The USS Missouri (BB-63) isn’t just a battleship. She’s a legend. She fought in World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm.
But her biggest moment? Hosting Japan’s formal surrender, ending World War II. That alone cemented her place in history.
She survived kamikaze attacks. Launched cruise missiles in Iraq. Escorted oil tankers through the Persian Gulf.
Nicknamed, ‘The Mighty Mo‘, the USS Missouri wasn’t just built for war—she defined it.
A Battleship Designed for Power
Commissioned on June 11, 1944, the USS Missouri was the last battleship the U.S. ever built. By then, aircraft carriers were taking over naval warfare, but Missouri still made her mark in the 7th and 3rd Fleets.
At 887 feet long and 108 feet wide, she was massive—but fast. Her four General Electric steam turbines and eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers pushed her to 32.5 knots (37.4 mph). She had a 15,000 nautical mile range, making her a long-distance powerhouse in the carrier task force.
But the real showstopper: Her weapons. They’re devastating.
Firepower: The Guns That Shaped Battles
Missouri’s main event: nine 16-inch (406mm) guns. Each turret could fire 2,700-pound shells at 2,690 feet per second, striking targets 24 miles away. One shot could leave a 50-foot crater—pure devastation.
That wasn’t all. She carried:
- 20 five-inch (127mm) dual-purpose guns
- 80 Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft guns
- 49 20mm anti-aircraft guns
She could take on anything—warships, aircraft, land targets. No one wanted to be on the receiving end.
World War II: From Iwo Jima to Tokyo Bay
Missouri entered the war at a crucial moment.
She bombarded enemy positions at Iwo Jima (February 1945) and Okinawa (April 1945)—the bloodiest battle in the Pacific.
On April 11, 1945, a Japanese kamikaze smashed into her starboard side. The explosion shook the ship. Fire broke out. But the damage? Minimal. Missouri stayed in the fight.
Then came September 2, 1945—the moment that made her immortal.
The War Ends on Missouri’s Deck
Japan surrendered aboard the USS Missouri.
With Germany already defeated and Japan reeling from the atomic bombings, surrender was inevitable. In Tokyo Bay, on Missouri’s deck, Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed the surrender documents.
The ceremony lasted 23 minutes. General Douglas MacArthur, Admiral William Halsey, Admiral Chester Nimitz, and leaders from the U.S., Britain, and Allied forces stood alongside.
Missouri, just a year into service, had already secured her place in history.
Life Aboard the USS Missouri
For the 2,700 sailors on board, life was intense.
- Daily drills: Battle practice, gun maintenance, and emergency response training.
- Crew roles: Officers managed carrier screens, gunners manned the turrets, and engineers kept the ship running.
- Training: New sailors drilled for daylight attacks, submarine evasion, and amphibious landings.
Every day was preparation. Every sailor had a mission.
USS Missouri in Modern Warfare
Even after decommissioning, Missouri’s influence didn’t fade.
- Aircraft carriers & missile warfare: By the 1980s, the U.S. Navy had shifted focus. But Missouri still had a role.
- Desert Storm (1991): She launched Tomahawk cruise missiles and provided naval gunfire support in Iraq.
- Influence on modern warships: Her long-range bombardment tactics shaped future destroyers and amphibious landing ships.
Even in retirement, she was setting the standard.
Cold War, Gulf War, and Beyond
Missouri wasn’t done after World War II.
- Korean War (1950-1953): She bombarded North Korean positions.
- 600-ship Navy program (1980s): Missouri was modernized with new missile systems.
- Gulf War (1991): She fired Tomahawk missiles at Iraqi targets, proving battleships still had a role in modern combat.
Missouri’s Upgrades & Tech Advancements
Over the years, she evolved.
- Weapons upgrades: From Bofors 40mm guns in WWII to 32 BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles in the 1980s.
- Radar & electronics: By the 1980s, she had cutting-edge tracking and missile guidance systems.
- Compared to other Iowa-class battleships: Missouri stood out, not just for firepower, but for history. She was there when WWII ended. That made her different.
Her Decommissioning
Decommissioned on March 31, 1992. For good this time.
The first time in 1955, after the Korean War. She sat in the reserve fleet for decades. Then came the 1980s. The U.S. needed firepower for its 600-ship Navy plan, so Missouri was back.
By 1986, she was fully modernized. Tomahawk missiles. Harpoon missiles. Advanced radar. Just in time for Desert Storm (1991). She launched Tomahawks, rained down naval gunfire on Iraq.
Then the war ended, and so did the battleship era. Carriers, subs, and guided missile destroyers took over. Missouri was decommissioned again in 1992. This time, it stuck.
But she wasn’t scrapped. She became a museum ship in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Still standing. Still legendary.
Missouri’s Second Life: Museum & Pop Culture Icon
Today, Missouri is docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, a floating museum under the USS Missouri Memorial Association. She sits near the USS Arizona Memorial, linking the beginning and end of America’s WWII involvement.
But she didn’t just stay in history books.
Hollywood moments:
- Under Siege (1992) – Steven Seagal fights terrorists aboard Missouri.
- Battleship (2012) – The Mighty Mo – with Rihanna – takes on aliens.
- Documentaries – WWII retrospectives, naval warfare specials, and more.
Cher’s music video scandal:
In 1989, Cher filmed “If I Could Turn Back Time” aboard Missouri. She performed in a revealing outfit while surrounded by sailors. The U.S. Navy later regretted allowing it, but the video became a pop culture moment.
Why the Mighty Mo Still Matters
Missouri is more than steel and firepower. She’s a symbol.
She bombarded Iwo Jima. She survived a kamikaze strike. She hosted the Japanese surrender. She launched missiles in Iraq.
Today, she sits in Pearl Harbor, a reminder of sacrifice, strength, and history.
Missouri wasn’t just a battleship. She was—and still is—an icon.
