New Mexico file photo [3703]

New Mexico

CountryUnited States
Ship ClassNew Mexico-class Battleship
BuilderNew York Navy Yard
Laid Down14 Oct 1915
Launched13 Apr 1917
Commissioned20 May 1918
Decommissioned19 Jul 1946
Displacement32,000 tons standard
Length624 feet
Beam97 feet
Draft30 feet
MachineryGeneral Electric geared turbines with electric drive, 4 screws
Speed21 knots
Crew1,084
Armament12×14in/356mm, 14×5in/127mm, 2×21in/533mm torpedo tubes
Armor13.5in belt, 18in turrets, 3.5in-5.5in decks, 16in conning tower

Contributor:

ww2dbaseUSS New Mexico was the lead ship of her class of battleships and was the first ship with a turbo-electric transmission. She was launched at the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York, United States in Apr 1917 and was commissioned into service in May 1918. After a shakedown and training period, she sailed for Brest, France on 15 Jan 1919 to escort Woodrow Wilson's transport USS George Washington as the US President traveled to sign the Treaty of Versailles. Wilson having just attended the Versailles Conference. At Hampton Roads off Virginia, United States on 27 Feb, she was named the flagship of the Pacific Fleet. She arrived at San Pedro, California, United States via the Panama Canal on 9 Aug. In the 1920s, she exercised in the Pacific Ocean and in the Caribbean Sea. She also traveled to South American, Australian, and New Zealand ports on good will visits. She was overhauled at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between Mar 1931 and Jan 1933, providing her the look and configuration she had going into WW2. From Oct 1934 until the start of WW2, she served in the Pacific Ocean.

ww2dbaseBefore the US officially entered the war, USS New Mexico served at Pearl Harbor from 6 Dec 1940 until 20 May 1941. From 16 Jun until Dec 1941, she patrolled in the Atlantic Ocean. After the Pearl Harbor attack which brought the US into war, she returned to the Pacific Ocean, operating out of San Francisco, California, United States until Aug 1942 and Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii until Dec 1942. In Apr 1943, she served in the South Pacific. Between 17 May and Jul 1943, she participated in the blockade of Attu and bombardment of Kiska, both in the US Territory of Alaska.

ww2dbaseUSS New Mexico returned to Pearl Harbor on 25 Oct 1943. On 20 Nov, in the Gilbert Islands, she supported the Makin Atoll landing operations by bombarding Japanese shore positions, providing anti-aircraft cover, and guarding against attacks on American transports. In Jan 1944, she played a similar role in the Marshall Islands, bombarding Kwajalein island on 31 Jan and Ebeye island on 1 Feb. She also bombarded Wotje, Marshall Islands on 20 Feb and Kavieng, New Ireland on 20 Mar. In Jun 1944, she joined in the Mariana Islands Campaign and bombarded Tinian on 14 Jun, Saipan on 15 Jun, and Guam on 16 Jun. During the Battle of the Philippine Sea on 20 Jun, she provided anti-aircraft cover for transports. On 21 Jul, she bombarded Guam again in preparation for the amphibious assault; she remained off Guam until 30 Jul. From Aug to Oct 1944, she received an overhaul at Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton, Washington, United States. In 22 Nov, she operated off Leyte, fighting off frequent Japanese air attacks. From 15 to 17 Dec, she covered landing operations at Mindoro in the Philippine Islands. On 6 Jan 1945, while bombarding Luzon before the landing, she was hit by a special attack aircraft at the bridge, killing her commanding officer Captain R. W. Fleming, British Lieutenant General Herbert Lumsden, and 29 others. She remained in Philippine waters to support the landing operation until Feb when he received repairs at Pearl Harbor. Between 26 Mar and 17 Apr and then again between 21 and 29 Apr, she provided gunfire support for operations at Okinawa, Japan. On 11 May, she was attacked by 8 special attack boats, but she fought them off before the suicide attackers could get close. On the next day, while approaching her berth in the Hagushi anchorage off Yomitan, Okinawa, she was attacked by two special attack aircraft; one successfully dove into her, while the other hit her with a bomb. These two attacks killed 54 men and wounded 119. After receiving repairs at Leyte, she was rehearsing the planned assault on the Japanese home islands at Saipan when the war ended.

