tokyo Bay for Japan's surrender in World War II.
• Iowa had a very busy machine shop, keeping up everything that broke—including a separate motor rewind shop. In this photo from the 1987-88 deployment, Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Bruce A. Bunnell performs a motor rewind on one of the high-pressure air compressor motors used in the recoil system of the 16-inch guns.
• An informational sign by the mess line lists some of the numbers of feeding a crew of 2,500 people, the Iowa's World War II manning. It was cut substantially in the 1980s with the elimination of the flak guns.
• My wife and daughter were fascinated by the ship's bakery—the home of the infamous battlechip cookie.
• Up on the 04 level, the armored pilothouse within the bridge. It contains the ship's helm and engine order telegraph, and a "captain's periscope"—something I never saw a captain use.
• The 17-inch armor plate surrounding the pilothouse was designed to take a direct hit from an opposing warship's big guns. There were no guarantees that anyone inside would survive the shockwave, however.
• My daughter takes command in the captain's chair on the Iowa's bridge.
• A 1980s era encrypted radio phone receiver on the bridge. I believe the crypto keys have expired.

Listing image by Sean Gallagher

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USS Iowa (BB-61)

Step into History at USS Iowa (BB-61)

The USS Iowa Museum is an interactive museum located in the historic Port of Los Angeles, California. It offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the history and legacy of the USS Iowa, a United States Navy battleship that served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Persian Gulf. Visitors can explore all aspects of the ship's past from its construction to its modern-day preservation efforts. Exhibits include artifacts from the ship's time in service, such as photographs, uniforms, weapons and tools used by crew members on board. Tour guides provide fascinating insight into various aspects of life aboard the vessel and help visitors learn about its role in different wars. In addition to exhibits on naval history, guests can find interactive experiences throughout the museum that bring to life how sailors lived on board the USS Iowa. The museum also boasts large-scale models showing off every detail of this impressive battleship during its heydey. With small theatre presentations detailing key moments in U.S navy history as well as guided tours through the restored vessel, the USS Iowa Museum offers a unique opportunity for those interested in learning more about our nation’s naval heritage.

USS Iowa (BB-61) does not have any events listed here. If you would like to add one contact us .

Last Updated On: 1/16/2023 12:02:49 PM Last Updated By: Milsurpia Admin

The Pacific Battleship Center is honored and privileged to be entrusted by the United States Navy to bring USS IOWA (BB-61) back to life! Our mission is simple: Honor the world’s best and last available battleship and those who served aboard her for the educational benefits of those who visit it.

Battleship Iowa Statistics Timeline

USS IOWA (BB 61) springs from a distinguished line of namesakes. The first IOWA, a 3,200-ton gunboat, dates back to 1864. The second, an 11,000 tonner, fired the first shot at Santiago Bay in the Spanish-American War and took the Spanish Admiral prisoner. Construction of the third IOWA was canceled under the terms of the Washington Treaty. The present IOWA was conceived as the first of the 45,000-ton class of battleships on the drawing boards of the nation’s marine and naval architects in the late 1930s.

The famed battleship, USS IOWA, was ordered on July 1, 1939, commissioned on Feb. 22, 1943, and served our country for almost 50 years. She was designated the “World’s Greatest Naval Ship” because of her big guns, heavy armor, fast speed, longevity and modernization flexibility, which allowed her to keep pace with technology.

The Battleship of Presidents

The USS Iowa Through the Years

by Patrick Boberg

Launched in 1942, the USS Iowa BB-61 has a storied history across several wars and stands today as the centerpiece of the National Museum of the Surface Navy. Take a look at this battleship from its original build to where it stands today, and tune in to the premiere of the USS Iowa documentary March 1 at 6:30 p.m.

USS Iowa Build

Launched in 1942, USS Iowa BB-61 was built in response to the dissolution of the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty by Japan. Signed in 1922, the treaty held England, France, Italy, Japan, and the United States from building capital warships, such as battleships greater than 35,000 tons. Once Japan formally broke the treaty in 1934, the United States Navy decided to build the fastest, most technologically advanced battleship on the planet - the Iowa class of battleships. The 16-inch guns on the Iowa class were the largest guns ever placed on a US warship.

