Wisconsin is a historic United States Navy battleship. It was launched in 1943, during World War II (1939-1945). USS Wisconsin (BB-64) was one of the fastest and most powerful American battleships ever built. USS stands for United States Ship . BB was the Naval designation for a battleship. Wisconsin—sometimes called “Big Wisky”—was one of the last U.S. Navy battleships ever built. It was the final Iowa-class battleship, following Iowa, New Jersey, and Missouri.
Wisconsin joined the World War II campaign against Japan in late 1944. The ship provided gunfire support during the U.S. invasions of the Philippines, Iwo Jima (now Iwo To), and Okinawa. In July and August 1945, Wisconsin participated in attacks along the shores of the Japanese islands of Hokkaido and Honshu. The Japanese formally surrendered on September 2, ending the war.
Wisconsin again saw action during the Korean War (1950-1953), supporting United Nations forces at Incheon (also called Inchon). It bombarded enemy targets at a number of locations, including Kansong, Kosong, Wonsan, Songjin (now called Kimchaek), and Kojo, near Tongchon.
Wisconsin was decommissioned (retired) in March 1958. But in 1988, the Navy modernized the ship and recommissioned it with new missile and gun systems. Wisconsin shelled Iraqi targets during the Persian Gulf War of 1991.
Wisconsin was decommissioned for the final time on Sept. 30, 1991. The battleship received five battle stars for service during World War II and one for service during the Korean War. A battle star is awarded for a ship’s participation in a battle or military campaign. In 2001, Wisconsin opened as a museum and memorial at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum in Norfolk, Virginia. Nauticus, a science and technology center, assumed control of Wisconsin in 2009.
See also Battleship ; Iowa ; Missouri ; New Jersey ; World War II (The war in Asia and the Pacific) .
