USS Iowa: From Battleship to Museum

Since 1991, USS Iowa has gone from Cold War warrior to living museum.

Preserving a Legend: USS Iowa’s Journey After Service

After her final decommissioning in 1990, the USS Iowa entered a new chapter. Following years in reserve, she was removed from the Naval Vessel Register in 2006 and eventually awarded to the nonprofit Pacific Battleship Center. In 2012, Iowa arrived in Los Angeles and opened as a museum on July 4th — now serving as a national platform to honor service, build community, and educate future generations. As the future National Museum of the Surface Navy and the flagship of LA Fleet Week, Iowa continues her mission — not through combat, but through connection, purpose, and legacy.

Top Milestones: USS Iowa (1991–Present)

October 26, 1990: Officially decommissioned for the final time.
January 2006: Struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
September 2011: Navy designates the Pacific Battleship Center as recipient.
May 2012: Towed from Suisun Bay to Los Angeles via San Francisco and coast of California.
June 2012: Arrives at Berth 87 in the Port of Los Angeles.
July 4, 2012: Officially opens as a museum to the public.
2016–Present: Becomes the flagship of LA Fleet Week, welcoming thousands of service members and civilians annually.
2021: Designated as the future National Museum of the Surface Navy — the first of its kind in the nation.
Today: Hosts education, veterans, and community programs while preserving the legacy of American sea power.

WWII

Korean Conflict

Cold War

Service Awards

1990

Jan 04

Memorial Plaque

Turret Two memorial plaque unveiled.

Apr 19

Memorial Service

Turret Two Memorial Service. Memorial plaque dedicated.

May 01

Captain John P. Morse, USN Becomes Commanding Officer

Oct 26

USS IOWA Decommissioned

1995

Jan 01

Struck from the Naval Register

1998

Sep 24

Towed to Newport

Towed to the Naval Education and Training Center in Newport, Rhode Island.

1999

Jan 01

Reinstated to the Naval Vessel Register and placed in reserve

2001

Mar 08

Headed to California

Towed from Rhode Island to begin her journey through the Panama Canal to California.

Mar 08

In Suisun Bay Near San Francisco

Arrived in Suisun Bay near San Francisco on 21 April 2001 and joined the reserve fleet there, where she remained in reserve until struck again in 2005.

2006

Mar 01

Federal Register places IOWA for donation

2007

Mar 01

Vallejo Submits Final Application

Vallejo submits final application and is the only group remaining after Stockton and San Francisco groups withdraw. Navy issues letter to Vallejo group they need to show firm financing and has addressed EPA and dredging concerns.

2010

May 24

Pacific Battleship Center Submits a Letter of Intent

Federal Register readvertises for donation applications citing Vallejo’s lack of progress. The Pacific Battleship Center in Los Angeles is the only group to submit a letter of intent. However, Vallejo remains in the competition.

Nov 18

Berth 87 – Our New Home

Port of Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners unanimous vote for Berth 87 as IOWA’s new permanent home.

Nov 21

Application for the Ship

The Pacific Battleship Center submits initial application by the November 24th deadline.

2011

May 31

Final Application for the IOWA

Pacific Battleship Center submits the Final Application for the IOWA.

Sep 06

USS IOWA AWARDED TO THE PACIFIC BATTLESHIP CENTER

USS IOWA awarded to the Pacific Battleship Center by the Secretary of the Navy.

Oct 27

Towed to Richmond CA

USS IOWA begins its tow to Richmond, CA for exterior refurbishment.

Dec 07

Pearl Harbor Remembrance

USS IOWA hosts the National Park Service for Pearl Harbor remembrance.

Dec 10

Open to the Public

USS IOWA is open to the public for the first time in many years.

2012

Mar 05

Repainting Begins

Bay, Ship and Yacht painting company is contracted to begin work on repainting Iowa. Work will continue through the day before Iowa is towed to Los Angeles. Over 3,000 gallons of paint will be used, covering about 210,000 square feet of surface area.

Apr 19

Turret 2 Commemoration

First ceremonies for Turret 2 since ship was decommissioned.

Apr 24

Mast Re-stepped

Iowa’s upper mast radar platform is re-stepped. A re-stepping the mast ceremony was held with officials from the state of Iowa. Total weight lifted was 37,000 lbs. Platform is 50 ft. tall, 40 ft. long and over 50 ft. wide. Final height of the ship from the waterline to the top of the mast is 174 ft. The barge crane’s reach is barely tall enough at 194 feet.