World War II and Korean War

USS Iowa BB-61 was the lead ship of the Iowa class of battleships, secretly transporting President Roosevelt to Africa to finalize plans for the D-Day invasion of France. It was the only battleship of the class to serve in the Atlantic during World War II and was routinely the flagship of the Navy throughout its time in the Pacific theater. During the Korean War, Iowa was only in service for seven months of combat and yet fired more 16-inch and 5-inch rounds in that period than its entire two-plus years of service in World War II. Her service with President Roosevelt earned her the nickname the "Battleship of Presidents."

In the 1980s, the USS Iowa BB-61 didn't engage in combat but was instead used for training, naval show of force, humanitarian aid, and as a symbol of US power and peaceful efforts. When she was recommissioned, modern Harpoon and Cruise missiles were added to her armament as well as Phalanx automatic gatling guns. In 1986 President Reagan, along with First Lady Nancy Reagan, boarded USS Iowa for an international celebration of the refurbished State of Liberty, making her once more the Battleship of Presidents. Infamously, the 1980s ended tragically for the USS Iowa and her crew when on April 19, 1989 an open breach explosion occurred inside turret two. Forty-seven USS Iowa sailors lost their lives in the incident for which the Navy was never able to find a cause.

Battleship USS Iowa Museum

Since 2012, the USS Iowa has been permanently berthed in San Pedro, California as the Battleship USS Iowa Museum. Iowans who visit the ship and show a valid Iowa driver's license can board the ship free of charge. The ship is continually evolving, opening new sections of the ship for tour. As of 2019, USS Iowa has become the centerpiece of the National Museum of the Surface Navy. 

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The epic history of the uss iowa (bb-61): leader of all iowa-class battleships.

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The USS Iowa (BB-61) wasn’t just an elite battleship – she was also the leader of all Iowa -class vessels. Designed with speed in mind, her construction was ordered at the start of the Second World War to escort the Fast Carrier Task Force operating in the Pacific Theater. Iowa not only survived the conflict, but went on to witness the rapidly changing landscape of global conflict that continued well into the 1980s.

The USS Iowa  and President Franklin D. Roosevelt

The USS Iowa was ordered in July 1939 and laid down at the New York Naval Shipyard the following year. She was commissioned on February 22, 1943, with Capt. John L. McCrea at the helm. McCrea was a naval aid for President Franklin D. Roosevelt , who was escorted to Morocco for the Casablanca Conference aboard the battleship. In anticipation of the trip, a custom bathtub was added to Roosevelt’s quarters.

Iowa returned to the United States on December 16, 1943, with Roosevelt saying of her crew , “From all I have seen and all I have heard, the Iowa is a ‘happy ship,’ and having served with the Navy for many years, I know – and you know – what that means.” He concluded his address with, “Good luck, and remember that I am with you in spirit, each and every one of you.”

The USS Iowa was a major asset in the Pacific Theater

Upon her launch, the USS Iowa was among the most heavily-armed in the US Navy’s fleet. Her main battery featured nine 16-inch .50-caliber Mk 7 naval guns, while her second included 20 Mk 12 five-inch .38-caliber guns in twin mounts. To ensure she was protected against attacks from the air, the battleship was also fitted with Bofors 40 mm and Oerlikon 20 mm anti-aircraft guns.

Iowa departed for the Pacific in early January 1944 as the flagship of Battleship Division 7 (BatDiv 7). She was to participate in the Marshall Islands Campaign – her combat debut. Arriving on January 29, she supported carrier air strikes made by decorated Adm. Frederick C. Sherman’s Task Group 58.3 (TG 58.3).

While on another assignment aiding in strikes against the Japanese naval base at Truk, in the Caroline Islands, Iowa and her sister ship, the USS New Jersey (BB-62), sank the Japanese light cruiser Katori.

Over the next several months, the battleship provided support for assaults against locations throughout the Pacific during the Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign . Under the command of Adm. Chester Nimitz , the offensive was launched to destroy Japanese bases in the area and provide support for the forces struggling to retake the Philippines.

