USS Tennessee

The USS Tennessee: A Battleship’s Steadfast Service in World War II

The USS Tennessee (BB-43) represents a resilient and versatile symbol of the United States Navy's Tennessee-class battleships during World War II. The USS Tennessee became a powerful and durable warship in 1920 representing America's naval strength development between the World Wars. The USS Tennessee (BB-43) stands out as an exceptional ship because of its wartime service which included surviving Pearl Harbor and participating in decisive Pacific Theater battles as well as receiving extensive modernizations and playing a vital role in the Allied advance. This piece explores Tennessee's pivotal role in major WWII battles and investigates its distinctive features that demonstrated American naval adaptability and determination to shift with the naval environment.

Origins and Design: A Masterpiece of Prewar Engineering

The naval arms race following World War I led to Tennessee's construction which began on May 14, 1917 at the New York Naval Shipyard located in Brooklyn. The ship was commissioned on June 3, 1920 after its launch on April 30, 1919 as the lead vessel of the Tennessee-class with California following it. The Tennessee moved through water at 21 knots (24.2 mph) while displacing 32,300 tons standard (40,950 tons full load) and stretched 624 feet (190.2 meters) long, powered by four turbo-electric drive shafts and eight oil-fired boilers for reliable and precise control.

Its armament was formidable: The Tennessee-class battleship featured twelve 14-inch guns mounted in four triple turrets which produced a 12,960-pound broadside at 20 miles while also incorporating fourteen 5-inch guns and an anti-aircraft system that developed throughout its service life. Exceptional protective features included a 13.5-inch (343 mm) belt and 18-inch (457 mm) turret faces combined with a 3.5-inch (89 mm) deck which had been improved based on Jutland battle experiences to resist plunging fire. The distinctive feature of Tennessee from its inception was its advanced engineering which combined firepower, protection and crew efficiency while its turbo-electric propulsion distinguished it from earlier coal-fired ships and demonstrated its future wartime versatility.

Pearl Harbor: A Test of Endurance

The war for Tennessee started on December 7, 1941 when Japan launched its unexpected attack on Pearl Harbor. Inside Battleship Row next to West Virginia Tennessee received torpedo protection but remained vulnerable to aerial bombs from the Japanese Kido Butai. At 7: At 7:55 AM Tennessee's crew manned their guns to counter the incoming assault of Nakajima B5N Kates and Aichi D3A Vals as air raid sirens sounded. The ship received two bomb impacts with one bomb breaching the No.2 turret roof. During the attack one bomb penetrated the No. 2 turret's roof where it ignited powder bags resulting in four fatalities. 3 turret, jamming it. The flames from Arizona’s burning oil reached Tennessee’s stern while its crew battled fires and kept up anti-aircraft defense from between West Virginia and the dock.

The damage was severe but survivable. Tennessee endured because its reinforced armor and internal compartments restricted flooding while its crew maintained control of damage unlike Arizona which exploded and Oklahoma which capsized. The ship lost 5 crew members and injured 21 among its crew of 1,541 which revealed the ship's remarkable durability by day's end. The Tennessee underwent repairs at Puget Sound Navy Yard through March 1942 which prevented it from needing the extensive salvage operations done on California and West Virginia enabling it to return to service quickly while featuring enhanced anti-aircraft weaponry. Tennessee stood out during Pearl Harbor because its resilience and tactical position allowed it to survive the initial attack and remain battle-ready for future engagements.

Modernization: Adapting to a New War

Tennessee received a transformative refit at Puget Sound which lasted from August 1942 to May 1943 making it stand out compared to other ships. The ship received a compact tower in place of the cage masts and was equipped with sixteen 5-inch/38-caliber guns alongside forty 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns and forty-three 20 mm Oerlikons which strengthened its air defense for operations around carrier groups in the Pacific. The addition of SK air-search and SG surface-search radar systems elevated the ship's weapon targeting capabilities and situational perception. The ship expanded to a width of 114 feet (34.7 meters) with anti-torpedo blisters which increased its displacement to 42,100 tons while maintaining a speed of 21 knots through new boilers.

The extensive modernization transformed Tennessee into a contemporary battleship that could perform shore bombardment while providing fleet escort capabilities and anti-aircraft screening in response to World War II requirements. The upgraded ship resumed service on May 25, 1943 to demonstrate American industrial strength while getting ready for critical battles in the Pacific.

