USS West Virginia BB 48

The USS West Virginia BB 48 was a Colorado-class battleship that was launched from the Newport News Shipbuilding Company in Newport News, Virginia on November 17th, 1921 and was sponsored by a Miss Alice Wright Mann who was the daughter of Isaac T. Mann, a prominent West Virginian. The ship was commissioned on December 1st, 1923 under the command of Captain Thomas J. Senn. The West Virginia had the nickname “Wee Vee” which was a slight variation from the state initials, W. V. meaning West Virginia. Soon after being fitted out, she set to sea and quickly became the flagship of the Battleship Division’s Battle Fleet on October 30th 1924 and was known by her shipmates as the “backbone of the fleet.” She later won the American Defense Cup which was the highest rank for a battleship, given by the American Defense Society.

The West Virginia was hit hard with several torpedoes by the Japanese during their well organized attack on Pearl Harbor. Afterwards, she headed on her own strength to Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington for extensive repairs. On her way once again on October 12th, 1944 to prepare for the invasion of the Philippine Islands, the West Virginia sailed under the command of Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf. The West Virginia entered the South China Sea on the morning of January 5th, 1945 where she was charged with defending the carriers during the day from Japanese air attacks. Subsequently, the battleship moved close inshore with the carriers outside to carry out a bombardment mission on San Fernando Point. The USS West Virginia hammered Japanese installations ashore with her 16-inch (406 mm) rifles and even among the fierce kamikaze attacks, was able to successfully carry out her mission.

Between February and June of 1945 the West Virginia participated in the Battle of Okinawa as well as the invasion of Iwo Jima where she bombarded the island shorelines and provided fire support for landing American ground forces. The West Virginia was decommissioned on January 9th, 1947 and placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet where she remained inactive until being officially struck from the Naval Vessel Register on March 1st, 1959. The USS West Virginia BB 48 received five battle stars for her service in World War II.

The USS West Virginia BB 48 and her crewmembers were in danger from different threats during its powerful career, but the perils from violent weather or enemy attacks weren’t the only dangers that the crew faced. Asbestos fibers were widely utilized within ships and submarines during this period in industrial history and the crews of these ships were at serious risk of inhaling these deadly airborne asbestos particles. Asbestos was used at the time in the construction of insulation, more accurately the insulation of piping. Mesothelioma cancer has been proven to be linked to asbestos exposure. Crewmembers of the USS West Virginia BB 48 who are concerned they may have been exposed to asbestos should carefully monitor their respiratory health and seek mesothelioma treatment if they are diagnosed with this aggressive type of disease.

Last modified: December 09 2009.