Battleship South Dakota Memorial

05/25/2026

We honor Memorial Day 2026 and remember all who have fallen in defense of our nation.

“Let us make that day one of twofold dedication. Let us reverently honor those who have fallen in war, and rededicate ourselves through prayer to the cause of peace.”​ —Dwight D. Eisenhower

Photo- Wreath laying at the US Navy Memorial.

05/22/2026

83 years ago today (May 22, 1943)-

This impressive photo shows the the USS Alabama (BB-60) anchored in Scapa Flow on 22 May 1943, as seen looking over turret number II of the USS South Dakota (BB-57).

05/21/2026

71 years ago today (May 21, 1955)-
Yee Haw! During an Armed Forces Day tour of the Philadelphia Naval Base on 21 May 1955, a troop of Boy Scouts mount the 16-inch guns on the USS South Dakota (BB-57). It was the first time in history that visitors were permitted aboard the warship, famed as Battleship "X" in World War II.

05/20/2026

Thank you to Curtis Utz, Senior Historian at the Naval History & Heritage Command, for the following information. Battle stars are campaign unit awards, and there were three campaign ribbon areas in World War II: American Campaign, European/African/Middle East Campaign, and Asiatic/Pacific Campaign. Battle stars rank below the unit awards of Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) and Navy Unit Commendation (NUC). Any subdivisions (such as P27-1, P27-2, P27-3 to designate three actions in an operation) are counted together as one battle star. According to the 1953 Awards Manual (https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/n/navy-mc-awards-manual-rev1953.html), SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57) received a Navy Unit Commendation and 13 battle stars for the Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Ribbon. Mr. Utz says, “A NUC and 13 battle stars is a pretty high number for World War II, but the most decorated ship in WWII is ENTERPRISE (CV-6): a PUC, a NUC, and 20 battle stars for the Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Ribbon. NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55), per the 1953 Manual , received 12 battle stars for the Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Ribbon. She received neither a PUC or a NUC.”

05/20/2026

The biography of BB-57 crew member Calvin Graham--the youngest combat veteran of World War II--is newly published. Read the true story of his decades of fighting for an honorable discharge and VA benefits.

Calvin Graham: Combat Veteran at Age Twelve tells the unbelievable but true story of the youngest known combat veteran of World War II. With falsified documents signed by his mother and clothes borrowed from his older brother, Calvin Leon Graham enlisted in the United States Navy in August 1942. As

05/12/2026

83 years ago today- 12 May 1943

USS SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57) sailed from Argentia, Newfoundland. The ships of Task Force 61, which included USS ALABAMA (BB-60), rendezvoused at Scapa Flow on 19 May. They operated with the British Home Fleet in the North Atlantic, Arctic Circle, and North Sea, off Greenland, Iceland, and Norway.

Take a moment to watch this excellent footage showcasing the visit of Admiral Stark, lst Lord Alexander & their accompanying party as they visited the USS SOUTH DAKOTA at Scapa Flow Scotland, which also showcases Kingfisher aircraft being launched off the South Dakota's catapult, and the USS South Dakota and USS Alabama firing their 16-inch guns alongside each other.

Freely downloadable at the Internet Archive, where I first uploaded it. Naval Photographic Center film #1902. National Archives description "1) MS Men on bow...

05/11/2026

81 years ago today: 11 May 1945

The SOUTH DAKOTA received orders to sail to Guam for inspection and repairs on her propeller shafts and strut bearings to determine the cause of excessive vibration at high speeds. The ship had been steaming for 59 days and could not carry out routine boiler maintenance or correct engineering problems.

Did you know that the SOUTH DAKOTA's propeller shaft bearings were made from wood? The bearings were made from lignum vitae wood, which was common due to the woods natural oils that made it a perfect, friction-free, water-lubricated bearing.

The Battleship South Dakota Memorial has one of the SOUTH DAKOTA's 4 blade inboard propellers on display (photo). Standing 17ft 6in and weighing 18.2 tons, kids are dwarfed in comparison. The memorial is open year-round, and the museum is open May 1-Sept 30th. Family Friendly. Free Admission.

05/08/2026

Today, we celebrate “Victory in Europe Day”, also known as “VE Day”.

The 8th of May 1945 marked the day when German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms. It meant an end to nearly six years of a war that had cost the lives of millions; had destroyed homes, families, and cities; and had brought huge suffering and privations to the populations of entire countries.
Millions of people rejoiced in the news that Germany had surrendered, relieved that the intense strain of total war was finally over. In towns and cities across the world, people marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing.

In support of the war in Europe, the USS South Dakota (BB-57) and her sister ship, the USS Alabama (BB-60) operated in the North Atlantic between May and August 1943 to reinforce the British fleet, which had a temporary reduction in the strength of their home fleet due to Operation Husky; the Allied invasion of Sicily. During their time in the North Atlantic, they were used to (unsuccessfully) lure the German Battleship Tirpitz out hiding from Norwegian Fjords.

05/06/2026

81 years ago today: May 6, 1945.
A working party was hoisting ammunition aboard the USS SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57) when a tank of 16-inch H.C. powder exploded as the men were passing it into the magazine. The explosion and fire set off four other tanks, killing a total of 11 men (three sailors died instantly, and eight more died from injuries) and 24 other sailors received non-fatal injuries from the blast. A memorial service was held that evening. The SOUTH DAKOTA continued in action as her crew repaired the damage and later received repairs at dry dock.

05/02/2026

84 years ago today: 2 May 1942
Observation Squadron (VO) 6, Battleship South Dakota’s aviation unit, stood up at Floyd Bennett Field, New York, with an initial compliment of six pilots, 27 enlisted men, and three Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher aircraft.
The South Dakota (BB57) had 3 Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher aircraft and 2 catapults mounted on the stern of the vessel. The aircraft were used as spotters for the ships 16-inch guns, helping them hit the target at ranges much greater than the ship itself could see.