USS Massachusetts

USS Massachusetts: The Mighty Big Mamie in World War II

The USS Massachusetts (BB-59) battleship from the South Dakota class known as “Big Mamie” served as a powerful force during World War II and received 11 battle stars for its operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific. After being commissioned in 1942 the battleship served as a pivotal force during major campaigns including the North African invasion and the final attacks on Japan. The USS Massachusetts (BB-59) demonstrated the U.S. Navy's oceanic power projection capabilities through its durable construction and powerful fire-control systems combined with its destructive firepower. The article examines the USS Massachusetts' design elements and distinct attributes while documenting its vital contributions during World War II and its continued preservation as a museum vessel.

Design of the USS Massachusetts

The USS Massachusetts (BB-59) represented the third South Dakota-class battleship which achieved a balance between firepower, armor protection, and speed under the 35,000-ton displacement restriction imposed by the 1930 Washington Naval Treaty. The USS Massachusetts began construction on July 20, 1939 at the Fore River Shipyard located in Quincy, Massachusetts and was launched on September 23, 1941 followed by its commissioning under Captain Francis E.M. Whiting on May 12, 1942. At 680 feet 10 inches long with a beam of 108 feet 2 inches and standard displacement of 35,980 tons (44,519 tons full load), Massachusetts presented a compact yet heavily armed design to meet naval requirements for a versatile battleship.

Nine 16-inch/45-caliber Mark 6 guns formed the primary weapon system mounted across three triple turrets distributed with two forward and one aft positions that could launch 2,700-pound armor-piercing shells to distances exceeding 23 miles. The firepower of Massachusetts matched that of larger Iowa-class battleships which positioned Massachusetts as a strong combatant. The secondary battery featured ten twin mounts with twenty 5-inch/38-caliber dual-purpose guns that could attack surface targets and aircraft effectively. The original anti-aircraft defense setup featured twelve 1.1-inch quadruple mounts and eight .50-caliber machine guns which was later expanded with additional 40 mm Bofors and 20 mm Oerlikon guns to defend against Japanese aircraft. Three Vought OS2U Kingfisher floatplanes served as reconnaissance aircraft and they were launched with two stern catapults.

The South Dakota-class ships showcased armor protection as their defining feature because they were designed to survive hits from 16-inch guns. The main belt armor measured 12.2 inches in thickness and was positioned at a 19-degree inclination to maximize resistance while the deck remained 1.5 inches thick and turret faces reached up to 18 inches in thickness. The ship's conning tower used 16-inch thick armor to protect command personnel. The “all or nothing” armor configuration concentrated protective materials on essential ship areas while deliberately left non-essential sections minimally armored to maintain optimal weight efficiency. With four Westinghouse geared steam turbines and eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers its propulsion system produced 130,000 shaft horsepower that enabled the ship to reach a maximum speed of 27.5 knots. The ship could travel 15,000 nautical miles at 15 knots before needing to refuel giving it the capacity for prolonged operations.

Treaty restrictions forced Massachusetts to adopt a shorter hull compared to North Carolina-class ships creating cramped crew quarters and reduced stability. The innovative engineering solution that positioned machinery below the armored deck allowed for maximized protection and firepower under displacement limits. The Massachusetts had a crew of 1,793 officers and enlisted men when it was commissioned which grew to over 2,300 by 1945 but despite their cramped quarters crew memoirs noted the presence of a soda fountain and library helped make living conditions bearable.

Unique Features and Technological Innovations

Massachusetts demonstrated exceptional combat performance due to its advanced fire-control systems combined with a compact but powerful build which respected treaty limitations. The combination of the Mark 38 fire-control system with the Ford Mark 1A fire-control computer resulted in unmatched precision for the 16-inch guns. The combination of optical rangefinders with CXAM-1 radar and later SK and SG models enabled accurate targeting capabilities under night conditions or limited visibility which proved essential during engagements like the Battle of Casablanca. The Mark 37 director controlled the secondary 5-inch guns which proved effective for anti-aircraft defense and surface attacks during Pacific kamikaze conflicts.

The South Dakota-class battleship featured a compact design which presented both advantages and problems. Massachusetts reached high power-to-weight ratios by installing Iowa-class firepower into a reduced-size hull yet faced operational problems from its cramped layout leading to overcrowding and maintenance challenges. The ship achieved better stability by distributing weight carefully and installing bilge keels which resolved initial worries about top-heaviness. By 1945 the ship possessed 35 quadruple 40 mm Bofors installations and 52 single 20 mm Oerlikons as part of its progressively enhanced anti-aircraft defenses.

