USS New Jersey

To assemble ships representing the Navy in all its major conflicts, no site is better than the Delaware River, because it hosts the USS New Jersey, the only battleship to fight in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as the Cold War and the Middle East.

The New Jersey represents the culmination of battleship design. She is the longest and fastest battleship ever.

The New Jersey steamed further, fought in more battles, and fired more shells than any other battleship in history. She was in commission longer than than any other Navy battleship. She is the most decorated battleship in American history, the second-most decorated Navy ship ever, and the most decorated Navy ship afloat.

The New Jersey was launched at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, protected the Atlantic Coast from the Nazi navy, and led the Pacific Fleet. She was the only ship to serve as the flagship of America’s two great fighting admirals in World War II, Admiral Spruance and Admiral Halsey. She was Spruance’s flagship for the crushing of Truk, Imperial Japan’s “Gibraltar of the Pacific,” and served in the largest carrier battle ever, the Battle of the Philippine Sea. She was Halsey’s flagship in the largest battle at sea in history, the Battle for Leyte Gulf, which destroyed the Imperial Japanese Navy. After World War II, her massive 16” and many 5” guns provided fire support in Korea, Vietnam, and Lebanon. New Jersey was modernized for the missile age, and helped bring an end to the Cold War. She serves today as the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Camden and will be a dramatic centerpiece of the 250th Navy and Marine Corps celebrations.

Pictured Above: USS New Jersey as the Flagship of the Pacific Fleet in World War II, Supporting Our Troops in Korea, Vietnam, and Lebanon, and Helping the Navy Enter the Missile Age in the Cold War.

Credit for all images: Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial