WORLD WAR II and POST WAR SERVICE
USS Iowa BB-61
The Lead Ship of the Iowa-Class Battleship
Commissioned in 1943, the USS Iowa (BB-61) was a formidable force in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Designed for speed, firepower, and leadership, she played a vital role in major operations across the Pacific, including the Marshall Islands, Marianas, and Okinawa campaigns. Iowa provided critical naval gunfire support, served as flagship for the Third Fleet, and safely transported President Franklin D. Roosevelt to meet with Allied leaders during the Tehran Conference — earning her the nickname the “Battleship of Presidents.” With her massive 16-inch guns and advanced technology, she helped shape the path to victory and earned nine battle stars during WWII alone. Today, her legacy lives on as a symbol of strength, service, and American resolve.
Top WWII and Post War Moments
- February 22, 1943: Commissioned as the lead ship of the Iowa class.
- November 1943: Carried President Roosevelt to the Tehran Conference.
- Jan–Feb 1944: Bombarded Kwajalein and Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands.
- June 1944: Fought in the Marianas and Battle of the Philippine Sea.
- October 1944: Participated in support of Leyte operations (not as flagship).
- December 1944: Survived Typhoon Cobra that sank three U.S. destroyers.
- January 1945: Supported strikes on Formosa and the Chinese coast.
- Feb–Mar 1945: Fired on Iwo Jima in support of Marine landings.
- Apr–June 1945: Shelled Okinawa in the war’s bloodiest campaign.
- August 1945: Served as Halsey’s flagship and radio ship for surrender ceremonies aboard USS Missouri.
- March 1949: Decommissioned
Keel Laid Down
Keel laid down at New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York.
USS IOWA Commissioned
Commissioned (On Washington’s Birthday), Commanding Officer Captain John L. McCrea USN.
Post Shakedown Overhaul Complete
USS IOWA completed her post shakedown overhaul.
Heading to North Atlantic
En Route to Newfoundland and the North Atlantic for her first war patrol. The assignment called the “Tirpitz Watch” (a German battleship) contributed to the neutralization of the threat presented by that warship then poised in Norwegian waters.
Waiting in Norfolk Navy Yard
To Norfolk Navy Yard for two weeks of maintenance in preparation for taking President Roosevelt to North Africa for Tehran Conference.
The Tehran Conference
En route to Mediterranean with FDR and other high-ranking members of American delegation to Mers-el-Kebir, Algeria and then Tehran. The Tehran Conference was with Stalin and Churchill.
First Equator Crossing
King Neptune makes his appearance at Iowa’s (BB-61) first equator crossing
FDR Heads Back to the USA
Completion of mission with return of FDR to the United States.
Perhaps the only bathtub installed for a President on an American warship, the tub was installed as a convenience for President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean to meet with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Secretary General Joseph Stalin at Casablanca, Morocco on the first leg of the journey to the Tehran Conference in November 1943. After the conference she returned the President to the United States.
En Route to the Pacific
En Route to Pacific as Flagship of Battleship Division 7, in company with USS NEW JERSEY. The USS IOWA became a charter member of the famous Pacific Fleet Task Force 58.
Transit the Panama Canal
Battle of Philippine Sea
In action throughout battle of the Philippine Sea. Downed at least three attacking planes.
Captain Allan R. McCann is Commanding Officer from Aug – Nov
In 1941-44, Captain McCann led two submarine squadrons, served in important positions at the Navy Department and was commanding officer of the battleship Iowa (BB-61) from August – November 1944. After promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he was Chief of Staff to Commander, Tenth Fleet, served with the Atlantic Fleet and Commanded Task Force 68, which escorted President Harry S. Truman to and from the Potsdam Conference.
Captain James Lemuel Holloway, Jr. Assumes Command
Captain James Lemuel Holloway, Jr. assumed command of the battleship Iowa (BB-61), flagship of Battleship Division 7, in November 1944.
Kamikaze Attack
Kamikaze attack on Third Fleet. USS IOWA claimed two Jills and a Judy.
In Drydock in Ulithi
At Ulithi for replenishment and maintenance in drydock ABSD-2. Lost plane – washed over the side during typhoon.
As one crew member recounts, “It was a very scary night, the Iowa rolled to about a 45 degree angle at one point and we all held our breaths that it wouldn’t happen again. As our luck went, it happened at meal time so you can imagine the condition of the deck in the mess hall.”
There were 24 ships damaged, plus the destroyers Monoghan, Hull, and Spence which were sunk with a loss of 765 sailors. Damage to shaft caused by storm required USS IOWA to return to the United States for overhaul at Hunters Point Shipyard, San Francisco in the following month.
First Major Overhaul
In drydock until March 19, 1945. This was the first major overhaul since leaving the East Coast. Bridge area was enclosed. New search and fire control radar installed.
Captain Charles Wellborn Jr. Becomes Commanding Officer
En Route to Northern Honshu and Hokkaido
With the USS Missouri
In company with USS MISSOURI, USS IOWA put into Sagami Bay to effect the surrender of Yokosuka naval district.
Tokyo Bay
USS IOWA and USS MISSOURI entered Tokyo Bay in support of landing of occupation forces to take place next day.
Secured the Japanese Battleship Nagato
Sailors from the USS Iowa, Underwater Demolition Team 18, and the high-speed transport USS Horace A. Bass secured the Japanese battleship Nagato. Captain Thomas J. Flynn, executive officer of the Iowa, assumed command.
V-J Day
Cover of the V-J Day Booklet issued for the Iowa (BB-61) on 2 September 1945.
Arrival in Seattle WA
Arrived in Seattle, Washington and from there went on to Long Beach where she engaged in training operations along the West Coast.
Captain Frederick I. Entwistle USN Takes Over as Commanding Officer
Captain Raymond D. Tarbuck USN Becomes Commanding Officer
Overhauled in Puget Sound Navy Yard
USS IOWA again overhauled. This time it was at Puget Sound Navy Yard. She received SK-2 radar and had many 20mm and 40mm mounts removed. Then was painted haze gray on all vertical surfaces.
Captain Thomas M. Stokes USN Becomes Commanding Officer
Captain Edward A. Solomons, USN Becomes Commanding Officer
Captain William F. Jennings, USN Becomes Commanding Officer
