New Jersey is the most decorated battleship in United States naval history. It received a combined total of 19 battle stars and campaign stars. Battle and campaign stars are awarded in recognition of participation in a battle or other military campaign.
The New Jersey was commissioned in 1943, during World War II (1939-1945). It is the second battleship in the U.S. Navy to have the name New Jersey. The first battleship New Jersey was commissioned in 1906, decommissioned in 1920, and sunk during military bomb tests in 1923.
The second battleship New Jersey displaced about 45,000 long tons of water. A long ton is equal to 2,240 pounds or 1.016 metric tons. Its weapons included nine 16-inch guns. The New Jersey was involved in many battles in Asia and the Pacific during World War II, and it served twice as flagship for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and once for the Third Fleet. The ship was decommissioned in 1948, but it was reactivated in 1950 for use in the Korean War (1950-1953). During this war, the New Jersey twice served as flagship for the Seventh Fleet. The ship was decommissioned in 1957.
The New Jersey briefly came out of retirement again in 1968 for the Vietnam War (1957-1976). At that time, it was the only active battleship in any of the world’s navies. As a result of cuts in the U.S. military budget, the New Jersey was decommissioned in 1969. The ship was recommissioned again in 1982. At the time, it was equipped with missiles and advanced radar and electronic communications and antiaircraft defense systems. It went on to serve in various support roles, including providing firepower during battles centered in Beirut, Lebanon, in the early 1980’s.
The ship was decommissioned in 1991. Since 2001, the New Jersey has served as a floating museum and memorial in Camden, New Jersey.
See also Battleship; Navy, United States; Warship.