ww2dbaseAfter WW2, UUS New Mexico operated in Tokyo Bay, Japan to support the occupation of Atsugi Airfield and then participated in the Tokyo Bay surrender ceremony on 2 Sep 1945. She returned to Boston on 17 Oct and was decommissioned there in 1946. She was sold for scrapping on 13 Oct 1947. As she was towed to the facilities of Lipsett Division of the firm Luria Brothers and Company in Newark, New Jersey, United States, the city government blocked her entrance into Newark Bay with two fireboats. The city, which was in the process of a costly beautification program, did not wish to have the possibly unsightly scene of an aging warship being dismantled for a long time. The standoff was de-escalated on 19 Nov 1947 as Lipsett and Newark agreed to a 9-month scrapping schedule. Scrapping was complete by Jul 1948.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Jun 2018

Battleship New Mexico Interactive Map

Photographs

Launching ways for battleship California (future USS New Mexico) New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, United States, 31 Aug 1915US Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels at the keel laying  ceremony of battleship California (future New Mexico), New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, United States, 14 Oct 1915Workers at the keel laying ceremony of battleship California (future New Mexico), New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, United States, 14 Oct 1915Naval guns possibly for battleship New Mexico, New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, United States, 1917
See all 109 photographs of Battleship New Mexico

New Mexico Operational Timeline

30 Jun 1914 The US Congress authorized the building of the battleship that was initially named California, though she would ultimately be named New Mexico.
14 Oct 1915 The keel of battleship California (later New Mexico) was laid down at New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, United States.
13 Apr 1917 The battleship New Mexico was launched at New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, United States, sponsored by Margaret De Baca, daughter of a former governor of the state of New Mexico.
20 May 1918 USS New Mexico was commissioned into service under the command of Captain Ashley Herman Robertson.
26 Dec 1918 USS New Mexico participated in the naval review in New York, New York, United States.
15 Jan 1919 USS New Mexico departed United States for Brest, France, escorting passenger ship George Washington, which carried US President Woodrow Wilson to the Versailles Peace Conference.
22 Feb 1919 USS New Mexico took on the crew of the foundering schooner Charlotte J. Sibley in the Atlantic Ocean. After the completion of the rescue, she used the schooner for target practice with her secondary battery.
27 Feb 1919 USS New Mexico arrived at New York, New York, United States.
16 Jul 1919 USS New Mexico was made the flagship of the US Pacific Fleet while she was at Hampton Roads, Virginia, United States.
19 Jul 1919 USS New Mexico departed Hampton Roads, Virginia, United States for California, United States.
25 Jul 1919 USS New Mexico transited the Panama Canal.
9 Aug 1919 USS New Mexico arrived at San Pedro, California, United States.
25 Apr 1925 USS New Mexico departed Bremerton, Washington, United States for US Territory of Hawaii.
5 Mar 1931 USS New Mexico began modernization work at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, United States.
22 Jan 1933 USS New Mexico completed her modernization work at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, United States. She departed Philadelphia for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for refresher training.
15 Sep 1934 USS New Mexico departed the east coast of the United States for San Pedro, California, United States.
6 Dec 1940 USS New Mexico arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
20 May 1941 USS New Mexico departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
9 Jun 1941 USS New Mexico arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
11 Jun 1941 USS New Mexico departed Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
20 Jun 1941 USS New Mexico departed Hampton Roads, Virginia, United States to patrol the Atlantic Ocean.
16 Sep 1941 USS New Mexico arrived at Reykjavik, Iceland.
25 Sep 1941 USS New Mexico departed at Reykjavik, Iceland.
3 Oct 1941 USS New Mexico was detached from Task Force 15.
12 Oct 1941 USS New Mexico began a period of gunnery and navigation training in Casco Bay, Maine, United States.
