A Decorated Legacy: Service Awards of USS Iowa
The USS Iowa (BB-61) is one of the most honored battleships in U.S. Navy history. From intense combat in World War II and Korea to global presence during the Cold War, she earned distinction across five decades of service. These awards represent the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of every sailor who served aboard the “Big Stick.”
Key Milestones in USS Iowa’s Award-Winning Service
- 1944–1945: Earned 9 battle stars for major Pacific Theater operations in WWII, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
- 1952–1953: Received 2 battle stars during the Korean War for naval gunfire support missions.
- 1980s: Awarded the Navy “E” Ribbon for combat readiness during Cold War deployments.
- Multi-era service: Eligible crew received the National Defense Service Medal for honorable service across multiple conflicts.
- Post-1951: Honored by the Republic of Korea with the War Service Medal for Korean War contributions.
(click on a ribbon to see more about why it was awarded)
The letters painted on the ship’s bridge wings are known as Command Excellence Awards. These awards show that a ship has proven to be superior in a certain area of operations. Hash marks below the letters denote multiple awards.
The USS IOWA’s Command Excellence Awards are:
Awarded for best ship handling, weapons employment, tactics, and command and control. The Battle “E” is awarded only once per year, and only one award per squadron. Possibly the most important Command Excellence Award a ship can earn, competition for this decoration is fierce, and not many ships can match the IOWA’s four awards.
DC
Excellence Award for the best Damage Control Crews
Excellence Award for Navigation
C
Excellence Award for the best Communications Departments
Excellence Award for the best Gunnery Departments
Excellence Award for the best Electronic Warfare Crews
E
Excellence Award for the best Supply Departments
S
Excellence Award for Strategic Operations
E
Excellence Award for the best Propulsion and Engineering Crews (Located on the aft stack)
F
Excellence Award for the best Fire Control Crews (Located on the foreward 5″ director)