Tennessee’s Triumph

The largest naval engagement in history occurred during the Battle of Leyte Gulf from October 23 to 26, 1944 where Tennessee achieved its defining moment. The ship joined six battleships including five survivors from Pearl Harbor under Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf’s Task Group 77.2 to protect the Leyte invasion from Japan’s Southern Force led by Vice Admiral Shoji Nishimura. The Battle of Surigao Strait on October 24–25 became Tennessee’s rare battleship confrontation that showcased its renewed combat effectiveness.

Tennessee stood by alongside West Virginia, California, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Mississippi as Nishimura’s force which included battleships Yamashiro and Fusō, a cruiser, and four destroyers advanced into the strait. At 3: At 3:51 AM on October 25 Tennessee engaged the enemy at 20,000 yards (11.3 miles) using its 14-inch guns which were radar-guided to achieve capabilities that exceeded its prewar performance. Tennessee conducted 13 salvos which fired 69 rounds to sink Yamashiro and its sister ships while routing the Southern Force in a crucial “crossing the T” maneuver.

The special qualities that Tennessee exhibited at Surigao Strait included its precise targeting capabilities and adaptable operations. Tennessee's radar-enabled gunnery proved highly effective in the dark and delivered a strong retribution for Pearl Harbor against the Japanese surface fleet in a unique battleship victory during a period dominated by aircraft carriers. This victory highlighted how Tennessee transformed from an outdated battleship into a modern combatant.

Later Campaigns

The USS Tennessee served from 1944 to 1945 in World War II by providing heavy gunfire support for amphibious operations. During the Battle of Saipan from June 15 to July 9, 1944 the warship targeted Japanese defensive positions by firing 693 14-inch shells to support Marines on the ground. During the Guam campaign (July 21–August 10, 1944), it fired a total of 413 14-inch shells to weaken coastal defenses. Throughout the Battle of Iwo Jima which lasted from February 19 to March 26, 1945 Tennessee launched 389 14-inch shells against Mount Suribachi and inland targets over 14 days. A kamikaze attack on February 21 resulted in 1 death and 12 injuries but the sturdy armor and crew endurance enabled the ship to continue operating.

During the Okinawa campaign from April 1 to June 22, 1945 Tennessee launched 624 14-inch shells to target coastal defenses and intercept kamikaze aircraft. A kamikaze plane hit Tennessee on April 12 and exploded a 550-pound bomb that killed 22 crew members and wounded 107 others but the ship's strong construction and swift damage control allowed it to stay operational. The Tennessee anchored in Tokyo Bay as a symbolic conclusion to its wartime service during Japan’s surrender on September 2, 1945 aboard Missouri. The ship received ten battle stars which recognized its significant wartime contributions.

Why Tennessee Was Special

Tennessee stood out because it exhibited exceptional durability and adaptability while making significant operational contributions. The fact that Tennessee survived Pearl Harbor remains an outstanding achievement. Due to its armored protection from torpedoes Tennessee experienced less damage than California or West Virginia and quickly returned to service demonstrating the ship's design excellence and its crew's determination. The battleship Tennessee demonstrated exceptional durability which distinguished it from other battleships that remained lost or out of service for long periods.

Second, Tennessee’s modernization was exceptional. The integration of radar technology and enhanced anti-aircraft capabilities gave Tennessee the ability to meet wartime requirements by enabling precise engagements during night battles at Surigao Strait and countering kamikaze attacks at Okinawa. The ability to transition from a prewar dreadnought into a versatile multi-role warship made it indispensable for operations led by aircraft carriers across the Pacific.

Tennessee stood out as a representation of unwavering resolve. After surviving Pearl Harbor Tennessee participated in sinking Japanese battleships and aided the Allies' island-hopping campaign demonstrating American determination. The ship earned its moniker “The Volunteer” because its crew displayed exceptional perseverance during every battle from Saipan’s turmoil to the kamikaze attacks at Okinawa. The battleship Tennessee stood out because it demonstrated extraordinary endurance and contributions despite not being the most advanced ship.

Legacy and Significance

The contributions of Tennessee at Leyte Gulf, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa played an essential part in the Allied victory in the Pacific which accelerated the downfall of Japan. The battleship's appearance in Tokyo Bay marked the completion of the story initiated at Pearl Harbor while proving its value in an era where airpower was becoming dominant.