USS Missouri BB-63

First commissioned in June 1944, the USS Missouri BB-63, known endearingly as "Mighty Mo," was the last battleship built by the U.S. While she would only be involved in the final missions of World War II, the USS Missouri has the esteemed distinction of being the site of the official Japanese surrender in 1945. She would, years later, also play vital roles in both the Korean and Gulf Wars.

The USS Missouri in WWII

In her first missions of World War II, the USS Missouri housed high-ranking naval officers and then joined the Lexington carrier fleet, in which she was involved in air strikes on Japan. Following these missions, the USS Missouri:

• supported the invasion of Iwo Jima
• joined the "Yorktown carrier fleet" and aided in strikes on mainland Japan
• participated in the Okinawa invasion

After traveling about the Far East for a few other smaller missions, the USS Missouri returned to Okinawa to assist in further strikes and raids on this city. Subsequently, she:

• led the 3rd Fleet in bombardments of Tokyo, Honshu and Hokkaido
• aided in the crippling attack of the Japanese industrial steel and iron center

These operations directly contributed to the Japanese surrender about one month later in August 1945. The official signing of surrender papers took place aboard the USS Missouri. For her dedicated service in World War II, the USS Missouri earned three battle stars.

The USS Missouri after WWII

Unlike many of her fellow battleships, the USS Missouri would continue serving the Navy after the end of World War II. In fact, she was the first U.S. battleship to penetrate Korean waters during the beginning of the Korean War. Throughout this military engagement, the USS Missouri was highly active, performing a number of crucial missions until the end of the Korean War in 1953.

Although she was decommissioned soon after in 1955, she would be again re-commissioned in 1984 as part of Reagan's effort to increase the Naval Fleet to 600 ships. This 1984 re-commission was coupled with a dramatic overhaul that crucially modernized this battleship.

Newly outfitted, the USS Missouri was ready to aid in combat efforts progressing in the Persian Gulf. As part of her Gulf War duties, the USS Missouri supported the destruction of naval mines and participated in various combat missions. One year later, in March 1991, the USS Missouri returned to the U.S. She was decommissioned for the last time in 1992.

For her service in the Korean War, the USS Missouri earned five battle stars. She was also awarded three battle stars for her dedication and performance in the Gulf War.

Asbestos Exposure on the USS Missouri
Like other battleships constructed in the first half of the 20th Century, the USS Missouri contained a variety of parts and substances that contained harmful asbestos fibers.

Consequently, many of those who worked on the USS Missouri are at a higher risk of developing incurable asbestos diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Since asbestos diseases are, for the most part, fatal, anyone who has a history of working on the USS Missouri should contact us for more information and resources on asbestos exposure and its related diseases.