Photos: Battleship USS New Jersey Is Making a Historic Naval 'Comeback'

Summary: The USS New Jersey, an Iowa-class battleship commissioned in 1943 and decommissioned in 1991, is undergoing its first refurbishment in over thirty years at a cost of $10 million.

-Known as "Big J," the battleship served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War before becoming a museum ship.

-The restoration, expected to take two months, aims to preserve the eighty-year-old vessel and is scheduled for completion by Memorial Day. This timing will allow the ship to be ready for peak tourist season, providing 80,000 annual visitors a chance to explore its storied history.

USS New Jersey: $10 Million Refurbishment to Preserve Historic Battleship

The USS New Jersey is undergoing its first refurbishment in over thirty years at a cost of $10 million dollars. The restoration is expected to take up to two months and is vital for preserving the eighty-year-old vessel.

The Iowa-class battleship, known as “Big J” was first commissioned in 1943 and served in multiple theaters of war before being decommissioned (for the third and final time) in 1991.

So, why invest $10 million in a warship that has not sailed since George H.W. Bush was in office? Since retiring from active duty, the USS New Jersey has served as a museum piece, offering the public a glimpse at a bygone era in naval warfare, when the battleship was king.

Ready in time for Memorial Day

The New Jersey’s refurbishments should be complete before the Memorial Day weekend—which is a high-volume weekend for the museum ship that hosts 80,000 visitors annually.

“The battleship will undergo routine maintenance, repairs, and repainting for the first time in 32 years, a job that will cost $10 million,” reported the Maritime Examiner. “That task is expected to take 60 days following which the ship will be towed back to Camden in time for Memorial Day and the peak tourist season.”

Remembering the New Jersey’s service record

Visitors to the newly reopened New Jersey will have access to information about the vessel’s service record. First commissioned in 1943, at the climax of World War II, the New Jersey was the second Iowa-class battleship (of four total). Constructed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (in Pennsylvania, not New Jersey), the New Jersey was dispatched to the Pacific Theater to wage war against Imperial Japan. During the conflict, the New Jersey was awarded more battle stars than any of the other three Iowa-class battleships. The battle stars were awarded after various engagements, including the shelling of Guam and Okinawa, and the screening of aircraft carriers as they conducted raids in the Marshall Islands.

After World War II concluded, the New Jersey remained in service, and was eventually deployed to the Korean War on two tours. Operating in the coastal waters off the Korean Peninsula, the New Jersey targeted land-based coastal targets with the vessel’s massive 16-inch guns. The New Jersey’s fire support helped United Nations troops prepare for ground actions.

After the Korean War ended, as the battleship era was all but over, the New Jersey was decommissioned. But not for long. During the Vietnam War the New Jersey was recommissioned; having received an extensive overhaul just prior to decommissioning, the New Jersey was deemed fit for service and capable of helping the United States to mitigate its heavy aircraft losses. And so, the New Jersey entered the conflict with Vietnam as the only active battleship in the entire world.

When Saigon fell and the Americans withdrew from Southeast Asia, the New Jersey was decommissioned—again. And once again, the New Jersey was recommissioned, in 1982, as part of President Ronald Reagan’s effort to field a 600-ship Navy.

When the Cold War ended, the New Jersey was decommissioned—this time for good—and sent to serve as a museum piece.

By Memorial Day, the public will again be able to visit the refurbished New Jersey and walk her storied deck.

About the author

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,300 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

All images were taken by Ethan Saunders for the National Interest at the USS New Jersey - all rights reserved.