Iowa also played a large role in the Battle of the Philippine Sea on June 19, 1944, helping repel four massive air raids launched by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). She destroyed three enemy aircraft, aiding in the near-complete destruction of carrier-based enemy air forces.

Bombardment of Japan

After several more engagements in the South Pacific, the USS Iowa traveled to Okinawa to relieve the USS New Jersey and support carrier operations in the area. This was one of many bombardment campaigns that took place throughout the Japanese islands as part of the American plan to occupy the country, in the hopes of surrender.

On August 29, Iowa and her sister ship, the USS Missouri (BB-63), entered Tokyo Bay, where a number of soldiers were temporarily transferred aboard her while the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed . She then aided in Operation Magic Carpet , receiving American soldiers and liberated prisoners of war (POWs), and returning them home.

Iowa briefly returned to Japan as the flagship of the US Fifth Fleet, before resuming her role as a training ship. She participated in Operation Crossroads , the atomic tests in Bikini Atoll, carrying out a live fire attack on the USS Nevada (BB-36).

Iowa was deactivated in 1949, before being reactivated in 1951, a year into the Korean War . She delivered heavy artillery aid throughout the conflict, and engaged in 43 gun strikes on targets in Wŏnsan, Sŏngjin, Kojo, Chaho, Toejo, Simpo, Hŭngnam and Inchon. The battleship fired over 16,600 rounds during these operations, making her eligible for the UN Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal with one bronze star.

40 years later, the USS Iowa remains top-of-the-line

Following the Korean War, the USS Iowa participated in NATO exercises, before being decommissioned in 1958. Nearly 25 years later, she was reactivated and refitted as part of President Ronald Reagan ‘s effort to create a 600-ship Navy. Her anti-aircraft guns were removed, as well as two five-inch gun mounts.

Iowa’ s weapons were updated to the most advanced systems available at the time. Alongside upgraded radar and fire-control systems, four Mk 141 quad cell launchers with 16 AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, eight Armored Box Launcher mounts with 32 BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles and four Phalanx Close-in weapon system Gatling guns were added. Iowa was also the first battleship to receive the RQ-2 Pioneer Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

Throughout the early-to-mid-1980s, the vessel was used in training and NATO exercises, before being called to assist Kuwaiti ports and tankers as they navigated the precarious area around the Iran-Iraq border during the First Gulf War .

A mysterious explosion claims 47 lives

Tragically, during a gunnery exercise on April 19, 1989, an explosion rocked the USS Iowa , ripping through the Number Two 16-inch gun turret. Forty-seven crewmen were killed in the incident, which was originally believed to have been planned by a deceased crew member, Gunner’s Mate Second Class Clayton Hartwig. He was thought to have detonated an explosive device during an attempt to take his own life, following the end of an alleged affair with another sailor.

The presence of unexplained material found inside the turret and Hartwig’s alleged unstable mental state supported this theory. Under increasing criticism, the US Congress reopened the investigation in 1991 and found evidence pointing to an accidental powder explosion, instead of a deliberate attack.

More from us: Battleship Row: The Nine American Vessels Targeted During the Attack on Pearl Harbor

Iowa was decommissioned for the last time in 1990 and has since opened to the public as a museum ship, located at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, Los Angeles.

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USA - BB-61 USS Iowa Booklet of General Plans (1984)

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Iowa DCI investigating death at western Iowa jail

T he Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the death of a 61-year-old man in custody in a western Iowa county jail.

Officers with the Denison Police Department arrested the man around 7:30 p.m. Sunday for public intoxication. The man was booked into the Crawford County Jail and placed in a lone jail cell.

According to a release from the DCI, Crawford County Jail staff were conducting a scheduled welfare check on the man around 9 a.m. Monday morning, when they found him unresponsive. Jail staff, sheriff's deputies and emergency medical services performed CPR and the man was transported to the Crawford County Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The DCI says a family member identified the man as Abraham Gatwech Ngor, of Denison. An autopsy will be conducted by the state medical examiner.

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office called the DCI in to investigate. No further details are being released at this time.

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