Summary: The USS New Jersey, a storied Iowa-class battleship from World War Two, is set for a significant $10 million refurbishment aimed at preserving its legacy as a museum piece. This extensive project will include replacing 1,200 anodes and inspecting 160 through-hole openings, marking the first major maintenance and repainting effort in 32 years. The refurbishment, expected to take 60 days, is a testament to the commitment to maintain the battleship as a historical exhibit. The USS New Jersey's distinguished service history spans from impactful roles in the Pacific during World War II, through tours in the Korean War, and involvement in the Vietnam War, showcasing its strategic importance across decades. The preservation effort underscores the value placed on maintaining historical military assets for educational and memorial purposes, ensuring that the battleship remains an enduring symbol of American naval heritage.

Preserving Naval History: The USS New Jersey's Major Restoration Project

The USS New Jersey is scheduled for an extensive $10 million preservation-minded refurbishing that will include replacing 1,200 anodes and inspecting 160 through-hole openings. The New Jersey, a heralded Iowa-class battleship built during World War Two, may not seem like the ideal candidate for a $10 million investment. But the investment is being made in an effort to preserve the New Jersey as a museum piece – a role she has been filling for three decades.

The refurbishment “ensures that [the New Jersey’s} legacy continues, offering onlookers and enthusiasts a unique opportunity to witness its journey and contribute through tours and donations to the restoration process,” National Interest contributor Maya Carlin wrote.

“The battleship will undergo routine maintenance, repairs, and repainting for the firs ttime in 32 years, a job that will cost $10 million, the Maritime Examiner reported. “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.”

The History of the USS New Jersey Battleship

The New Jersey was commissioned in 1943 and immediately deployed from her site of construction, the Philadelphia Naval Yard, westward to push back against the advancements of Imperial Japan. The New Jersey made a celebrated contribution to the US’s Pacific war effort, earning more battle stars for combat actions that any of the other three Iowa-class battleships. The New Jersey earned her battle stars in a variety of confrontations, such as, shelling targets on Guam and Okinawa and screening aircraft carriers as they conducted raids on the Marshall Islands.

After World War II, the New Jersey served two tours in the Korean War, again demonstrating her value. Stationed off the coast of the Korean Peninsula, New Jersey fired her 16-inch guns to great effect, exceeding the range of land artillery, and enhancing the UN’s ability to provide cover for ground actions. When the Korean War concluded, the New Jersey was decommissioned and transferred to the reserve fleet. However, the decommissioning would not mean the end of the New Jersey’s service life.

Resurrected for Vietnam

In an effort to stem US aircraft losses during the Vietnam War, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara prompted the recommissioning of the New Jersey. The New Jersey was chosen for recommissioning over her Iowa-class sisters because she had undergone an extensive overhaul just before being retired and accordingly was in the best condition of all the Iowas.

Once recommissioning, the New Jersey became the only Iowa-class battleship to fire upon targets during the Vietnam War. Actually, once recommissioned, the New Jersey became the world’s only active battleship, offering a glimpse into the past of naval warfare.

After Vietnam, the New Jersey was again decommissioned. And yet again, the New Jersey was recommissioned – this time at the prompting of President Ronald Reagan, in his efforts to create a 600-vessel navy capable of deterring Soviet aggression.

The New Jersey was decommissioned for good in 1991 and has served as a museum piece ever since. But in the years since, the New Jersey has fallen into disrepair.

“We’re way overdue and are moving forward now because it will be more expensive every year we wait,” said Marshall Spevak of the Homeport Alliance, in reference to the New Jersey. Hopefully, with the proper maintenance, the New Jersey will be able to continue serving as a museum piece indefinitely.

About the Author: Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 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.