On December 30, 1986, the USS New Jersey—one of the most powerful battleships ever built—put on a breathtaking display of naval might. Captured in an unforgettable aerial view, the battleship unleashed a simultaneous salvo from her nine massive 16-inch/50-caliber Mark 7 guns.
The sight was awe-inspiring, with fiery plumes erupting from both port and starboard sides as the guns roared in unison. Each shell, weighing up to 2,700 pounds, could travel over 20 miles, delivering devastating firepower. This moment highlighted the sheer might and precision of the Iowa-class battleships, which were designed to dominate the seas during World War II but continued to serve through the Cold War.
The USS New Jersey (BB-62), affectionately known as “Big J,” had been recommissioned in the 1980s as part of President Reagan’s naval expansion. Her demonstration of firepower on this day showcased her readiness for modern combat and her status as a symbol of American naval supremacy. Even as the era of battleships waned, this iconic moment solidified the USS New Jersey’s place in naval history as one of the greatest warships ever to sail the oce
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ans.The USS New Jersey (BB-62), also known as “Big J,” is one of the most iconic battleships in U.S. naval history. As an Iowa-class battleship, she was built to be fast, powerful, and versatile, embodying the pinnacle of mid-20th-century naval engineering. Launched on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the New Jersey served as a critical asset during multiple conflicts.
Her career spanned four major wars: World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Lebanese Civil War in the 1980s. Throughout her service, she showcased her immense firepower, equipped with nine 16-inch guns capable of firing shells over 20 miles, as well as a wide array of smaller-caliber guns and, later, modern missiles.
During World War II, the New Jersey served in the Pacific theater, providing vital fire support during island-hopping campaigns. In the Korean War, she continued her legacy by bombarding enemy positions along the Korean Peninsula. By the Vietnam War, her role evolved to delivering powerful naval gunfire support for U.S. forces on land. In the 1980s, she was modernized under President Reagan's 600-ship Navy initiative, equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Harpoon missiles, making her a force to be reckoned with in modern warfare.
The New Jersey was decommissioned for the final time in 1991 after nearly five decades of service. Today, she stands as a museum ship in Camden, New Jersey, where visitors can explore her decks and learn about her rich history. The USS New Jersey remains a symbol of American strength and resilience, celebrated for her storied service and remarkable contributions to naval warfare.