USS Massachusetts (BB 59)

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History coming soon....

Ship's Data
Where applicable, data is that of the modernized/reconstructed version and not that of the original as-built configuration.

Class:
Nickname:
Authorized:
Keel Laid:
Launched:
Commissioned:
Main Battery:
Secondary Battery:
Design Displacement:
Full Load Displacement:
Overall Length:
Waterline Length:
Draft:
Beam:
Design Speed:
Decommissioned:
WWII Battle Stars:
Final Fate:

South Dakota
Big Mamie
27 March 1934 and 3 June 1936
20 July 1939
23 September 1941
12 May 1942
Nine 16in/45cal Mk.6 (3 x 3)
Twenty 5in/38cal (10 x 2)
35,400 tons
45,200 tons
680 ft
666 ft
29 ft 3 in
108 ft 2 in
27 knots
27 March 1947
Eleven
Museum/memorial ship since 14 August 1962 at Fall River, MA

Camouflage
All the dates given may not be exact as to the month of repainting.
For more information about the different camouflage measures refer to the Camouflage page.

May 1942 - Oct 1942
October 1942 - 1947

Measure 12 (Mod.)
Measure 22

Battle Stars
These are the locations and dates of the operations that earned a battle star.

	1. North African Occupation
	- Actions off Casablanca		8 November 1942
	- Algeria-Morocco Landings		8-11 November 1942
	2. Gilbert Islands Operation		19 November - 8 December 1943
	3. Marshall Islands Operation
	- Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls		29 January - 8 February 1944
	4. Asiatic-Pacific Raids
	- Truk		16-17 February 1944
	- Marianas Attack		21-22 February 1944
	- Palau, Yap, Ulithi, Woleai		30 March - 1 April 1944
	- Truk, Satawan, Ponape		29 April - 1 May 1944
	5. Hollandia Operation
	- Aitape, Humbolt Bay, Tanamerah Bay		21-24 April 1944
	6. Western Caroline Islands Operation
	- Capture and Occupation of Southern Palau Islands		6 September - 14 October 1944
	7. Leyte Operation
	- Okinawa Attack		10 October 1944
	- Luzon and Formosa		11-14 October 1944
	- Luzon		15, 17-19 October; 5-6, 13-14, and 19-22 November 1944
	- Vasaya		21 October 1944
	- Battle off Cape Engano		25-26 October 1944
	8. Luzon Operation
	- Formosa		3-4, 9, 15-16, and 21 January 1945
	- Luzon		6-7 January 1945
	- China Coast		12 and 16 January 1945
	- Nansei Shoto		22 January 1945
	9. Iwo Jima Operation
	- Iwo Jima		15 February - 4 March 1945
	- Hansei amd Nansei Shoto		15-16 and 25 February; 1 March 1945
	10. Okinawa-Gunto Operation		17 March - 11 June 1945
	11. Third Fleet Operations Against Japan		10 July - 15 August 1945

Armament Summary
May 1942 - August 1945

Gun	Mount	May 1942	Nov 1942	Jan 1943	Feb 1943	Jun 1944	Aug 1944	Aug 1945
16in/45cal Mk.6	3 Gun	9	9	9	9	9	9	9
5in/38cal Mk.12	Twin	20	20	20	20	20	20	20
40mm Mk.1	Quad	6	6	10	12	16	18	15
20mm Mk.4	Single	12	35	50	61	52	32	22
20mm Mk.4	Twin	-	-	-	-	1	1	8
20mm (Exp.)	Quad	-	-	-	-	1	1	-

Photos
These photos are arranged in chronological order and are believed to be all declassified official USN photos (unless otherwise noted.)
[Thumbnails are 15% of full image size.]

	Entering Boston Harbor.	12 May 1942
	At Boston Navy Yard a few months after commissioning.	13 July 1942
	As above.	13 July 1942
	Underway.	1942
	As seen from a destroyer while underway off Casablanca.	8 November 1942
	Anti-aircraft crews fire at four French aircraft that were persuing a US spotter aircraft during the Battle of Casablanca.	8 November 1942
	Seen during the Battle of Casablanca. Note the two US flags, the crew's battle gear, and the 'bloomers' on the guns of the 5in/38cal battery.	8 November 1942
	Aerial view underway.	1943
	Framed underneath the aft main guns of sistership USS Alabama (BB 60) at Casco Bay, Maine.	January 1943
	Entering Efate Harbor.	5 August 1943
	Anchored in Efate Harbor. Note the Atlanta class light cruiser in the background.	August 1943
	At Puget Sound Navy Yard follwing overhaul.	July 1944
	As above.	July 1944
	As above.	July 1944
	As above.	July 1944
	On post-refit trails in Puget Sound.	11 July 1944
	As above.	11 July 1944
	As above.	11 July 1944
	Refueling from oiler USS Kaskaskia.	17 October 1944
	Underway near Ulithi.	24 November 1944
	Firing on Kaimaishi during the last days of the war, as seen from sistership USS Indiana (BB 58).	9 August 1945
	Post-war at Puget Sound following last refit.	22 January 1946
	As above.	22 January 1946