USS Arkansas (BB-33)

Arkansas (BB33). Port side, underway, 10-15-1912 - NARA - 513003

USS Arkansas (BB-33) 1920

Bundesarchiv Bild 102-10062, Kiel, US-Schlachtschiff "Arkansas"

USS Arkansas at 1927 naval review NARA 19-LC-19C

USS Arkansas (BB-33) - 80-G-229753

Normandy Invasion, June 1944 - 80-G-231250

USS Arkansas (BB-33) was a Wyoming-class battleship that served in the United States Navy from 1912 to 1946. As part of the United States Battleship Division, Arkansas saw extensive service during both World War I and World War II, participating in both Atlantic and Pacific theater operations.

Design and Construction

The USS Arkansas was laid down on 25 January 1910 at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey. She was the third ship of the Wyoming-class battleships, designed to be more heavily armed and armored than her predecessors. The Arkansas was launched on 14 January 1911 and commissioned into the Navy on 17 September 1912. The ship was equipped with twelve 12-inch (305 mm) guns in six twin turrets, and her armor was designed to withstand the impact of similar caliber shells.

Service History

World War I

During World War I, Arkansas served in the 6th Battle Squadron of the British Grand Fleet, participating in the blockade of the German High Seas Fleet. Although she did not engage in any major battles, her presence as part of the blockade helped to contain the German fleet.

Interwar Period

Following the war, Arkansas participated in various training exercises and cruises, including showing the flag in European waters. She underwent several modernizations during the 1920s and 1930s, which included updates to her armament, armor, and propulsion systems to keep her competitive with newer ships.

World War II

With the outbreak of World War II, Arkansas was initially stationed in the Atlantic, escorting convoys and participating in naval exercises. In 1944, she supported the Normandy landings (D-Day) by providing naval gunfire support to the troops ashore. Later, she was transferred to the Pacific Theater, where she participated in the bombardments of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, playing a crucial role in softening up Japanese defenses ahead of the amphibious landings.

Decommissioning and Fate

After the end of World War II, USS Arkansas was deemed surplus to the Navy's needs in the face of modern naval warfare technology. She was decommissioned on 29 July 1946 and subsequently used as a target ship for nuclear weapons tests during Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll. The ship was severely damaged by the tests and sank in the lagoon of the atoll, where she remains to this day.

Legacy

USS Arkansas (BB-33) is remembered as a workhorse of the United States Navy, serving with distinction across four decades and two global conflicts. Her service record stands as a testament to the durability and adaptability of early 20th-century battleship design.