25 Oct 1941 USS New Mexico completed a period of gunnery and navigation training in Casco Bay, Maine, United States.
9 Nov 1941 USS New Mexico began a period of gunnery and navigation training in Casco Bay, Maine, United States.
11 Nov 1941 USS New Mexico completed a period of gunnery and navigation training in Casco Bay, Maine, United States.
14 Nov 1941 USS New Mexico departed Casco Bay, Maine, United States for Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where she would embark on a patrol into the Atlantic Ocean.
25 Nov 1941 USS New Mexico arrived at Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
1 Dec 1941 USS New Mexico arrived at Casco Bay, Maine, United States.
9 Dec 1941 USS New Mexico departed Casco Bay, Maine, United States.
10 Dec 1941 USS New Mexico accidentally rammed and sank US freighter Oregon south of the Nantucket Lightship off Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, United States, killing 17.
6 Jan 1942 USS New Mexico departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
17 Jan 1942 USS New Mexico transited the Panama Canal.
22 Jan 1942 USS New Mexico arrived at San Francisco, California, United States.
10 May 1942 USS New Mexico arrived at San Pedro, California, United States.
13 May 1942 USS New Mexico departed San Pedro, California, United States.
19 Jun 1942 USS New Mexico arrived at San Pedro, California, United States.
22 Jun 1942 USS New Mexico departed San Pedro, California, United States.
1 Aug 1942 USS New Mexico completed a scheduled overhaul at Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington, United States, during which her 5-inch guns were removed in exchange for more anti-aircraft weapons.
8 Aug 1942 USS New Mexico made rendezvous with Task Force 17 in the Hawaiian Islands for exercises.
14 Aug 1942 USS New Mexico arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
7 Dec 1942 USS New Mexico departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
11 Dec 1942 USS New Mexico arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
18 Dec 1942 USS New Mexico arrived at Nandi, Fiji Islands after escorting a convoy from the west coast of the United States to the Fiji area.
9 Jan 1943 USS New Mexico departed Suva, Fiji to escort carriers which were sailing toward Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
11 Feb 1943 USS New Mexico arrived at Nandi, Fiji.
8 Mar 1943 USS New Mexico arrived at Efate, New Hebrides.
11 Mar 1943 USS New Mexico arrived at Samoa.
15 Mar 1943 USS New Mexico departed Samoa.
22 Mar 1943 USS New Mexico arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
10 May 1943 USS New Mexico departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
17 May 1943 USS New Mexico arrived at Kuluk Bay, Adak, US Territory of Alaska.
21 May 1943 USS New Mexico made rendezvous with other warships in the Pacific Ocean; their collective mission was to block the Japanese from delivering reinforcements to the Aleutian Islands.
21 Jul 1943 USS New Mexico shelled Japanese positions on Kiska, US Territory of Alaska.
29 Aug 1943 USS New Mexico departed Kuluk Bay, Adak, US Territory of Alaska.
4 Sep 1943 USS New Mexico arrived at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, United States.
9 Oct 1943 USS New Mexico departed Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, United States.
12 Oct 1943 USS New Mexico arrived at San Pedro, California, United States.
25 Oct 1943 USS New Mexico arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
20 Nov 1943 USS New Mexico shelled Japanese positions at Makin Atoll, Gilbert Islands.
29 Nov 1943 USS New Mexico departed the Gilbert Islands.
8 Dec 1943 USS New Mexico arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
22 Jan 1944 USS New Mexico departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
31 Jan 1944 USS New Mexico shelled Japanese positions on Kwajalein Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
1 Feb 1944 USS New Mexico shelled Japanese positions on Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
20 Feb 1944 USS New Mexico arrived at Maloelap Atoll, Marshall Islands.
21 Feb 1944 USS New Mexico shelled Japanese positions on Wotje, Marshall Islands.
23 Feb 1944 USS New Mexico arrived at Majuro, Marshall Islands.
20 Mar 1944 USS New Mexico bombarded Kavieng, New Ireland.
23 Apr 1944 USS New Mexico departed Efate, New Hebrides.
29 Apr 1944 USS New Mexico arrived at Sydney, Australia.
5 May 1944 USS New Mexico departed Sydney, Australia.
10 May 1944 USS New Mexico arrived at Efate, New Hebrides.
