Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War

United States Navy — Battleship

USS New Mexico (BB-40) — 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

(Battleship No. 40: dp. 32,000; l. 624-; b. 97-; dr. 30-; s. 21 k.; cpl. 1,084; a. 12 14-, 14 5-, 4 3-, 2 21- tt.; cl. New Mexico )

Great War and before

1915

New Mexico (Battleship No. 40) was laid down 14 October 1915 by the New York Navy Yard: launched 13 April 1917; sponsored by Miss Margaret C. DeBaca, daughter of the Governor of New Mexico; and commissioned 20 May 1918, Capt. Ashley H. Robertson in command.

Interwar 1919–1938

1919

USS New Mexico (BB-40)
80-G-461405: USS New Mexico (BB 40), barber shop onboard, July 1919. 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-461405 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

After initial training, New Mexico departed New York 15 January 1919 for Brest, France, to escort home transport George Washington carrying President Woodrow Wilson from the Versailles Peace Conference, returning to Hampton Roads 27 February. There on 16 July she became flagship of the newly-organized Pacific Fleet, and three days later sailed for the Panama Canal and San Pedro, Calif., arriving 9 August. The next 12 years were marked by frequent combined maneuvers with the Atlantic Fleet both in the Pacific and Caribbean which included visits to South American ports and a 1925 cruise to Australia and New Zealand.

1931 Gilbert Islands

Modernized and overhauled at Philadelphia between March 1931 and January 1933, New Mexico returned to the Pacific in October 1934 to resume training exercises and tactical development operations. As war threatened, her base was Pearl Harbor from 6 December 1940 until 20 May 1941, when she sailed to join the Atlantic Fleet at Norfolk 16 June for duty on neutrality patrol. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor , she returned to the west coast, and sailed 1 August 1942 from San Francisco to prepare in Hawaii for action. Between 6 December and 22 March 1943, she sailed to escort troop transports to the Fijis, then patrolled the southwest Pacific, returning to Pearl Harbor to prepare for the campaign against the Japanese in the Aleutians . On 17 May she arrived Adak, her base while serving on the blockade of Attu, and on 21 July she joined in the massive bombardment of Kiska that forced its evacuation a week later.

After refitting at Puget Sound Navy Yard, New Mexico returned to Pearl Harbor 25 October to rehearse the assault on the Gilbert Islands. During the invasion, begun 20 November, she pounded Butaritari, guarded transports during their night withdrawals from the islands, and provided antiaircraft cover during unloading operations, as well as screening carriers. She returned to Pearl Harbor 5 December.

Second World War 1939–1945

1944 Philippine Sea

USS New Mexico (BB-40)
The 5"/25 (127 mm) battery aboard the U.S. Navy battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40) prepares to fire during the bombardment of Saipan, 15 June 1944. Note the time-fuze setters on the left side of each gun mount, each holding three "fixed" rounds of ammunition; the barrels of 20 mm machine guns at the extreme right; and triple the 14"/50 (34.5 cm) guns in the background. U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-14162 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Underway with the Marshall Islands assault force 12 January 1944, New Mexico bombarded Kwajalein and Ebeye 31 January and 1 February, then replenished at Majuro. She blasted Wotje 20 February and Kavieng, New Ireland 20, March, then visited Sydney before arriving in the Solomons in May to rehearse the Marianas operation.

New Mexico bombarded Tinian 14 June, Saipan 15 June, and Guam 16 June, and twice helped drive off enemy air attacks 18 June. She protected transports off the Marianas while the carrier task force spelled the doom of Japanese naval aviation in its great victory, the Battle of the Philippine Sea , 19-20 June. New Mexico excorted transports to Eniwetok, then sailed 9 July guarding escort carriers until 12 July, when her guns opened on Guam in preparation for the landings 21 July. Until 30 July she blasted enemy positions and installations on the island.

