USS West Virginia (BB-48)

The USS West Virginia was a Colorado Class battleship launched in 1921, commissioned on December 1, 1923. Sent to Hawaii in 1940 to guard against a potential Japanese attack, she was moored in Pearl Harbor when that attack happened. She was hit by two bombs, both duds, and 6 torpedoes. She was sunk with the loss of 106 men. Rescuers can be seen pulling a man from the water around the West Virginia below.

After salvage and repairs, she sailed to Puget Sound Navy Yard for extensive repair and re-fitting, adding over 90 twenty and forty mm cannons. In addition to her main 16 and 5 inch guns, she was very formidable upon return to the Pacific. When she left Puget Sound, she headed for Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, where she participated in the landings and later the Battle of Leyte Gulf. She also was involved in later actions around the islands of the Philippines. She also participated in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns, using her guns to great effect. At the end of the war, she was in Tokyo Bay as the Japanese surrendered. The USS West Virginia ended her war duty in Operation Magic Carpet, which brought home over 8 million Americans fighting around the globe. She made three trips as part of this homecoming operation.

Today, September 23, 1944 is the day the mighty USS West Virginia returned to Pearl Harbor and beagn her service avenging the attack there almost 3 years earlier. She was the last of the ships damaged to return to service. Last, but not least by any means. She earned 5 battle stars during World War II.

We salute those 106 men who died from the USS West Virginia on December 7, 1941. We also salute all of those who served aboard her, before and after the war. The service and sacrifices are immeasurable.