5 Jun 1944 At sea, battleships USS New Mexico, USS Idaho, and USS Pennsylvania joined with aircraft carriers USS Corregidor and USS Coral Sea with cruisers USS Honolulu and USS St. Louis and continued on toward Kwajalein.
8 Jun 1944 Battleships USS New Mexico, USS Idaho, and USS Pennsylvania with aircraft carriers USS Corregidor and USS Coral Sea and cruisers USS Honolulu and USS St. Louis arrived at Roi at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands.
10 Jun 1944 Battleships USS New Mexico, USS Idaho, and USS Pennsylvania with aircraft carriers USS Corregidor and USS Coral Sea and cruisers USS Honolulu and USS St. Louis departed Kwajalein bound for the invasion of the Mariana Islands.
14 Jun 1944 USS New Mexico bombarded Tinian, Mariana Islands.
15 Jun 1944 USS New Mexico bombarded Saipan, Mariana Islands.
16 Jun 1944 USS New Mexico bombarded Guam.
18 Jun 1944 USS New Mexico escorted transports out of the Mariana Islands area.
21 Jun 1944 USS New Mexico bombarded Guam.
25 Jun 1944 USS New Mexico departed waters off Mariana Islands.
27 Jun 1944 USS New Mexico arrived at Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.
9 Jul 1944 USS New Mexico began guarding aircraft carriers off the Mariana Islands area.
15 Jul 1944 USS New Mexico departed Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.
17 Jul 1944 USS New Mexico arrived in waters off Guam.
21 Jul 1944 USS New Mexico shelled Japanese positions on Guam.
30 Jul 1944 USS New Mexico shelled Japanese positions on Guam.
30 Jul 1944 Battleships USS New Mexico and USS Idaho with cruisers USS San Francisco and USS St. Louis departed Guam in the Mariana Islands bound for Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands.
2 Aug 1944 USS New Mexico arrived at Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.
2 Aug 1944 Battleships USS New Mexico and USS Idaho with cruisers USS San Francisco and USS St. Louis arrived at Eniwetok, Marshall Islands.
3 Aug 1944 Battleship USS New Mexico with cruisers USS San Francisco and USS St. Louis departed Eniwetok, Marshall Islands bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
9 Aug 1944 Battleship USS New Mexico with cruisers USS San Francisco and USS St. Louis arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
11 Aug 1944 USS New Mexico arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
26 Oct 1944 USS New Mexico departed Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, United States.
1 Nov 1944 USS New Mexico arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
10 Nov 1944 USS New Mexico departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii for Ulithi, Caroline Islands.
22 Nov 1944 USS New Mexico operated off Leyte, Philippine Islands.
25 Nov 1944 USS New Mexico sailed into Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands.
27 Nov 1944 US Navy Task Group 77.2 consisting of battleships USS Maryland, USS West Virginia, USS Colorado, and USS New Mexico, cruisers USS Denver, USS St. Louis, USS Columbia, USS Minneapolis, and USS Montpelier, destroyers USS Nicholas, USS Waller, USS Eaton, USS Cony, USS Mustin, USS Conway, USS Pringle, USS Lang, USS Sigourney, USS Saufley, USS Aulick, USS Renshaw, USS Taylor, USS Edwards, and USS Mugford, tanker USS Caribou, and other patrol craft were patrolling in Leyte Gulf, Philippines when the group came under a concentrated Japanese special air attack from 20 to 30 aircraft. All but two of the Japanese planes dived on the formation in the sustained attack. Submarine chaser SC-744 was sunk and battleship Colorado and cruisers St. Louis and Montpelier were damaged.
29 Nov 1944 US Navy Task Group 77.2 consisting of battleships USS Maryland, USS West Virginia, and USS New Mexico, cruisers USS Denver, USS Columbia, USS Minneapolis, USS Montpelier, and USS Portland, destroyers USS Nicholas, USS Waller, USS Cony, USS Conway, USS Pringle, USS Lang, USS Saufley, USS Aulick, USS Renshaw, USS Edwards, USS Mugford, and USS Connor, and other patrol craft were patrolling in Leyte Gulf, Philippines when the group came under a Japanese air attack where special attack aircraft that damaged Maryland, Saufley, and Aulick.
2 Dec 1944 USS New Mexico departed Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands.
15 Dec 1944 USS New Mexico began supporting the operations on Mindoro, Philippine Islands.
17 Dec 1944 USS New Mexico completed supporting the operations on Mindoro, Philippine Islands.