Overhauled at Bremerton August to October, New Mexico arrived in Leyte Gulf 22 November to cover the movement of reinforcement and supply convoys, firing in the almost daily air attacks over the Gulf, as the Japanese posed desperate resistance to the reconquest of the Philippines. She left Leyte Gulf 2 December for the Palaus, where she joined a force covering the Mindoro-bound assault convoy. Again she sent up antiaircraft fire as invasion troops stormed ashore 15 December, providing cover for two days until sailing for the Palaus.

1945 Luzon

USS New Mexico (BB-40)
The U.S. Navy battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40) is hit by a kamikaze off Okinawa, Japan, 12 May 1945. She was set on fire and 54 members of New Mexico 's crew were killed, while a further 119 were wounded. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Wichita (CA-45) 1939-1945 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Her next operation was the invasion of Luzon, fought under a sky full of would-be suicide planes, against whom she was almost continually at general quarters. She fired prelanding bombardment 6 January 1945, and that day took a suicide hit on her bridge which killed her commanding officer, Captain R. W. Fleming, and 29 others of her crew, with 87 injured. Her guns remained in action as she repaired damage, and she was still in action 9 January as troops went ashore.

After repairs at Pearl Harbor, New Mexico arrived at Ulithi to stage for the invasion of Okinawa , sailing 21 March with a heavy fire support group. Her guns opened on Okinawa 26 March, and were not silent until 17 April as she gave every aid to troops engaged ashore. Again on 21 and 29 April she opened fire, and on 11 May she destroyed 8 suicide boats. While approaching her berth in Hagushi anchorage just after sunset 12 May, New Mexico was attacked by two suicides; one plunged into her, the other managed to hit her with his bomb. She was set on fire, and 54 of her men were killed, with 119 wounded. Swift action extinguished the fires within half an hour, and on 28 May she departed for repairs at Leyte, followed by rehearsals for the planned invasion of the Japanese home islands. Word of the war-s end reached her at Saipan 15 August, and next day she sailed for Okinawa to join the occupation force. She entered Sagami Wan 27 August to support the airborne occupation of Atsugi Airfield, then next day passed into Tokyo Bay to witness the surrender 2 September.

Post-war 1946–1949

1946

New Mexico was homeward bound 6 September, calling at Okinawa, Pearl Harbor, and the Panama Canal before arriving Boston 17 October. There she decommissioned 19 July 1946. She was sold for scrapping 13 October 1947 to Lipsett, Inc., New York City.

