| USS Iowa (BB-61) commissioning ceremonies on the ship’s after deck, at the New York Navy Yard. Note Mark 38 main battery director with Mark 8 fire control radar on top, 16-inch (406 millimeter)/50-caliber triple gun turret, freshly raised National Ensign, and incomplete condition of some features of the ship’s after superstructure. The 3rd Iowa (BB-61) was laid down at New York. Navy Yard, June 27, 1940; launched August 27, 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Ilo Wallace (March 10, 1888 – February 22, 1981), wife of Vice President Henry A. Wallace (October 7, 1888 – November 18, 1965), and commissioned February 22, 1943, United States Navy Captain John L. McCrea (May 29, 1891 – January 25, 1990) in command. Contrary to the ship’s official history, she did not leave for her shakedown cruise immediately after commissioning. By March 1, 1943, an average of 5,000 civilian workers were working around the clock in 8-hour shifts to complete fitting out in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. On March 24, USS Iowa was drydocked in Bayonne, New Jersey, for a 5-day yard period. On April 12, USS Iowa began sea trials. USS Iowa moved to Hampton Roads for her shakedown cruise in May 1943. She got underway, 27 August for Argentia, Newfoundland to neutralize the threat of German Battleship Tirpitz which was reportedly operating in Norwegian waters. In the fall, Iowa carried United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945) to Casablanca, French Morocco on the 1st leg of his journey to the Teheran Conference in November. After the conference she returned the President to the United States. As Flagship of Battleship Division 7, Iowa departed the United States January 2, 1944, for the Pacific Theatre and her combat debut in the campaign for the Marshalls. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1902.jpg |
| Image Size | 2.17 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5735 x 4545 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | February 22, 1943 |
| Location | |
| City | New York |
| State or Province | New York |
| Country | United States |
| Archive | Naval History and Heritage Command |
| Record Number | 80-G-K-825 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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