About this Unit
The USS Missouri (BB-63), an Iowa-class battleship, was commissioned into the United States Navy on June 11, 1944. She played a significant role in World War II, providing fire support during the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and famously served as the site of Japan’s formal surrender on September 2, 1945, ending the war. The "Mighty Mo" later saw action during the Korean War, delivering naval gunfire in support of UN forces. After being decommissioned and reactivated, she participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 before her final decommissioning in 1992.
Historical Facts
• World War II Service: USS Missouri (BB-63) is a famous Iowa-class battleship that served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, providing crucial fire support during the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
• Surrender of Japan: Missouri is best known as the site where the official surrender of Imperial Japan was signed on September 2, 1945, ending World War II. General Douglas MacArthur and representatives from nine Allied nations were present.
• Presidential Connection: The ship was christened by Margaret Truman, daughter of then-Senator Harry S. Truman from Missouri, who would later become President.
• Korean War Service: USS Missouri was recommissioned for the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for United Nations forces along the Korean Peninsula’s coastlines.
• Operation Desert Storm: Missouri was reactivated and modernized in the 1980s and participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, firing Tomahawk missiles and her massive 16-inch guns at Iraqi targets.
• Survived Kamikaze Attack: On April 11, 1945, a Japanese kamikaze plane struck Missouri. The crew suffered no fatalities, and the ship sustained only minor damage. The crew honored the dead pilot with a military burial at sea.
• Longest Iowa-Class Service: Missouri was the last battleship commissioned by the United States and was in service during three major conflicts: WWII, the Korean War, and the Gulf War.
• Decommissioning and Museum Ship: Missouri was decommissioned for the final time in 1992 and is now a museum ship at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, moored near the USS Arizona Memorial.
• Nickname: USS Missouri is affectionately called “Mighty Mo” by her crew and admirers.
• Hollywood Appearances: The battleship has appeared in several films, most notably as the setting for the 1992 action movie Under Siege starring Steven Seagal.
