USS New Jersey (BB-62) is an Iowa-class battleship, and was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after the U.S. state of New Jersey. She was often referred to fondly as "Big J". New Jersey earned more battle stars for combat actions than the other three completed Iowa-class battleships, and was the only US battleship used to provide gunfire support during the Vietnam War.
USS New Jersey underway in January 1985
Overview of the ship from a river ferry
Captain Carl F. Holden (right) with Rear Admiral Donald B. Beary during inspection of New Jersey
New Jersey encounters the French battleship Richelieu (left) at Hampton Roads in September 1943
The Iowa class was a class of six fast battleships ordered by the United States Navy in 1939 and 1940. They were initially intended to intercept fast capital ships such as the Japanese Kongō class and also serve as the "fast wing" in a traditional battle line alongside slower battleships. The Iowa class was designed to meet the Second London Naval Treaty's "escalator clause" limit of 45,000-long-ton (45,700 t) standard displacement. Beginning in August 1942, four vessels, Iowa, New Jersey, Missouri, and Wisconsin, were completed; two more, Illinois and Kentucky, were laid down but canceled in 1945 and 1958, respectively, before completion, and both hulls were scrapped in 1958–1959.
USS Iowa (BB-61) fires a full broadside on 15 August 1984 during a firepower demonstration after her recommissioning
USS Iowa in World War II configuration and wearing Measure 32 Design 1B camouflage pattern, c. 1944.
USS Iowa fires a full broadside of nine 16-inch and six 5-inch guns during a gunnery exercise
16"/50 gun projectile with six propellant bags (display) aboard USS Iowa (BB-61)