6 Jan 1945 USS New Mexico shelled Japanese positions in the area of Lingayen Gulf, Philippine Islands. She was struck by Japanese special attack aircraft. Among the 30 men killed were her commanding officer Captain Robert Walton Fleming and members of an observing British military mission, including Lieutenant General Herbert Lumsden, Winston Churchill's personal military representative to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur.
22 Jan 1945 USS New Mexico departed Lingayen Gulf, philippine Islands.
24 Jan 1945 USS New Mexico arrived at San Pedro Bay, Philippine Islands.
28 Jan 1945 USS New Mexico arrived in waters off Oahu, US Territory of Hawaii.
9 Mar 1945 USS New Mexico departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
20 Mar 1945 USS New Mexico departed Ulithi, Caroline Islands.
26 Mar 1945 USS New Mexico shelled Japanese positions on Okinawa, Japan.
5 Apr 1945 USS New Mexico became the flagship of Admiral Raymond Spruance of US Fifth Fleet.
17 Apr 1945 USS New Mexico departed Okinawa, Japan waters.
21 Apr 1945 USS New Mexico arrived off Okinawa, Japan waters.
29 Apr 1945 USS New Mexico departed Okinawa, Japan waters.
11 May 1945 USS New Mexico sank eight Shinyo special attack boats off Okinawa, Japan.
12 May 1945 Japanese special attack aircraft damaged USS New Mexico off Okinawa, Japan; 54 were killed, 119 were wounded.
27 May 1945 USS New Mexico ceased being the flagship of Admiral Raymond Spruance of US Fifth Fleet.
28 May 1945 USS New Mexico departed Okinawa, Japan.
31 May 1945 USS New Mexico arrived at Guam.
4 Jun 1945 USS New Mexico departed Guam.
7 Jun 1945 USS New Mexico arrived at Leyte, Philippine Islands to receive repairs.
3 Aug 1945 USS New Mexico completed repair work at Leyte, Philippine Islands.
12 Aug 1945 USS New Mexico arrived at Saipan, Mariana Islands.
16 Aug 1945 USS New Mexico arrived at Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawa, Japan.
23 Aug 1945 USS New Mexico departed Okinawa, Japan.
27 Aug 1945 USS New Mexico arrived at Sagami Bay, Japan.
28 Aug 1945 USS New Mexico arrived at Tokyo Bay, Japan.
6 Sep 1945 USS New Mexico departed Tokyo Bay, Japan.
9 Sep 1945 USS New Mexico arrived at Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawa, Japan.
10 Sep 1945 USS New Mexico departed Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawa, Japan with several hundred servicemen onboard for transport back to the United States.
20 Sep 1945 USS New Mexico arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
25 Sep 1945 USS New Mexico departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
12 Oct 1945 USS New Mexico transited the Panama Canal.
17 Oct 1945 USS New Mexico arrived at Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
15 Nov 1945 Captain Arnold H. Newcomb was name the commanding officer of USS New Mexico at Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
19 Jul 1946 USS New Mexico was decommissioned from service at Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
25 Feb 1947 Battleship New Mexico was struck from the US Naval Vessel Register.
9 Nov 1947 Battleship New Mexico was sold for scrapping to the Lipsett Division of the firm Luria Brothers and Company for US $381,600. She departed Boston, Massachusetts, United States toward Newark, New Jersey, United States where Lipsett was to scrap the ship.
12 Nov 1947 Battleship New Mexico, while being towed by tugboats off New York, United States, encountered heavy weather. The tugboats were forced to cut the tow lines. She drifted and became lost.
13 Nov 1947 Battleship New Mexico was spotted by a US Coast Guard aircraft 35 miles off the coast of New York, United States. Two tugboats were dispatched to the battleship.
14 Nov 1947 The city of Newark, New Jersey, United States dispatched two aging fireboats, Michael P. Duffy and William T. Brennan, to block the entrance of Newark Bay. The city administration, which had already embarked on a costly beautification program, did not wish to play host to the scrapping of a battleship. The US Coast Guard and four tug boats of the Lipsett Division of the firm Luria Brothers and Company stood on the other side of the line with battleship New Mexico behind them.
19 Nov 1947 The city of Newark, New Jersey, United States reached a settlement with Lipsett Division of the firm Luria Brothers and Company, allowing the company to nine months to scrap battleship New Mexico in the city. Delays would cost the company US$1,000 per day. Battleship New Mexico was towed into Newark Bay within hours.
24 Nov 1947 The scrapping of battleship New Mexico began at the facilities of Lipsett Division of the firm Luria Brothers and Company in Newark, New Jersey, United States. The work would complete in Jul 1948.