Other photographs

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

USS New Mexico (BB-40)
The U.S. Navy battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in about 1935. Tai Tsing Loo — U.S. Navy photo NH 50299 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
The U.S. Navy battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40) anchored in the Tokyo Bay area, circa late August 1945, at the end of World War II. Mount Fuji is in the background. Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 50232 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
14-inch (35.6 cm) projectiles on deck of the U.S. Navy battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40), while the battleship was replenishing her ammunition supply prior to the invasion of Guam, July 1944. The photograph looks forward on the starboard side, with triple 14"/50 gun turrets at left. Note floater nets stowed atop the turrets. USN — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-14228 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
Accession: 2011-173-103 Pennant, Commemorative, USS NEW MEXICO (BB-40). 17.5"H x 29.25"L Commemorative pennant made from felt, with scene of Diamond Head Mountain, Hawaii. Collection of Curator Branch, Naval History and Heritage Command. Naval History & Heritage Command from Washington, DC, USA — 2011-173-103 Pennant, Commemorative, USS NEW MEXICO — CC BY 2.0 — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
80-CF-14-2051-14: USS New Mexico (BB 40), New York City, New York, May 31, 1934. (6/30/2015). National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-CF-14-2051-14 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
80-CF-14-2051-2: USS New Mexico (BB 40) port bow, off New York City, New York, May 31, 1934. (6/30/2015). National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-CF-14-2051-2 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
80-G-461383: USS New Mexico (BB 40), looking aft, pre 1924. 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-461383 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
80-G-461408: USS New Mexico (BB 40), aerial oblique. Photograph received 1921. 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-461408 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
View of the docks, dated 10 February 1942, with Merchant ships and warships present. Battleship PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38) is at bottom, with USS KITTY HAWK (APV-1) across pier from her. Other battleship is USS NEW MEXICO (BB-40). Unknown author — https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/80-G-K-01000/80-G-K-1026.html — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
80-G-K-14162 (Color): USS New Mexico (BB-40). Ship's 5"/25 battery prepares to fire during the bombardment of Saipan, 15 June 1944. Note time-fuze setters on the left side of each gun mount, each holding three "fixed" rounds of ammunition; barrels of 20mm machine guns at the extreme right; and triple 14"/50 guns in the background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the Nation National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-K-14162 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
80-G-K-14228 (Color): USS New Mexico (BB-40). 14-inch projectiles on deck, while the battleship was replenishing her ammunition supply prior to the invasion of Guam, July 1944. The photograph looks forward on the starboard side, with triple 14"/50 gun turrets at left. Note floater nets stowed atop the turrets. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2016/02 National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-K-14228 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
USS New Mexico (BB-40) 14-inch projectiles on deck, while the battleship was replenishing her ammunition supply prior to the invasion of Guam, July 1944. The photograph looks forward on the starboard side, with triple 14/50 gun turrets at left. Note floater nets stowed atop the turrets. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Catalog #: 80-G-K-14228 United States Navy — https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1944/guam-tinian/guam-gallery.html — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
80-G-K-14233 (Color): USS New Mexico (BB-40). Firing her after 14"/50 guns during the pre-invasion bombardment of Guam, circa 14-20 July. Taken by a Combat Photo Unit Two (CPU-2) photographer, looking aft along the port side from the forward sky lookout position. Ship identification is probable. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2016/02/05) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-K-14233 — 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 New Mexico (Battleship No. 40) 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 New Mexico (BB-40) Structured facts only — dates, dimensions, armament and fate. No wording is taken from it. Harvested 1 August 2026.
  3. Photograph USS New Mexico BB-40 1921 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2004.042.056 1921 [1] — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photograph USS New Mexico (BB-40) in Pearl Harbor, circa 1935 (NH 50299) Tai Tsing Loo — U.S. Navy photo NH 50299 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photograph 127mm gun battery aboard USS New Mexico (BB-40) off Saipan on 15 June 1944 U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-14162 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  6. Photograph USS New Mexico (BB-40) is hit by a kamikaze off Okinawa, 12 May 1945 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Wichita (CA-45) 1939-1945 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  7. Photograph Uss new mexico bb Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 50232 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  8. Photograph 111-SC-41460 - NARA - 55242046 Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  9. Photograph 111-SC-43771 - NARA - 55246400 Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  10. Photograph 111-SC-43774 - NARA - 55246406 Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  11. Photograph 14in shells on deck of USS New Mexico (BB-40) in 1944 USN — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-14228 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  12. Photograph 2011-173-103 Pennant, Commemorative, USS NEW MEXICO Naval History & Heritage Command from Washington, DC, USA — 2011-173-103 Pennant, Commemorative, USS NEW MEXICO — CC BY 2.0 — Wikimedia Commons
  13. Photograph 80-CF-14-2051-14 (18702060023) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-CF-14-2051-14 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  14. Photograph 80-CF-14-2051-2 (19135109790) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-CF-14-2051-2 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  15. Photograph 80-G-461383 (29636690974) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-461383 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  16. Photograph 80-G-461405 (29636690104) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-461405 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  17. Photograph 80-G-461408 (29636689304) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-461408 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  18. Photograph 80-G-K-1026 San Francisco, California Unknown author — https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/80-G-K-01000/80-G-K-1026.html — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  19. Photograph 80-G-K-14162 (24834777625) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-K-14162 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  20. Photograph 80-G-K-14228 (24808526646) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-K-14228 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  21. Photograph 80-G-K-14228 USS New Mexico (BB-40) replenishes her ammunition supply prior to the invasion of Guam United States Navy — https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1944/guam-tinian/guam-gallery.html — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  22. Photograph 80-G-K-14233 (24808598116) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-K-14233 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons