Ship History
Built by Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, PA. Laid down September 16, 1940. Launched December 7, 1942. Comissioned May 23, 1943 with Captain Carl F. Holden in command. Nicknamed "Big J" or "Black Dragon". Afterwards, New Jersey completed fitting out and crew training in the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea.

Wartime History
Departed for the Pacific via the Panama Canal on January 7, 1944 before reaching Funafuti and joining the 5th Fleet. During January 29 - February 2, 1944 assigned to Task Group 58.2 and a screen for the aircraft carriers flying missions against Kwajalein and Eniwetok.

On February 4, 1944 became the flagship of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, commander of the 5th Fleet. Next, particiapted as part of the screening force involved in Operation Hailstone attacking Truk to support the American landings in the Marshall Islands. During the raid, New Jersey destroyed a trawler and with other ships helped sink Maikaze while also firing at Japanese aircraft. Afterwards, returns with the Task Force to the Marshalls on February 19, 1944.

On March 17, 1944 New Jersey departed on a war cruise USS Lexington (CV-16) and participated in a bombardment of Mille, then rejoined Task Group 58.2 for a strike against shipping off Palau and bombardment of Woleai. On April 10, 1944 ended the war cruise at Majuro, where Admiral Spruance transferred his flag to USS Indianapolis CA-35.

On April 13, 1944 departed Majuro, providing a screen for a carrier strike force providing air support for the landing at Aitape plus Tanahmerah Bay and Humboldt Bay off Hollandia. On April 22, 1944, departed for Truk and bombarded shipping and shore installations on April 29 to April 30, claiming two enemy torpedo bombers shot down off Truk. On May 1, 1944, bombarded Ponape destroying fuel tanks, badly damaging the airfield, and demolishing a headquarters building. On May 4, 1944 returned to Majuro ending the cruise.

After rehearsing in the Marshalls for the invasion of the Marianas, New Jersey put to sea 6 June in the screening and bombardment group of Admiral Marc A. Mitscher's Task Force. On the second day of preinvasion air strikes, 12 June, New Jersey shot down an enemy torpedo bomber, and during the next two days her heavy guns battered Saipan and Tinian, in advance of the marine landings on 15 June.

The Japanese response to the Marianas operation was an order to its mobile fleet, to attack and annihilate the American invasion force. Shadowing American submarines tracked the Japanese fleet into the Philippine Sea as Admiral Spruance joined his task force with Admiral Marc A. Mitscher's to meet the enemy. New Jersey took station in the protective screen around the carriers on 19 June 1944 as American and Japanese pilots dueled in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (Great Marianas Turkey Shoot). That day and the next would cripple Japanese naval aviation, the Japanese lost some 400 planes. This loss of trained pilots and aircraft was equaled in disaster by the sinking of the Japanese aircraft carriers Taihō and Shōkaku by the submarines Albacore and Cavalla, respectively, and the loss of Hiyō to aircraft launched from the light aircraft carrier Belleau Wood. In addition to these losses, Allied forces succeeded in damaging two Japanese carriers and a battleship. The anti-aircraft fire of New Jersey and the other screening ships proved virtually impenetrable; two American ships were slightly damaged during the battle. Only 17 American planes were lost in combat

New Jersey earned the US Navy Unit Commendation for service in Vietnam and nineteen battle and campaign stars for combat operations during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanese Civil War and Persian Gulf.

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Donated to the Home Port Alliance in Camden, New Jersey,. Starting on October 15, 2001 permenantly moored at Camden, New Jersey. Open to the public for tours administered by the USS New Jersey BB-62 Naval Museum (Battleship New Jersey).

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Last Updated
October 15, 2023