[17] Early on the morning of 12 October New Jersey trained her guns in anticipation of shelling the heavily fortified and well protected Vinh caves. The next day New Jersey engaged targets of opportunity, destroying 11 structures, seven bunkers, a concrete observation tower, and an enemy trench line. New Jersey duty was probably the least hazardous duty in Vietnam. The anti-aircraft fire of New Jersey and the other screening ships proved virtually impenetrable; two American ships were slightly damaged during the battle. BB-62 at sea. During a similar action 25 November three Japanese planes were shot down by the combined fire of the force, part of one flaming onto the flight deck of Hancock. For the next two days the battleship concentrated her fire at Viet Cong storage areas near Qung Ngi, destroying 182structures and 54bunkers, inflicting heavy damage to 93structures, and demolishing several tunnel complexes before departing for Point Betsy near Hue 27 November to support the 101st Airborne Division. a cargo ship and other ships. She was briefly reactivated in 1968 and sent to Vietnam to support US troops before returning to the mothball fleet in 1969. The New Jersey was 860-feet long, with a displacement of 57,350-tons. The recommissioning of New Jersey marked a return of the world's last battleships after a 13-year absence from the world's oceans. USS Besugo (SS 321) and USS Hardhead (SS . She accounted for six bunkers, a supply truck and an anti-aircraft site that day; additionally, she helped rescue the crew of a Marine spotting plane forced down at sea by anti-aircraft fire. The NEW JERSEY crew is undoubtedly the finest and most professional group of men with which I have ever had the privilege of serving. She returned to Norfolk 7 January 1956 for the spring program of training operations. [60] This cleared New Jersey for placement on the National Register of Historic Places, a list to which New Jersey was officially added in 2004. On 31 May 1967 the Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara authorized a study aimed at determining what would be required to get New Jersey reactivated in her present condition, and when the results of the submitted study proved favorable toward the reactivation he took action. Several near misses splashed to port, but New Jersey's precision fire silenced the enemy and destroyed several gun emplacements. Battleship NJ Sinks an Island! - YouTube Roads interdicted 26 At the time the ships were operating about 300 miles (500km) east of Luzon in the Philippine Sea. When reactivated in 1967 New Jersey had her 20mm Oerlikon and 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns removed, and received improved electronic warfare capabilities. logged for tours, renovations and maintenance work. [56], This article is about the battleship commissioned in 1943. CREATIVE. [8] During the final months of the war, New Jersey was overhauled at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, from which she sailed 4 July for San Pedro, Pearl Harbor, and Eniwetok bound for Guam. A Kara-class cruiser and two Grisha III frigates also shadowed the U.S. ships. She was the second of the Iowa class to be commissioned by the U.S. Visitors marvel at the 16" guns. Here's What You Need to Remember: USS New Jersey was on the gun line in South Vietnam for 120 days.She participated in the U.S. Navy's Operation Sea Dragon, an effort to disrupt North Vietnam . Miceli later led the technical investigation into the. In 1997, while the ship was still in the mothball fleet, the New Jersey State Review Board for Historic Sites recommended that it "be listed in the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, contingent upon the transfer of the battleship to New Jersey waters. New Jersey was decommissioned for the last time in 1991 (after serving a total of 21 years in the active fleet), having earned a Navy Unit Commendation for service in Vietnam and 19 battle and campaign stars for combat operations during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Lebanese Civil War, and service in the Persian Gulf. [50], In 2012 there was another nonprofit - the USS New Jersey Battleship Foundation, Inc. - which advocated that New Jersey should be moved to Liberty State Park. On 24 July New Jersey received 16inch shells and powder tanks from Mount Katmai by conventional highline transfer and by helicopter lift, the first time heavy battleship ammunition had been transferred by helicopter at sea (now known as vertical