Casco Bay, Maine hosted the intensive training that prepared the Massachusetts crew as a crucial element before their deployment. Captain Robert L. Nolan's personal accounts demonstrate how the crew maintained discipline and developed camaraderie through extended watches and regular drills. The crew affectionately called their ship “Big Mamie” because its reputation for dependability and combat effectiveness strengthened their bond with it. Later battleship designs including the Iowa-class benefitted from the Massachusetts's role as a testing platform for radar and gunnery advancements.

Key Roles in World War II Battles

Throughout its service in major campaigns the USS Massachusetts engaged in 35 combat operations while firing more than 15,000 5-inch and 2,200 16-inch shells and received 11 battle stars for its performance. During World War II Massachusetts operated across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans where it performed tasks ranging from invasion support to direct battles with enemy ships. The major battle roles played by the ship are listed below.

On November 1942 Massachusetts entered combat for the first time during Operation Torch when Allied forces invaded North Africa. After leaving Casco Bay on October 24 the ship became part of Task Group 34.1 to protect convoys heading to Casablanca. The Massachusetts ship fought against Vichy French forces including Jean Bart and the El Hank shore batteries during the November 8 Naval Battle of Casablanca. Under the command of Rear Admiral Robert C. Giffen Massachusetts launched 786 16-inch and over 200 5-inch rounds which achieved five hits on Jean Bart and disabled its 15-inch artillery while also damaging the destroyers Fougeux and Boulonnais that ultimately sank. Counterfire struck Massachusetts when a 7.6-inch shell hit its No. 2 turret. The Massachusetts ship suffered hits from a 7.6-inch shell that struck its No. 2 turret and a 5.3-inch shell that penetrated the deck but remained undamaged. Massachusetts gained early recognition after the battle where it became the sole instance of Massachusetts firing on another capital ship which helped secure Allied landings and ended Vichy naval resistance.

In March 1943 Massachusetts received repairs at Boston Navy Yard before proceeding to the Pacific Ocean to integrate with the Third Fleet stationed at Efate, New Hebrides. The ship operated as part of the Gilbert Islands campaign during Operation Galvanic in November 1943 to bombard Makin Atoll with battleships such as USS New Mexico. Between November 19–21 Massachusetts used its 16-inch guns to bombard Japanese fortifications to weaken enemy defenses for the 27th Infantry Division's landings. The vessel's anti-aircraft weapons defended against Japanese aircraft assaults to safeguard transports including the USS Monrovia. The successful operation on Makin signaled the beginning of America’s island-hopping strategy.

Massachusetts took part in Operation Flintlock during January to February of 1944 to attack the Kwajalein and Eniwetok Atolls within the Marshall Islands campaign. While operating under Task Force 58 the ship delivered bombardments against Japanese targets on January 30 to support the 4th Marine Division during their attack on Roi-Namur. The ship's 16-inch guns devastated bunkers and airfields with destruction while its 5-inch guns delivered direct support to advancing troops. The Massachusetts conducted bombardment operations against Eniwetok throughout February 17–18 which supported the 22nd Marines during their landing operations. Guided by radar and spotter aircraft the ship achieved accurate gunnery that weakened Japanese defenses and captured essential bases for subsequent Pacific operations.

Massachusetts played a vital role during the Mariana Islands campaign when it supported the invasion of Saipan from June 15 to July 9, 1944. The ship launched over 2,000 5-inch and 800 16-inch shells at Japanese defenses on Saipan and Tinian starting from June 13. Task Group 58.7 included Massachusetts which safeguarded aircraft carriers during the Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 19–20) by using its anti-aircraft guns to fend off Japanese air attacks thus contributing to the “Great Marianas Victory” that destroyed Japan’s naval aviation. Until Saipan was captured the ship maintained ground operation support and target evacuation which allowed B-29 bombers to establish bases.

The Massachusetts ship provided support for the Philippines campaign in October 1944 by bombarding Leyte on October 20 to protect General Douglas MacArthur’s landings. During operations with Task Group 38.2 the ship attacked Japanese positions and defended transports against air attacks. Massachusetts served as an escort for carrier groups during the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 23–26), participating in aircraft combat and protecting against submarine threats. The operation secured a vital Allied presence while Massachusetts protected against severe kamikaze attacks with its advanced anti-aircraft defenses.

