USS Idaho
USS Idaho (BB-42) was a New Mexico-class battleship named for the 43rd state. She was the fourth vessel to bear the name Idaho, but the previous three were used for only short periods of duty in the 1800’s or at the beginning of WW I. Idaho (BB-42) was commissioned in March 1919 and began her tour of duty by carrying the President of Brazil, Epitacio Pessoa, from New York City to his home in Rio de Janeiro. She then joined the Pacific fleet and was part of a Fleet Review done by President Woodrow Wilson in September. She spent several years in the Pacific on training runs from Alaska, to Hawaii, to New Zealand.
In 1931, Idaho sailed to Norfolk for modernization. She received new anti-aircraft guns, improved armor, and more antisubmarine protection during the overhaul and was prepared for many more years of service. As the threat of war in Europe increased in the 1930’s, the Navy intensified its training runs and Idaho was involved in regular exercises throughout this period. In September 1941 she arrived in Iceland to help protect American bases, and remained there until the attack on Pearl Harbor propelled the US into war.
Idaho was part of many operations during WW II including driving the Japanese out of the Aleutian Islands and providing support for the invasion of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. She also carried out pre-invasion bombardments of Saipan and Guam and played a vital role in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Idaho had a large part in weakening Japanese carrier air power and protecting trade and transport routes in the area.
In October, 1944, the Idaho’s guns were replaced during an overhaul in Washington State. She was ready for the next large assault of the war: the invasion of Iwo Jima. By February 1945, she was in position and blasting the enemy with her mighty guns. From there she sailed to Okinawa for the final assault of the war in the Pacific. The Japanese made desperate attempts to drive the fleet away by sending suicide pilots to crash into the ships. The Idaho gunners shot down many planes and she was slightly damaged by a near miss.
On August 27, Idaho entered Tokyo Bay carrying occupation forces and witnessed the surrender signing on the Missouri on September 2. She returned to the US where she was decommissioned in 1946 and sold for scrap in 1947.
The crew men who worked aboard the Idaho were party to many proud moments. Sadly, they were also unknowingly exposed to a danger they were unaware of while going about their duties. The Idaho was built with asbestos as one of the main insulators of her pipes and electrical systems. Therefore, the men who lived and worked aboard the Idaho were exposed to a material now known to cause respiratory problems. Anyone who thinks he may have developed such a condition, including mesothelioma, a type of cancer, is urged to see a thoracic specialist for evaluation.
