USS NEW JERSEY

• Oldest and Most Decorated Battleship: USS New Jersey (BB-62) is the most decorated battleship in U.S. Navy history, earning 19 battle stars for service in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Lebanese Civil War. • Launched in 1942: USS New Jersey was launched on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, symbolizing America’s resolve. • Iowa-Class Battleship: She is one of four Iowa-class battleships, famed for their speed (over 30 knots) and heavy armament, including nine 16-inch guns. • Served in Four Wars: Uniquely, New Jersey saw combat in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Lebanese Civil War (1983-84), making her one of the few ships to serve in four conflicts. • Flagship for Admirals: During World War II, New Jersey served as flagship for Admiral Raymond Spruance and Admiral William F. Halsey, two of the Navy’s most prominent leaders. • Longest Battleship: At 887 feet, she was the longest battleship ever built for the U.S. Navy. • Vietnam War Gunfire Support: In the Vietnam War, New Jersey fired more shells than she did in all of World War II and Korea combined, providing critical gunfire support for ground troops. • Reactivation and Modernization: New Jersey was reactivated and modernized three times (1950, 1968, 1982), reflecting changing defense needs and technology, including Tomahawk cruise missiles in the 1980s. • Presidential Visits: She was visited by several U.S. presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, highlighting her symbolic importance. • Museum Ship: Since 2001, the USS New Jersey has been preserved as a museum ship on the Camden, New Jersey waterfront, where she serves as a tribute to naval history and the thousands who served aboard her.