Beginning on February 16 during the Iwo Jima campaign of February to March 1945 Massachusetts started bombardment operations against Japanese defenses on the island including Mount Suribachi. The battle cruiser discharged more than 1,000 16-inch projectiles to weaken enemy positions ahead of the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions. The ship's radar-directed gunfire played a vital role in the volcanic terrain because visibility was very limited. Throughout the Iwo Jima campaign Massachusetts provided call-fire support while defending against air raids which helped facilitate the historic flag-raising event on February 23.

The battle at Okinawa marked Massachusetts's last significant wartime operation when it took place from April 1 to June 22, 1945. Beginning March 24, the ship launched 2,250 5-inch and 16-inch shells against Japanese defenses to assist the 77th Infantry Division and Marines. Massachusetts’s anti-aircraft guns shot down multiple planes during constant kamikaze attacks which protected Task Force 58. Through May the ship supported Okinawa operations by providing gunfire support and evacuating casualties which enabled the island's capture that led to Japan's surrender.

During July and August 1945 Massachusetts participated in Japanese home island attacks and attacked Kamaishi on July 14 before striking Hamamatsu on July 29 and returning to bomb Kamaishi once more on August 9. The assaults against steel and industrial plants disrupted Japan's ability to produce military materials. Hours before the public declaration of Japan’s surrender the ship discharged its last 16-inch salvoes on August 9. Massachusetts participated at the official surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay aboard USS Missouri (BB-63) on September 2 which concluded its service during the war.

Broader Impact and Legacy

The Allied victory depended heavily on the USS Massachusetts which connected the Atlantic and Pacific theaters through its adaptable firepower capabilities. During Operation Torch the USS Massachusetts eliminated Vichy French opposition which allowed Allied forces to establish North Africa as a launch point for European invasion efforts. Massachusetts’s anti-aircraft defenses and bombardments played a crucial role in the Pacific island-hopping campaign which allowed Allied forces to capture strategic bases extending from Makin Island to Okinawa. During combat operations the ship's 16-inch guns fired more than 2,200 shells to destroy fortifications and industrial targets including airfields while its anti-aircraft systems defended carriers and transports against Japanese aircraft attacks.

Massachusetts experienced significant human losses yet reported no deaths during combat operations. The crew faced extended deployments along with tight living spaces and mental stress from kamikaze threats as described in oral histories at the Battleship Cove Museum. Robert L. Nolan and his fellow sailors formed strong bonds during combat while finding brief comfort in Massachusetts’s soda fountain and movie nights. Thanks to diligent maintenance by the crew and robust design features Massachusetts remained intact after suffering hits during the Casablanca battle.

The integration of fire-control systems and radar technology on Massachusetts established benchmarks that later battleships followed. The South Dakota-class design showed that treaty-conforming ships could challenge larger vessels and guided Iowa-class development and future naval strategies. The enhancements to the ship’s anti-aircraft capabilities through 40 mm and 20 mm guns demonstrated adaptability to air power threats which became a standard practice for modern naval vessels.

Public efforts prevented Massachusetts from being scrapped after it entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s reserve fleet on March 27, 1947. The ship arrived in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1965 to serve as the main attraction at Battleship Cove which holds the title of the world’s largest naval ship museum. Massachusetts holds the status of a National Historic Landmark where its 16-inch shells and crew diaries along with a kamikaze-damaged lifeboat serve as educational exhibits for millions on World War II. The University of Massachusetts Amherst displays the ship’s bell while restored interiors including the captain’s cabin demonstrate its historical importance.

The Massachusetts’s historical impact continues even after its military engagements. The USS Massachusetts (BB-59) stationed in Tokyo Bay represented U.S. Navy victory while its continuation as a museum ship preserves its historical narrative. The ship earned 11 battle stars during 35 operations which demonstrate its persistent service from Casablanca’s naval battles to Japan’s industrial regions. The Massachusetts stands as undeniable proof of the Navy's engineering capabilities as well as the sailors who transformed "Big Mamie" into a legendary battleship.

final thoughts

The USS Massachusetts (BB-59) served as a fundamental component of World War II naval operations while demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s power and flexibility. Through its South Dakota-class construction and advanced targeting systems along with 16-inch cannons Massachusetts achieved remarkable firepower while respecting treaty limits. The combination of radar technology and strong anti-aircraft defenses allowed this ship to perform exceptionally well in various tasks including shore bombardment as well as protecting aircraft carriers. Massachusetts serves as a living tribute to the sailors who served on it while highlighting the essential role the U.S. Navy played in Allied victory through its preservation at Battleship Cove.