USS Pennsylvania (BB-38)

The USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was the lead ship of her class of United States Navy dreadnought battleships. She was commissioned in 1916 and served in both World War I and World War II.

During World War I, Pennsylvania served with the British Grand Fleet as part of Battleship Division Six. She did not see combat during this period.

Between the wars, Pennsylvania underwent modernization and served in various fleet exercises. She became the flagship of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in 1931.

At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Pennsylvania was in dry dock for maintenance. Although damaged by a torpedo, she was among the first ships to return to service.

Throughout World War II, Pennsylvania served extensively in the Pacific Theater, participating in numerous campaigns, including the Aleutian Islands campaign, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, the Philippines campaign, and the Battle of Okinawa. She provided crucial fire support for amphibious landings and engaged in surface actions.

Pennsylvania was heavily damaged by a kamikaze attack off Okinawa in August 1945, resulting in significant casualties. After the war, she was deemed beyond economical repair.

Pennsylvania was used as a target ship during the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946. She survived the tests but was heavily contaminated.

Pennsylvania was towed to Kwajalein Atoll and sunk in February 1948.

Her legacy lies in her extensive service, particularly her vital contributions to the U.S. war effort in the Pacific during World War II. She earned eight battle stars for her service.