Iowa

Iowa-class battleships were built for the United States Navy during the years of 1940 to 1944. Initially intended to intercept fast capital ships, the IOWAs were the fastest and most survivable surface ships when they appeared. Of the 6 planned, 4 were completed.

Iowa-class battleships  served between the years of 1943 to 1992.

Preceded by: South Dakota-class battleship

Succeeded by: Montana-class battleship ( started but not completed)

Iowa-class battleships, USS Iowa, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Missouri served in the Pacific Theater of World War II, they served primarily as fast escorts for Essex-class aircraft carriers of the Fast Carrier Task Force and also shelled Japanese positions. USS Missouri became the symbol of US Naval power when Japanese Representatives boarded her decks to sign the documents of unconditional surrender to the Allied powers in September 1945.