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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
14 Mar 2014 08:05:32 PM

My father was on this ship and was a talker on a 40mm gun.What did that entail? Thanks.
2. Commenter identity confirmed David Stubblebine says:
15 Mar 2014 09:09:25 PM

To Comment #1:
Talkers were the ones who worked the intercoms. You can see them in the old war movies as the ones wearing the oversized helmets (to fit over their earphones) and the microphone horns in front of their mouths, like 1920s telephone operators. Their job was simply to repeat messages given to them. If a message came through their headphones, they would repeat it out loud to the ranking member present and if they were given a message from the ranking member, the talkers would repeat it into the microphone to another talker who would do the same at his end. It sounds slow but with well trained people, information moved reasonably quickly.
3. Brian Campbell says:
22 Jun 2014 09:00:13 PM

My father , Joe was a gunners mate and then was promoted to the equivalent of a staff Sargent. The role this ship had in virtually every major theatre of WWII is phenomenal. Am incredibly proud of my Dad and wish he had shared more about his service
4. Toby Massell says:
7 Dec 2014 01:15:42 PM

Mt father(Silverio DeDe Massell) served on the USS New Mexico as a first gunners mate as far as I can remember. He served on at least one other batlle ship and a destroyer and at least on submarine,the Sea Devil. Men and women of these days were very coragious and to be proud of. I would like to no more abouth his service as he talk little of thoes times.
5. michael karavas says:
25 Mar 2016 08:37:12 AM

My father was on this ship as cook during the world war 11. l would like to know more this story on the ship,what happen after the ship was hit to the men on ship.
6. Floyd Holcom says:
2 Apr 2016 07:58:01 AM

My Father, Edward E. Holcom was on this ship and told me the stories of the kamakazi attacks against this ship. He also told me Admiral Bull Hulsey transferred his command to the New Mexico when his ship was Badly damaged, perhaps the Leyte Gulf Battle? My Father recalled the numerous friends he lost during these battles, he was a signal communicator on the bridge when the Captain was killed.
7. Commenter identity confirmed David Stubblebine says:
2 Apr 2016 02:42:44 PM

Floyd Holcom:
USS New Mexico was the Fleet Flagship for the Fifth Fleet, meaning when Admiral Raymond Spruance was in command of the fleet, he operated from New Mexico. When Halsey was in command, the fleet became the Third Fleet (same ships, different name) and Halsey’s flagship was the New Jersey. In the days leading up to a change in command, Spruance and Halsey (and their staffs) would meet and Halsey would come aboard New Mexico for those meetings (as he did on 26 May 1945 off Okinawa). As far as I know, Halsey never made New Mexico his flagship.
8. Jack says:
27 May 2016 06:18:00 PM

