Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War

United States Navy — Battleship

USS Colorado (BB-45) — service history

This is the full service history. For the vessel's particulars, photograph and specifications, see the entry.

In the words of the US Navy. The account below is reproduced verbatim from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command — a work of the United States Government, in the public domain, and the only text on this site not written here.

Before commissioning

USS Colorado (BB-45)
Title: Launch of KAMOI [Japan] Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. Bain News Service, publisher — Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014714553 Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/ggbain/34400/34401v.jpg Original url: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014714553/ — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

The first Colorado was named for the Colorado River; the second and third ships named Colorado were named for the 38th State , admitted to the Union on 1 August 1876.

Interwar 1919–1938

1919

The third Colorado (Battleship No. 45) was laid down on 29 May 1919 at Camden, N.J., by the New York Shipbuilding Co.; reclassified as BB-45 on 17 July 1920; launched on 22 March 1921, sponsored by Mrs. Max Melville [Mrs. Ruth Nicholson Melville], the daughter of Senator Samuel D. Nicholson of Colorado; and commissioned on 30 August 1923, Capt. Reginald R. Belknap in command.

1923

USS Colorado (BB-45)
Title: COLORADO - going into commission Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. Bain News Service, publisher — Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014716499 Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/ggbain/36300/36350v.jpg Original url: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014716499/ — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Colorado sailed from New York on 29 December 1923, four days after Christmas, on her maiden voyage that took her to Portsmouth, England; Cherbourg and Villefranche, France; Naples, Italy; and Gibraltar before returning to New York on 15 February 1924. After repairs and final tests she sailed for the west coast on 11 July and arrived at San Francisco on 15 September 1924.

1925

USS Colorado (BB-45)
Seaman E J Filian on board USS Colorado, 3 April 1925 Harley Flowers from Mobile, USA — Filian on the Colorado 1925 — CC BY-SA 2.0 — Wikimedia Commons

From 1924 to 1941 Colorado operated with the Battle Fleet in the Pacific, participating in fleet exercises and various ceremonies, and returning to the east coast from time to time for fleet problems in the Caribbean. She also cruised to Samoa, Australia, and New Zealand (8 June-26 September 1925) to show the flag in the far Pacific. She aided in earthquake relief at Long Beach, Calif., from 10 to 11 March 1933 and during a Naval Reserve Officer Training Cortps (NROTC) cruise from 11 June to 22 July 1937 she and her embarked aviation unit took part in the unsuccessful search for the missing aviatrix, Amelia Earhart, and her navigator, Fred Noonan, and their Lockheed Model 10-E Electra .

Second World War 1939–1945

1941

Based on Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, from 27 January 1941, Colorado operated in the Hawaiian training area in intensive exercises and war games until 25 June when she departed for the west coast and overhaul at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Wash., which lasted until 31 March 1942. Her presence at Bremerton saved her from being at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese carried out their surprise raid of 7 December 1941, the only Pacific Fleet battleship spared.

1942 Tarawa

USS Colorado (BB-45)
80-G-6574: USS Colorado (BB 45) using anti-torpedo net. Photographed May 1942. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2016/10/11). National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-6574 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

After west coast training, Colorado returned to Pearl Harbor on 14 August 1942 to complete her preparations for action. She operated in the vicinity of the Fiji Islands and New Hebrides from 8 November 1942 to 17 September 1943 to prevent further Japanese expansion. She sortied from Pearl Harbor on 21 October to provide preinvasion bombardment and fire support for the invasion of Tarawa , returning to port on 7 December 1943.

1944

USS Colorado (BB-45)
USS Colorado off Tinian, 1944 Unknown author — United States Navy official image — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

After west coast overhaul, Colorado returned to Lahaina Roads, Hawaiian Islands, on 21 January 1944 and sortied the next day for the Marshall Islands operation, providing preinvasion bombardment and fire support for the invasions of Kwajalein and Eniwetok until 23 February when she headed for Puget Sound Navy Yard and overhaul.

Joining other units bound for the Mariana Islands operation at San Francisco, Colorado sailed on 5 May 1944 by way of Pearl Harbor and Kwajalein for preinvasion bombardment and fire support duties at Saipan , Guam, and Tinian from 14 June. On 24 July during the shelling of Tinian, Colorado received 22 shell hits from Japanese shore batteries but continued to support the invading troops until 3 August. After repairs on the west coast, Colorado arrived in Leyte Gulf on 20 November 1944 to support American troops fighting ashore. A week later, she was hit by two kamikaze s which killed 19 of her men, wounded 72, and caused moderate damage. Nevertheless as planned she bombarded Mindoro between 12 and 17 December before proceeding to Manus, Admiralty Islands, for emergency repairs. Returning to Luzon on 1 January 1945, she participated in the preinvasion bombardments in Lingayen Gulf. On 9 January accidental gunfire hit her superstructure killing 18 and wounding 51.

1945 Okinawa

USS Colorado (BB-45)
The U.S. Navy battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) leading USS Colorado (BB-45) and the cruisers USS Louisville (CA-28), USS Portland (CA-33), and USS Columbia (CL-56) into Lingayen Gulf, Philippines, in January 1945. U.S. Navy photo 80-G-59525; Post-work: Cobatfor ( Pennsylvania ´s radar antennas added that had been removed by the wartime censor) — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

After replenishing at Ulithi, in the Western Carolines, Colorado joined the preinvasion bombardment group at Kerama Retto on 25 March 1945 for the invasion of Okinawa . She remained there supplying fire support until 22 May when she cleared for Leyte Gulf.

