USS Alabama – Then and Now
The USS Alabama (BB-60) is a South Dakota Class Battleship, launched on April 16, 1942. It served during World War II in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
The Alabama served in British waters protecting supply convoys to the Soviet Union.
Later it joined U.S. forces fighting in the Pacific. It was involved in the Gilbert Island, Marshall Islands, and Marianas Islands campaigns, and in the Battles of the Philippine Sea and Okinawa.
The Alabama was awarded nine battle stars for her service.
On January 9, 1947, the Alabama was decommissioned. Her last journey under her own power was to the United States Pacific Reserve Fleet at Bremerton, Washington. She remained there until removed from the Naval Vessel Register on June 1, 1962.
However, that was not the end of her life. Some citizens of the State of Alabama formed a ‘USS Alabama Battleship Commission’ with the aim of raising funds to preserve the Alabama as a memorial to the men and women who served their nation during World War II.
The money, including $100,000 raised by schoolchildren in the form of nickels and dimes, and a $1,000,000 corporate donation, was found, and the Alabama was awarded to the state on June 16, 1964. She was formally handed over at a ceremony in Seattle on July 7.
She was then towed to Mobile Bay, Alabama, where she lies in Battleship Memorial Park. It opened as a museum on January 9, 1965. She was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
The Alabama is one of the most well-known American ships of World War II. The 1992 movie Under Siege, starring Steven Seagal, featured it, though not by name.
Though the action in the film is supposed to have occurred on board the Missouri, the Alabama is actually shown in most of the battleship scenes.
######################################################################################
Military Humor –
######################################################################################
Farewell Salutes –
Carlton Blackmore – Westfield, NJ; US Army, WWII, Captain
John Cleary Jr. – Bronx, NY; US Army, Korea
Allan Dally – Hawke’s Bay NZ; RNZ Army # 056129, WWII, East Coast Mounted Rifles
Harold Gordon – New Bern, NC; US Merchant Marine, WWII & Korea, radioman
Fred Johnson – Park City, UT; US Navy, WWII, PTO, USS Snowbell (AN-52)
Larry Jordal – Sisseton, SD; US Army, Korea
Stanley Levine – Cincinnati, OH; US Army, WWII
Richard Rose – Battle Creek, MI; US Air Force
William J. Simon Jr. – W.Scranton, PA; US Army, Korea, 187th RCT
Marcey Jack Wilson – Wichita Falls, TX; US Navy, WWII
####################################################################################
Posted on December 19, 2016, in Current News, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, ancestry, family history, History, Military, Military History, Navy, Pacific, USS Alabama, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 80 Comments.
Paid a visit to this mighty battleship a few years back. A great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can just imagine!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Learn something new every day, I figured it was the Mighty Mo having recently been decommissioned in Under Siege so this is interesting to learn about the Alabama.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very Regal ending to the USS Alabama’s life, and most importantly, the people of America got behind the venture of saving here for posterity.
One wonders if the America Patriotism would arise to the occasion in today’s world.
Hope your Christmas was great gp, best wishes for the New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I fail to see the strength and stamina of that era in most of our Millennials I’m afraid. They’ve had it too easy – so many live with mom & dad still, etc. Not to say that we don’t have those that have the grit, just not like before. These endless wars will only bring back the protests of Nam I’m afraid.
Christmas was busy, but quiet – if that makes any sense!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The statue of the woman looking out to the sea is wonderful! Do you happen to know who did it?
LikeLiked by 2 people
The New Hampshire Marine Memorial was brought about by the father of Captain William D. Downs who fought and died during WWII in the Pacific. She can certainly give me chills just looking at her. Thank you for noticing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
AWESOME video
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you liked it.
LikeLike
It’s wonderful that the Alabama has been preserved. So many historic ships and buildings been lost across the years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, Sheryl. We must preserve what is left so that we teach the future. Have a wonderful holiday season!!
LikeLike
LikeLike
Even today after so many years out of service she’s looking pretty impressive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that the truth. I just couldn’t pass up on this article!
LikeLike
Wonderful to read about the preservation and that people do hold power!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well put, Christy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish you a wonderful Christmas, GP! Thank you for all you do throughout the year with your posts here xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Christy! I do hope you and your family have everything you wish for and then some!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I toured the Alabama a few years ago. Very interesting to see. Drone videos are amazing.
LikeLike
But they can’t do her justice, can they?
LikeLike
No. They can’t convey the scale, especially the guns.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t THAT the truth!
LikeLike
I’ve only been in that area a couple of times, and had no idea the battleship was there. I have toured the Battleship Texas that’s moored here, and it’s quite an experience. The size is amazing. The USS Lexington’s in Corpus Christi, but it’s an aircraft carrier: different, but equally interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is hard to do these old girls justice until you actually walk up to one at the dock – right?!!