Apr 29

Farewell to Iowa

The Big Band of Rossmoor with the Blue Stars conduct a farewell musical tribute to Iowa.

Apr 30

Donation Complete

The battleship Iowa was officially donated to the Pacific Battleship Center in Los Angeles by the United States Navy. U.S. Navy Vice Admiral W. Mark Skinner and Pacific Battleship Center President Robert Kent sign final documents transferring ownership from Navy to PBC.

May 13

Huey Lands on Aft Flight Deck

A Vietnam era UH-IH Huey helicopter landed on Iowa’s refurbished aft flight deck. The landing took place on the last day the ship was open to the public before being towed to her permanent home in San Pedro, CA. This was the first helicopter landing on the ship since 1989. The helicopter is called the 309 and is owned / operated by EMU, Inc.

May 17

New Home in LA

Port of Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners voted unanimously to create a new home for the historic battleship.

May 20

Bad Weather Prevents Departure

SS Jeremiah O’Brien holds a farewell cruise in San Francisco harbor, anticipating Iowa’s departure to San Pedro. However, bad weather prevents her departure. (O’Brien cruises by Iowa).

May 25

Berthing Arrangement

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to approve the permit between PBC and the Port of LA for battleship Iowa’s berth and lease arrangement.

May 26

Leaves Port of Richmond

The Battleship Iowa began her journey to the Port of Los Angeles under tow by an ocean going tug; Crowley Warrior. Leaves Port of Richmond under tow – 4 tugs, crosses San Francisco Bay and passes under the Golden Gate Bridge, heading for Los Angeles.

May 30

Anchored off of LA

Anchored off the Southern California coast close to Long Beach on May 30th to have her hull scrubbed to remove any invasive species or contaminants.

Jun 02

Towed to Temporary Berth

She was towed to a temporary berth in San Pedro / Port of Los Angeles, Berth 51, 52, 53 across from the Victory ship SS Lane Victory. (Completing her last voyage on open water).

Jun 09

Towed to Permanent Home

Iowa’s final journey down the main Los Angeles channel to its permanent home at Port of Los Angeles, Berth 87, in San Pedro, CA, directly south of the World Cruise Center. Over 1,000 guests are on board as she is towed down channel.

Jul 02

USS Iowa Vets Visit

A private open house on Iowa is held for the visiting Iowa Veterans Association members and their families. During the first week in July, the Iowa Veterans Association held their annual reunion in San Pedro at the Doubletree Hotel.

Jul 04

Grand Opening

The private invitation Grand Opening was held on July 4th. The Independence Day Celebration featured Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, and U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa.

Jul 05

Plankowner Celebration

Celebration (by invitation only) for Plankowners (initial supporters) who made donations to the nonprofit Pacific Battleship Center by May 20, 2012, Iowa holds an open house.

Jul 07

IOWA OPENED FOR TOURS

Iowa opened for tours as a floating museum to the general public at her new permanent home at Berth 87, San Pedro, Port of Los Angeles.

Aug 14

USS Wayne E. Meyer Tied Astern

August 14-18 : Navy Days LA featured destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer DDG 108 tied astern of Iowa. Special tours were given to their officers.

Sep 21

Space Shuttle Flyover

USMC Major General Spiese from Camp Pendleton and Iowa’s staff repaint the USMC emblem back on 5inch gun mount number 55. Space Shuttle Endeavor atop her Nasa 747 flies directly above Iowa, on her way to LAX and her future permanent home in the Los Angeles Science Center.

Oct 22

CBS Studios Films on the Ship

CBS Studios was on board filming the TV series NCIS – Los Angeles. One of Iowa’s veterans is filmed as an extra (“Mac” McEnteggart). Episode to air December 18th. Jonathan Frakes of Star Trek fame was the producer.

Nov 01

100,000 Have Come Since Opening

An estimated 100,000 have now toured Iowa since opening in Los Angeles.

Nov 11

Veteran’s Day Weekend

In conjunction with the Port of LA and Mayor’s office; Veterans Day was celebrated with a Veteran’s admission to Iowa’s tour being free. Over 5,000 visit over the weekend.

Dec 25

Christmas Lights on the IOWA

With donations from the public, both money and Christmas lights, Iowa is decorated with many Christmas lights once again. She was a “Christmas lights” prize winner in her Cold War service years for many years at Norfolk’s Naval Base.