replenishment). Enemy killed in action (probable) 7, Theabove excerpts are from (Operational Experience of Fast Battleships; World War II, Korea, Vietnam pp 196/197, and from the USS NEW JERSEY Command History dated 17 Dec 1969. RETURN OF THE BATTLESHIP - The New York Times Using both the 16in and 5in guns New Jersey engaged and destroyed 13structures and an artillery site, in the process halting an enemy platoon moving through the DMZ. Get personalized pricing by telling us when, where, and how you want to . The aerial observer reported seven bunkers destroyed. USS New Jersey (BB-62) During World War II - ThoughtCo This was first time that New Jersey had operational control of her own group of escorts since the Korean War, and she cruised from Hawaii to Thailand in 1986, freeing up U.S. aircraft carriers for other missions and in the process becoming the only major U.S. naval presence in the region from May to October. USS New Jersey(BB-62) USS New Jerseyunderway in January 1985 History United States Namesake State of New Jersey Ordered 1 July 1939 Builder Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Laid down 16 September 1940 Launched 7 December 1942 Sponsored by Carolyn Edison Commissioned 23 May 1943 Decommissioned 30 June 1948 Recommissioned 21 November 1950 Decommissioned Brief stays at Manila and Okinawa preceded her arrival in Tokyo Bay 17 September, where she served as flagship for the successive commanders of Naval Forces in Japanese waters until relieved 28 January 1946 by Iowa (BB-61). On the 22nd she arrived once more at Yokosuka, and immediately put to sea in readiness for what might befall. As Captain Snyder remarked; The men on todays NEW JERSEY are not afraid to experiment, to innovate, to reject old and begin new traditions. Enemy killed in action (probable) 17 With the eyes of the world on her, at 0730, the battleship unleashed the first 16-inch barrage fired in anger in over 15 years. What Happened to the USS New Jersey Battleship? What Happened to the USS New Jersey Battleship? Are The 16in Gun Turrets Welded in Place? Kids can sleep in the bunks where the sailors slept in an overnight encampment. MAIN BATTERY On 14 February the battleship steamed south of the DMZ to provide support for the 3rd Marine Division, in the process destroying an anti-aircraft site with her big guns. VIETNAM - 40 Years ago " NEW JERSEY remained on station until 0600 1 April (1969) , finishing the deployment where she had begun it more than six months earlier. May 8, 1945 welcomes in VE Day, "Today the war in Europe came to an end!" [8], Aside from a brief break in firing 23 September to take aboard wounded from the Korean frigateApnok(PF-62), damaged by gunfire, New Jersey was heavily engaged in bombarding the Kansong area, supporting the movement of the U.S. X Corps. Another original gun barrel is located in Camden, next to USS New Jersey, and a third is on display in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. On 22 February New Jersey responded to an urgent request for fire support from the besieged Oceanview observation post near the DMZ. She knocked out eleven Communist shore guns that day, and four days later destroyed the key observation post on the island of Hodo Pando, commanding the harbor. [8] New Jersey fired on coastal batteries and buildings at Kojo 16 April; on railway track and tunnels near Hungnam 18 April; and on gun emplacements around Wonsan Harbor 20 April, silencing them in five areas after she had herself taken several near misses. Near the 17th parallel on 30 September, the battleship fired her first shots in battle in over sixteen years, expending a total of 29 sixteen inch rounds against People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) targets in and near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel. She called at Lisbon, participated in NATO exercises off Scotland, and paid an official visit to Norway where Crown Prince Olav was a guest. [36], On 16 September 1983 Druze forces massed on the threshold of Suk El Gharb, a village defended by the Lebanese Army. The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial today. The last observed mission was fired on the evening of 31 March against an enemy bunker complex three-and-one-half miles northeast of Con Thien. In August 1983 militiamen began to bombard United States Marines positions near Beirut International Airport with mortar and rocket fire as the Lebanese Army fought Druze and Shia forces in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Meet