LikeLike
I’m from out back in Australia mate. But you know there are no battleships down under. We have only got good old ships like the HMAS Diamantina at the Queensland Maritime Museum. She is just a smaller version of the lucky A!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The old gals are still grand, eh?
LikeLike
Reblogged this on KCJones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Penny. You give me Christmas gifts like this all year long!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the comment and thank you for writing great blogs
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 2 people
Whoa! Is that impressive or what?!! I should have looked for this video, eh?!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very interesting, next time I watch the film I’ll think about the actual history the ship has lived through.
Love the humour one with the planes trying to park 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s a grand ship with a proud history.
Glad a gave you a smile as well!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful Success story! She looks marvellous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s a grand old lady with a proud history!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Three cheers to the people of Alabama, who had the foresight and will power to preserve the battleship, thus saving something of great historical value!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So well said, Peter! With each particle of history preserved, it is a lesson for the future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
GP, The USS Alabama deserves her new berth in Mobile! We had a similar commission years back for the USS New Jersey, now permanently docked in Camden, NJ. And my chance to wish you the Merriest Christmas & Cheer in 2017!!! Phil
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Phil. I’ve been hoping you’d stop by.
Any new post soon?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sending this on to friends and hope they sign on as regular readers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sheila. Even if they don’t, I’m sure they’ll enjoy seeing the USS Alabama !
LikeLike
Sent this to ;friends in Alabama. Hope they sign on to your blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a beautiful arch over time. Very nice subject! Catalin
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful way to put it, Catalin. Thank you.
LikeLike
Very interesting and would be something to see!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well – if you’re ever in the area. [or any other ship preserved, for that matter.]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will keep it in mind because would be great to see!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ll be overwhelmed by their actual size!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know how I like it when I see history being preserved. Thanks for sharing as I will visit if I’m in that area.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’d really enjoy the tour, Bev! I do know you!!
LikeLike
I haven’t been on the Alabama but one thing that always impresses me is the sheer size of battleships, G. It’s easy to get lost. 🙂 I am off to check out the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut today where Tony oversees the cadets that want to fly. The US sub base is nearby but I doubt I’ll make it there. –Curt
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shake as many hands as you can for me, Curt and thank Tony for me especially! I sure hope you’ve got a camera handy!?! You don’t think you’ll have time to see the sub base?
LikeLike
Bit later here, G. Peggy and I are now in Boston. The Cadets had already left for the holidays but we wandered around the campus. No time for the sub base this time. –Curt
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a shame you won’t see the sub base, but you are certainly the busy ones!! Hope you enjoyed your stay in New England and have a great holiday season!
LikeLike
I visited this ship in Mobile several years ago . A great claustrophobia experience below decks ! Now that you post it , I’ll make plans to go again sometime .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to hear from someone who has seen her, Dan! Tell us more when you’ve got the time.
LikeLike
I always wondered about the ship in ‘Under Siege’. Now I know!
Looks like a great museum to visit. We have quite a few museum ships over here too.
These links to just some of them may interest your readers.
http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutty_Sark
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Alliance_(P417)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Cavalier_(R73)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Victory
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Warrior_(1860)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Great_Britain
http://www.maryrose.org/
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s going to take me a little while to get through all these, but get through them I will!! It’s great to be proud of your military!! Thanks for the links, Pete.
LikeLike
Fascinating GP. I would love to visit the historical vessel. The Veterans Memorial Park In this region has recently been able to acquire a Tank from world war 2 soon to be on display. Very excited !
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are to HAVE to take a slew of pictures!! That is exciting news!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely will! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You just made my day, Hollie!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just read the article about the parks acquisition of the tank a couple of days ago. I have lost the article but I believe it is a Sherman Tank. Will keep you posted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Please do!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You really know how to make your post interesting !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I’m just glad you found this interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I ever have the chance, I will visit this memorial. I’ve toured a few ships, and I always find the visits fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s a beaut!!
LikeLike
I live not far from Mobile and I been to the Alabama a couple of times….fascinating….thanx for posting…chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
She is a lady to remember!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed…she beautiful sitting there standing guard…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alie and I were in Mobile on the Alabama in 2001. It was well worth the visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s a grand lady!!
LikeLike
Without giving away my age but my sentiments. The Alabama is a gunners delight. Unfortunately due to promotions and circumstances I was transferred from guns to artillery field intelligence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t worry, I have no idea of your age. haha
LikeLike
PS. Give us a story when you have a chance!!
LikeLike
Pingback: The Weekly Headlines – My Daily Musing