My uncle, Robert Valdez, was assigned to the USS Ommaney Bay, which was struck by a kamikaze on 04 January 1945. The Ommaney Bay was scuttled. He was picked up by the USS New Mexico. Uncle Bob was manning one of the AA turrets when a kamikaze struck on 06 January 1945. He was one of 29 men killed that day in the explosion.
9. Anonymous says:
4 Oct 2016 02:00:29 PM

My father was a machines mate on the USS New Mexico and was in fifteen major campaigns during WWll.
10. Larry Barkley says:
23 Mar 2017 10:47:53 PM

Arthur Barkley was on the New Mexico in WWll ..The USS New Mexico was in fifteen major campaign. Arthur Barkley was A machines mate..until the war ended..
11. Timothy Alden says:
16 Apr 2017 05:13:09 AM

Anthony Carpenetti,(BUTCH),one of my Gramps two brothers lost,was one of the 54 lost may 12,1945.He was Gunners mate 2nd class.Leo,the other,stepped on land mine in Italy in 43..7 brothers,all Navy but Leo.My Gramp was USS TRENTON,and taught me materials materials materials.He stripped every screw,nut,bolt before tossing anything away.This is what we need back.AMERICAS FINEST GENERATION..RIP
12. Timothy Alden says:
10 May 2017 04:49:26 AM

Amazing what turns up with all the info on the web.Was wrong about Leo,he was 321st/81st RCT- REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM,his team was lent to first Marines at bloodynose ridge,and Sept 20,1944,Leo stepped on land mine.Then Butch,( Edward Anthony Carpenetti,was sure!y aboard the U.S.S NEW MEXICO for the kamikaze attack May 12th, 1945..It used to be needle in haystack,trying to locate sailorsoldiers in images posted,but these days,so many posting family mementos,and web info,amazing and just a matter of time.I didn't realise Ernist Borgnine was a sailor to,one of the best of his era.In a earlier comment I mentioned my Gramp,stripping every nut and bolt before tossing anything.This typed practise,out produced all other nations and the war was won for the world,right here in Philadelphia ,PA.These men are leaving at a unbelievable rate,but we can honor them by heeding their example.Thank you for posting all this information,I truly enjoy..
13. Kate Miller says:
15 Jul 2017 06:47:50 AM

I have tried to contact various veterans (websites)connected to the USS New Mexico in hopes of hearing anything about my father, Chief Petty officer Raymond Eugene Miller and never heard back. Does anyone have any knowledge of him ? I have his records from the National archives.
Thank you !
Kate
14. Floyd Holcom says:
31 Mar 2018 12:16:06 PM

Timothy Alden, I have a picture that is labeled Butch from my Dad's Album, could it be your Grandfather? I will post
15. Martin Lequerica says:
11 Dec 2018 11:57:11 PM

Hello.
My father served on the USS New Mexico from 1942-1945.
I have a picture of his crew in their naval whites with a flag reading “42-507â€
I’m guessing the first number refers to 1942?
I’m guessing the second number (507) was his class or crew number....not sure.
Would anyone have more information to pass along regarding?
Thank you very much.
16. Brad Rine says:
8 Feb 2019 07:37:54 AM

I would love to find any information or pics with my dad in them. He was a Marine on AA guns and was seriously wounded in the Jan 6, 1945 Kamikaze attack. Thanks, Brad
17. Brad Rine says:
8 Feb 2019 07:40:42 AM

I forgot to mention in prior post my dad a Marine wounded in Jan 6, 45 kamikaze attack is named Edwin Jack Rine, a corporal. thx, brad
18. Brad Rine says:
9 Feb 2019 06:39:00 AM

Well, I must correct my dates from above. I rechecked and the date of the attack E J Rine, my father, was wounded was the May 12, 1945 attack. He spent the remainder of the was in a hospital recovering from wounds received. I apologize for the confusion. thanks, Brad
19. Kelly says:
7 Apr 2019 03:59:01 PM

Hi all,
My grandfather's brother, John Patrick Minahan, died on May 12th from the attack. Tears me up to think that 3-4 short months later it would be over and maybe he would have been home. Thanks for all the comments and agreed. AMERICA'S FINEST GENERATION
20. Anonymous says:
9 Apr 2019 08:11:08 PM