The USS New Jersey: 57,350 Tons of Battleship Power Overview of the USS New Jersey (BB-62) Nation: United States Type: Battleship Shipyard: Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Laid Down: September 16, 1940 Launched: December 7, 1942 Four hundred Marines stationed in Beirut attended the show. [17], On 11 October New Jersey engaged a coastal installation with her guns; however, she shifted her fire when a recon plane spotting for the battleship reported an enemy truck concentration north of Nha Ky. New Jersey gunners quickly retrained the battleship's big guns and managed to inflict heavy damage on six of the vehicles. It was on this first such mission at Wonsan that she received her only combat casualties of the Korean War. Did the USS New Jersey sunk an island? - rebellionresearch.com The battlewagon fired nearly twenty. Present were Governor Alfred E. Driscoll, former Governor Walter E. Edge and other dignitaries. [52] The cost to fix New Jersey was considered less than the cost to fix Iowa;[28] as a result, New Jersey and Wisconsin were reinstated to the Naval Vessel Register and placed back in the reserve fleet. On 7 January 1944 she passed through the Panama Canal war-bound for Funafuti, Ellice Islands. 3 gun turret during her 1980s career. One of USS New Jersey's original gun barrels from 1943 to 1954 now sits on the northwest corner of the Marine Parade Grounds alongside Broad Street and Intrepid Avenue in Philadelphia. Section 1012 also required the transferee to locate the battleship in the State of New Jersey. New Jersey sailed for Europe once more 27 August as flagship of Vice Admiral Charles Wellborn Jr., Commander United States Second Fleet. [8] Between 7 June and 26 August, New Jersey formed part of the first training squadron to cruise Northern European waters since the beginning of World War II. She then sailed back to Wonsan for a day-long bombardment 24 June, aimed at guns placed in caves. This Is The Only Photo Of A U.S. Navy Supercarrier Being - The Drive Email: info@battleshipnewjersey.org. Her homecoming, however, was to be delayed. April 6 - Navy Military: Vietnam War: View of USS New Jersey (BB-62) Iowa-class battleship firing shell from the Gulf of Tonkin. Approaching the ship on the promenade. BB-62 Images - Battleship New Jersey On the evening of 7 October New Jersey received reports that a number of waterborne logistics craft were moving south near the mouth of the Song Giang River. New Jersey was recommissioned on April 6 1968 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard where she had been . ex-USS New Jersey | Monitor National Marine Sanctuary New Jersey got underway on the voyage 6 September, departing Long Beach for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. USS New Jersey (BB-62) - The Vietnam War (1967-1969) The @battleshipnj hosted members of the Jackson, NJ VFW for guided tours, lunch in the Officers Wardroom & the shooting of the 5-inch and saluting guns today. Like her sister ships, the USS New Jersey was an awe-inspiring site in 1943 with her 9 x 16 inch Mark 7 series main guns. As part of the naval mobilization New Jersey was recalled from the mothball fleet to provide seaborne artillery support for U.N. and South Korean troops. Panama Canal Zone 6/4/1968 CREDIT: Neil Leifer. The pattern again was harassing fire by night, destruction of known targets by day. The problem was apparently resolved after the Navy was able to locate additional powder supplies which had not been remixed. [8], At Wonsan 1112 July, New Jersey fired one of the most concentrated bombardments of her Korean duty. [8], New Jersey's main battery consisted of nine 16"/50 caliber Mark 7 guns in three three-gun turrets, which could fire 2,700-pound (1,225kg) armor-piercing shells some 23 miles (42.6km). Here on 14 August she once again became flagship of the 5th Fleet under Admiral Spruance. [25] These ideas were ultimately dropped, and New Jersey retained her No. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE HOME PORT ALLIANCE FOR THE USS NEW JERSEY, INC. Chairman Dennis Levitt Vice-Chairman Lisa Conti Treasurer Tom Reilly Secretary Robert DelSordo, Esq. Her ports of call included Gibraltar, Valencia, Cannes, Istanbul, Souda Bay; and Barcelona. Her big guns were trained on two tunnels between which she hoped to catch the train, but in the darkness she could not see the results of her six-gun salvo. [17], On 16 October New Jersey took up station in support of the U.S. 3rd Marine Division. Two days later, the force came under suicide attack. Family Finds One-Ton Battleship Shell | USS New Jersey in Vietnam Aerial spotters were called in to look at the suspected gun position; they reported no artillery present but fresh tire tracks leading to a concealed area, suggesting that there had been artillery there earlier. [7] She was christened at her launching by Carolyn Edison, wife of Governor Charles Edison of New Jersey, himself a former Secretary of the Navy; and commissioned at Philadelphia 23 May 1943, Captain Carl F. Holden in command. She returned to Ulithi on Christmas Eve to be met by Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz. Artillery sites neutralized 2 On 6 Apr 1968, New Jersey was recommissioned during the Vietnam War, becoming the world's only active battleship. She struck at bridges, road, and rail installations at Wonsan, Hungnam, Tanchon, Iowon, Songjin, and Chongjin, leaving four bridges destroyed, others badly damaged, two marshaling yards badly torn up, and many feet of track destroyed. (rebellionresearch.com) . [8], Between 17 March and 10 April, New Jersey first sailed with Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitscher's flagship Lexington for an air and surface bombardment of Mille, then rejoined Task Group 58.2 for a strike against shipping in the Palaus, and bombarded Woleai. New Jersey screened the aircraft carriers from Japanese attack as planes from Task Group 58.2 flew strikes against Kwajalein and Eniwetok 29 January 2 February, softening up the latter for its invasion and supporting the troops who landed on 31 January. Once she fired, it was obvious she couldn't hit anything. She departed Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States on 16 . On 29 August 1983, two Marines were killed and fourteen wounded, and in the ensuing months the Marines came under almost daily attack from artillery, mortar, rocket, and small-arms fire. New Jersey encounters the French battleship Richelieu (left) when both ships anchored in Hampton Roads on 7 September 1943, following Richelieu 's defection to the Allies and refit in New York. She returned to this general area yet again 29 August, when she fired in an amphibious demonstration staged behind enemy lines to ease pressure on the Republic of Korea's troops. Battleship NJ Sinks an Island! A gun emplacement on tiger island decided to try their luck and lob a shot at us. Bunkers damaged 73 On 3 October New Jersey fired on targets south of Tiger Island, and on 4 October the battleship fired on a Communist troop concentration and destroyed several bunkers. The decision to decommission New Jersey robbed the battleship of the chance to participate in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, a military campaign to forcibly remove Iraqi invasion troops from Kuwait. [8] During sea trials following her modernization, New Jersey set the battleship world speed record by achieving a speed of 35.2 knots (65.2km/h; 40.5mph), maintaining this speed for six hours. New Jersey smashed radar control positions and bridges at Kojo 13 July, and was once more on the east coast bombline 2224 July to support South Korean troops near Kosong. New Jersey and its sister ship, USS Virginia, were both sunk in 1923 during aerial bombing tests . In direct support to United Nations troops; or in preparation for ground actions, in interdicting Communist supply and communication routes, or in destroying supplies and troop positions, New Jersey used her 16-inch guns to fire far beyond the capacity of land artillery, moved rapidly and free from major attack from one target to another, and at the same time could be immediately available to guard aircraft carriers should they require her protection. USS New Jersey (BB-62) is an Iowa-class battleship, and was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after the US state of New Jersey. She accounted for six bunkers, a supply truck and an anti-aircraft site that day; additionally, she helped rescue the crew of a Marine spotting plane forced down at sea by anti-aircraft fire. New Jersey duty was probably the least hazardous duty in Vietnam. [56], Shortly after her arrival New Jersey was opened to the public, officially beginning her new career as a museum ship with the name Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial. [8], New Jersey's mission at Wonsan, the next day, was her last. She also hit a target that flamed spectacularly: either a fuel storage area or an ammunition dump. [58], New