Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 96795:  Saluting the Colors as USS Missouri is commissioned, 11 June 1944

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Missouri (BB-63) --
Construction and Commissioning, 1941-1944

USS Missouri was built at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York. Her keel was laid on 6 January 1941. She was christened just over three years later, on 29 January 1944. After launching, she was completed rapidly, commissioning on 11 June of the same year, the last battleship to enter active service in the United States Navy.

This page features views of USS Missouri under construction in 1941-44 and of her commissioning ceremonies on 11 June 1944. It also provides a link to pictures of the ship's launching.

For pictures of USS Missouri's launching, see:

  • USS Missouri (BB-63) -- Launching, 29 January 1944.

    For links to further picture coverage on USS Missouri, see the ship's cover page:

  • USS Missouri (BB-63), 1944-1998 -- Selected Views.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 96796

    USS Missouri (BB-63)


    Driving the first rivet, during keel laying ceremonies at the New York Navy Yard, 6 January 1941.
    Rear Admiral Clark Woodward, Commandant of the Navy Yard, (second from right) did the honors on this occasion.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 108KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 93234

    New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York


    Aerial photograph, taken 9 March 1944.
    USS Missouri (BB-63) is fitting out in the center.
    Carrier at the bottom is probably USS Bennington (CV-20).

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 96795

    USS Missouri (BB-63)


    Crewmen and other attendees salute the colors, as the ship is placed in commission. Ceremonies were held at the New York Navy Yard on 11 June 1944.
    Photographed from the battleship's after deck, with 16-inch gun turret Number Three in the foreground.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-K-3858 (Color)

    USS Missouri (BB-63)


    Commissioning ceremonies, at the New York Navy Yard, 11 June 1944.
    Photographed looking aft from atop her Number Three 16-inch gun turret.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 104KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     

    For pictures of USS Missouri's launching, see:

  • USS Missouri (BB-63) -- Launching, 29 January 1944.

    For links to further picture coverage on USS Missouri, see the ship's cover page:

  • USS Missouri (BB-63), 1944-1998 -- Selected Views.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 23 January 1999
    Coding updated 21 July 2002