My father served on the USS New Mexico from 1943 to 1945, disembarking in Boston. He had an album of amazing photos that the ship's photographer took. He went through them with me and shared so many stories about them after I became an adult. My dad's first job on the ship was getting the shells from below deck up to the gunners. His second job was as a shopkeeper in the ship's store. Like others mentioned, my dad lost several friends in the attacks, but fortunately he was uninjured. He passed four years ago, about a week shy of his 90th birthday.
21. Stefan Maass says:
9 Apr 2019 11:04:43 PM

My dearest friend Albert Jacobs, who was a gunner's mate on the New Mexico during the whole WWII, died on March 8th, 2019, at 92 years. There were 150 people at his funeral in Tampa. You can have a look at his obituary at
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/clearwater-fl/albert-jacobs-8197974
I will never forget this man and I will proudly wear his BB40 cap from now on. Rest in peace, buddy, I know you are having fun wherever you are now. I am German and I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to be friends with not only an American war hero who helped to determine my life (where would I be today without these men?) but also the fact that he was Jewish and loved me for the person I am, and not for what my country did to his people.


22. Dan Meehling says:
18 Apr 2019 05:58:58 AM

My uncle (Warren Sealock) was part of the AA Marine detachment , he was killed in the kamikaze attack on May 12, 1945. For Mr. Rine's request....I found a book called "Battleship Letters" written by the son of one of the Marines on board during the attack. I don't know much about my Uncle's time on the ship...but the book is very interesting regarding how it must have been from the Marine's view point.
23. Ken Carpenetti says:
12 May 2020 03:36:14 PM

My Uncle, Anthony Carpenetti, served as gunners mate on USS New Mexico. He died in the Kamikaze attack on May 12, 1945.
24. Nick Bigoness says:
11 Jun 2020 08:42:22 PM

My uncle was killed on this ship his last name is Bigoness
25. Anonymous Robert Higdon says:
27 Dec 2020 05:49:23 AM

I'm the son of Joseph Lincoln Higdon gunners mate in the 40s maybe 38 or 39 on the USS New Mexico I would like to see some history on him or crew list but dont know how
26. Tyler says:
21 Aug 2021 01:00:59 PM

My grandfather & his twin brother, Raymond & Roland Humbel, served on the USS New Mexico. They were part of a small group of twins that served together on same ship and both survive.
27. Tony says:
13 Dec 2021 06:03:29 PM

My grandfather, Julius "Jim" Fernandez, served on the ship in 44/45. He lost one of his fingers while offloading 14-inch shells. He also lost half of his gun crew when a kamikaze hit the ship.
28. Anonymous says:
9 Jan 2023 04:22:39 PM

My dad served on the New Mexico prior to our official entrance into WWII. He had told us they would accompany convoys going to Europe and they would turn around 50 miles out of Ireland. I have never seen any official recognition of that mission. I was real little when I heard the story and might have remembered it wrong....are there records of this?
29. Anonymous says:
24 Feb 2024 02:42:48 AM

How do I find crew members? I believe, not certain, my great grandfather was on USS New Mexico and died on 15~ December of 44. Last name Butler.

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More on New Mexico
Personnel:
» Fletcher, Frank
» Spruance, Raymond

Event(s) Participated:
» Aleutian Islands Campaign
» Gilbert Islands Campaign
» Marshall Islands Campaign
» Mariana Islands Campaign and the Great Turkey Shoot
» Philippines Campaign, Phase 1, the Leyte Campaign
» Philippines Campaign, Phase 2
» Okinawa Campaign
» Japan's Surrender

Battleship New Mexico Photo Gallery
Launching ways for battleship California (future USS New Mexico) New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, United States, 31 Aug 1915
See all 109 photographs of Battleship New Mexico


Famous WW2 Quote
"With Germany arming at breakneck speed, England lost in a pacifist dream, France corrupt and torn by dissension, America remote and indifferent... do you not tremble for your children?"

Winston Churchill, 1935


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