Jersey has been placed on several historic registers. She screened the carrier striking force which gave air support to the invasion of Aitape, Tanahmerah Bay and Humboldt Bay, New Guinea, 22 April, then shelled shipping and shore installations at Truk 2930 April. Its a Beautiful Day on the ship for the car show, student day and tours all day - come on out to the show cars are on the pier and in lot one!! In conclusion, the story of the USS New Jersey sinking an island in 1969 is likely a myth or urban legend with no basis in fact. The journey, ordered by President Theodore Roosevelt, was to showcase American goodwill and to demonstrate both at home and on the world stage that the United States had become a major sea power. [23] Five days later, Captain Snyder was relieved of command by Captain Robert C. The next day New Jersey fired on an enemy rocket site northeast of Con Thien, destroying the facility, then trained her guns on known Communist positions to harass PAVN forces. Here she destroyed large-caliber guns, bunkers, caves and trenches. Camden, New Jersey, USA - June 14, 2015: Battleship New Jersey (also know as :USS New Jersey, BB-62; "Big J" or "Black Dragon) is an Iowa-class battleship that served during World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Lebanese Civil War. [31] Also included in her modernization were upgrades to radar and fire control systems for her guns and missiles, and improved electronic warfare capabilities. Uss New Jersey Pictures, Images and Stock Photos [57] Overnight encampments, typically for the benefit of Scouting organizations, offer the opportunity to sleep and eat in the original berths and mess decks. During the next two summers she crossed the Atlantic with midshipmen on board for training, and during the rest of the year sharpened her skills with exercises and training maneuvers along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean. Both teams submitted plans to operate and maintain the battleship as a museum. She accounted for six bunkers, a supply truck and an anti-aircraft site that day; additionally, she helped rescue the crew of a Marine spotting plane forced down at sea by anti-aircraft fire. The next day she started a three-day saturation of the Changjon area, with one of her own helicopters spotting the results: four buildings destroyed, road junctions smashed, railroad marshaling yards afire, tracks cut and uprooted, coal stocks scattered, and many buildings and warehouses set blazing. Big J's Volunteers were awarded the 2003. The task force rendezvoused with Captain Jasper T. Acuff and his fueling group 17 December with the intention of refueling all ships in the task force and replacing lost aircraft. When reactivated in 1968, New Jersey had her 20mm and 40mm AA guns removed and was tailored for use as a heavy bombardment ship. 10 to 2 pm EVENING ENGINE ROOM GUIDED TOUR Descend into the armored citadel of the ship for a 90-minute, family friendly, guided, walking tour of the most powerful engineering plant ever installed on a battleship. USS New Jersey (BB-16) - Wikipedia She returned to Norfolk 15 October, and 14 December arrived at New York Naval Shipyard for inactivation. New Jersey shot down a plane diving on Cabot and hit another plane which smashed into Cabot's port bow. New Jersey responded by closing on the formation and succeeded in sinking eleven of the craft before they could beach. [5] [6] [7] New Jersey ' s construction reached pressure hull completion in February 2021. [28], Section 1011 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 1996 required the United States Navy to reinstate to the Naval Vessel Register two of the Iowa-class battleships that had been struck by the Navy in 1995; these ships were to be maintained in the United States Navy reserve fleets (or "mothball fleet"). Declassified 23 April 1980. [8], New Jersey began her career as a flagship 4 February in Majuro Lagoon when Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, commanding the 5th Fleet, broke his flag from her main. New Jersey returned to Wonsan 18 July for an exhibition of perfect firing: five gun emplacements demolished with five direct hits. [8] Relieved as flagship by Wisconsin, New Jersey cleared Yokosuka for Hawaii, Long Beach and the Panama Canal, and returned to Norfolk 20 December for a six-month overhaul. Immediate Past Chairman Marshall Spevak Trustees Joseph Azzolina, Jr. Food Circus Supermarkets, Inc. Brian Bauerle Cooper's Ferry Partnership Captain Joseph Benton III