USS California (BB-44)

History of USS California (BB-44)

During World War II (1939-1945), the USS California (BB-44) was one of the key components of the US Navy's advance towards Tokyo, Japan. Despite her most notable contributions to that war, the ship was actually a product of World War I (1914-1918) and was laid before the United States was formally engaged in the conflict. She became a Pearl Harbor veteran, survived the Japanese attack in December 1941, and was fully modernized in 1942, essentially becoming an entirely new combat platform.

Like many other American warships, the USS California became a prominent participant and survivor of World War II. In the age of aircraft carriers and attack submarines, the weathered and aging workhorse no longer needed its service, the ship was stripped of useful parts, and her hull was sold in the early days of the Cold War.

During World War I (1914-1918), the U.S. government authorized the construction of a new two-man battleship group called the Tennessee-class. The group included lead ship USS Tennessee (BB-43) and her sister USS California (BB-44).

The latter was ordered on December 28, 1915, and was built by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California. Her keel was laid on October 25, 1916, and she was set to sea on November 20, 1919 - shortly after the armistice was signed to end fighting in Europe.

In any case, the ship was commissioned on August 10, 1921. Her buildings on the west coast of the United States gave her easy access to the vital Pacific region, although her designs allowed her to reach the east coast via the Panama Canal. Her initial service was with the Pacific Fleet/Battleship Fleet, where she served as flagship for 20 years (1921-1941). Compared to the fighting of the last world war, this period was relatively quiet, and their duties ranged from goodwill stops and joint service exercises (army and navy) to general artillery and crew training.

In 1929, her weapons were updated. In May 1940, she received a radar suitable for a decisive advantage on the battlefield. She was sent to Hawaii amid growing tensions in the Pacific with Imperial Japan.

The USS California was in the waters off Hawaii when everything fell into an all-out war between the two nations. The Japanese carried out a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor to weaken the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and the USS California became one of many ships in the "Battleship Platoon" in the attack.

The attack began on December 7, 1941, and officially pushed the United States into World War II on the Allied side.

During the attack, California fired two torpedoes, causing havoc and causing other flooding problems. The situation was made worse by a bomb that hit her deck directly, triggering an ammunition depot and claiming the lives of about 50 sailors. In addition to the flooding, the damaged warship and her crew now have to deal with the spreading fire. In total, California lost a hundred sailors and wounded more than sixty in the attack.

However, despite being badly damaged and flooded enough to sink to the bottom of the harbour, she can still be repaired. A plan to launch her began in late March 1942 when her hull was lifted to dry dock for important repair work.

After the ship was patched to make it seaworthy, California went to Washington's Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for wider repairs. Some of her systems have been completely replaced by more modern solutions, and her image has changed forever as her two chimneys are merged into a single, more efficient structure. Her anti-aircraft protection has been improved, and her Fire Control System (FCS) has also been upgraded.

The new cubicle arrangement also addresses flood protection. California also got a revised bar that barred her from passing through the Panama Canal, ensuring her future combat missions are now primarily in the Pacific theater.

The USS California did not enter service until late January 1944. While her new system and overall design were put to the test, she completed a sea trial cruise off the coast of California.

Their first action was to support the Allied invasion of the Marianas, where their powerful main guns were used against enemy positions inland - these guns were used to "pacify" the enemy before an amphibious assault. She was also used during the U.S. attacks on Guam and Tinian in July and August.

From there, California was asked to support the operation to retake the Philippines. Participated in the Battle of Surigao Strait in October 1944. The Allies were victorious, liberating Leyte Island in the process and ultimately leading to the liberation of the entire Philippine archipelago.

The victory also took away a vital oil supply from the Japanese war machine.

In January 1945, the USS California was the victim of a Japanese kamikaze attack that killed 44 sailors and injured 155. Repairs were done as much as possible to keep them ready for battle without removing them from war entirely.

The California remained until the end of the month, after which she was sent back to Puget Sound for much-needed repairs.

The USS California was then deployed again to support the Allied landings on Okinawa, one of the last springboards on the Japanese mainland. She began this war journey in June 1944 and stayed until July 21. As a member of Task Force 95, she entered the East China Sea for other work until the Japanese surrender in mid-August. California was recalled to Okinawa via the Philippines in September and supported Allied landings in Honshu.

She stayed at the station until October 15th.

Ultimately recalled by the United States, the USS California arrived in Philadelphia on 7 December 1945 along the east coast of the United States via Singapore, Ceylon and South Africa, exactly four years after the Japanese raid on the Pearl. She entered reserve status on August 7, 1946, and officially retired on February 14, 1947her service to a grateful nation is now complete. Her presence was removed from the Naval Register on March 1, 1959, officially ending her career in the U.S. Navy.

Her hull was sold as scrap on July 10, 1959.

During its mission, USS California has claimed seven Battle Stars, as well as the World War II Victory Medal and the Navy Career Service Medal (with Asia Clasp). During her sea voyages, she was affectionately known as "The Prune Barge".

Her sister ship, the USS Tennessee (BB-43), performed equally well, becoming a proven veteran in her own right, earning 10 battle stars, awards and medals. She was also sold as scrap -- the same day as her sister, the USS California.

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