Returning to occupied Okinawa on 6 August 1945, Colorado sailed from there for the occupation of Japan, covering the airborne landings at Atsugi Airfield, Tokyo. on 27 August. Departing Tokyo Bay on 20 September 1945 she arrived at San Francisco on 15 October, then steamed to Seattle, Wash., for the Navy Day celebration on 27 October.

Post-war 1946–1949

1947

Assigned to Magic Carpet duty Colorado made three runs to Pearl Harbor to transport 6,357 veterans home before reporting to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for inactivation. She was placed out of commission in reserve there on 7 January 1947,

Other photographs

Held for this vessel, and not tied to any part of the account above.

USS Colorado (BB-45)
The U.S. Navy battleship USS Colorado (BB-45) steams through rough seas, circa 1932. Note the hull number painted atop one of the forward turrets and the Vought O3U Corsair s positioned on the catpults. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2004.042.053 [1] — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
Interior of the Legends Room at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle, United States, showing a wall constructed from the teak decking of the former US Colorado (BB-45), along with a framed photo of the ship. Chetsford — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
80-G-1010887: USS Colorado (BB-45), circa 1932. 3/4th stern port view entering New York Harbor after Fleet Review. Photograph received 1957. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2017/10/10) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-1010887 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
80-G-56292: USS Colorado (BB-45). Signalmen sending a message with semaphore flags, on the battleship's signal bridge, 29 October 1943. Signalman 2nd Class Kenneth Mitchell is working the flags, as Signalman 3rd Class John Wilson mans the telescope. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2016/02/08). National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-56292 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
80-G-6575: USS Colorado(BB 45) using anti-torpedo net. Photographed May 1942. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2016/10/11). National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-6575 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
80-G-6576: USS Colorado (BB 45) using anti-torpedo net. Photographed May 1942. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2016/10/11). National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-6576 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
80-G-K-13670 (Color): USS Colorado (BB-45). Firing her after 16"/45 guns, during preparations for the Tarawa invasion, which took place in late November 1943. Crewmen visible in this photo are not in combat dress, indicating that the view was taken during battle practice. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2016/02/08). National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-K-13670 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
Warships of the U.S. Third Fleet and the British Pacific Fleet in Sagami Wan, 28 August 1945, preparing for the formal Japanese surrender a few days later. Mount Fuji is in the background. Nearest ship is USS Missouri (BB-63), flying Admiral William F. Halsey's four-star flag. The British battleship HMS Duke of York is just beyond her, with HMS King George V further in. USS Colorado (BB-45) is in Official U.S. Navy Photograph — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-339360 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
Title: COLORADO - going into commission Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. Bain News Service, publisher — Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014716499 Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/master/pnp/ggbain/36300/36350u.tif Original url: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014716499/ — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
Title: COLORADO Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. Bain News Service, publisher — Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014716498 Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/ggbain/36300/36349v.jpg Original url: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014716498/ — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
Title: COLORADO Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. Bain News Service, publisher — Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014716498 Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/master/pnp/ggbain/36300/36349u.tif Original url: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014716498/ — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Colorado (BB-45)
Unknown author — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

References

Every work this entry draws on. There are no numbered markers in the text above: what we hold is the provenance of the page — this history, this article, these photographs.

  1. History Colorado III (BB-45) Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Naval History and Heritage Command. A work of the United States Government, in the public domain — the only text on this site reproduced verbatim.
  2. Facts USS Colorado (BB-45) Structured facts only — dates, dimensions, armament and fate. No wording is taken from it. Harvested 1 August 2026.
  3. Photograph USS Colorado (BB-45) New York 1932 U.S. Navy [ 2 ] — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2004.042.052 [1] — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photograph USS Colorado (BB-45) overhead view 1932 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2004.042.053 [1] — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photograph USS Colorado 3 Unknown author — United States Navy official image — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  6. Photograph US warships entering Lingayen Gulf 1945 U.S. Navy photo 80-G-59525; Post-work: Cobatfor ( Pennsylvania ´s radar antennas added that had been removed by the wartime censor) — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  7. Photograph Legends Room at WAC Chetsford — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
  8. Photograph 111-SC-13559 - NARA - 55187261 Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  9. Photograph 80-G-1010887 (37573221556) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-1010887 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  10. Photograph 80-G-56292 (24267473723) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-56292 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  11. Photograph 80-G-6574 (30181983361) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-6574 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  12. Photograph 80-G-6575 (30232633306) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-6575 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  13. Photograph 80-G-6576 (30232631566) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-6576 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  14. Photograph 80-G-K-13670 (24267467823) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-K-13670 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  15. Photograph Allied battleships in Sagami Bay 28 Aug 1945 Official U.S. Navy Photograph — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-339360 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  16. Photograph COLORADO - going into commission LCCN2014716499 Bain News Service, publisher — Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014716499 Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/ggbain/36300/36350v.jpg Original url: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014716499/ — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  17. Photograph COLORADO - going into commission LCCN2014716499 Bain News Service, publisher — Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014716499 Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/master/pnp/ggbain/36300/36350u.tif Original url: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014716499/ — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  18. Photograph COLORADO LCCN2014716498 Bain News Service, publisher — Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014716498 Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/ggbain/36300/36349v.jpg Original url: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014716498/ — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  19. Photograph COLORADO LCCN2014716498 Bain News Service, publisher — Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014716498 Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/master/pnp/ggbain/36300/36349u.tif Original url: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014716498/ — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  20. Photograph Cover USS Colorado 1933 Unknown author — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  21. Photograph Filian on the Colorado 1925 (49347648973) Harley Flowers from Mobile, USA — Filian on the Colorado 1925 — CC BY-SA 2.0 — Wikimedia Commons
  22. Photograph Launch of KAMOI (Japan) LCCN2014714553 Bain News Service, publisher — Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014714553 Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/ggbain/34400/34401v.jpg Original url: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014714553/ — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons