Battleship Missouri Memorial Review

Was amazing, just knowing the history and all that has taken place on her that my feet are standing where theirs were. So much better in person, photos don't do it justice

Go experience history first hand. This is where the Japanese Unconditionally Surrendered to the United States therby ending WW2. Amazingly preserved, and did you know its not just a museum piece? it recently was upfitted to fire Tomahawk Missles and saw service in the Gulf War. HUGE gun turrets that have to be experienced up close to appreciate their massive size. Walk through the ship and even view the Officers Quarters! An Inexpensive way to experience and learn some history. Be sure to thank any one or all of the veterans whom you will undoubtedly come accross. Its one fun and amazing trip. It also offers the absolute best views for pictures of the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Amazing!

I feel the history. It sounds easy to say that various thoughts were intermingled here, but I felt ready for life.

Highlight of Pearl Harbor visit. Plan two hours here.

A very interesting experience in which we realize what people have been through and how they have managed to live for months in these structures.

Beautiful ship. The guided tour is a nice introduction before going on your own and exploring the top decks and the underside. I highly reccomend this visit to anyone who can do it

Pearl Harbor, a #1 priority for us.

A very emotional day, our Missouri tour guide was awesome. He said... reflect that you are about to go up the stairs as did the Japanese when they surrendered, 1st time Japan had to do such a thing... imagine you are going up the stairs to where General McArthur awaits for events to unfold... many boats, filled with reporters / cameras are taking photos...

On 12-07-1941, troops serving the US fleet at Pearl Harbor began a calm Sunday morning unaware that Japanese bombers were headed toward America's most important Pacific base. There, like a string of pearls draped across the docks and waterfront, was the majority of the US's naval might.

The devastating Japanese onslaught began at 7:48 AM, killing 2,402 Americans and wounding many others, sinking four battleships, and damaging military airfields.

The Pearl Harbor attack spurred America into WW II.

Aboard this ship... the surrender of Japan is signed!

As we approached the battleship, we noticed the statue of Chester William Nimitz, who lived from 02-24-1885 through 02-20-1966, playing a major role during WWII as Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet Allied air, land, sea and the leading authority on submarines, overseeing the conversion from gasoline to diesel, acquiring approval to build the world s first nuclear powered submarine, the USS Nautilus.

10 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Nimitz was selected by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to be commander in chief US Pacific Fleet, promoted to admiral, immediately departing to Hawaii taking command on the top deck of the submarine Grayling because every battleship in Pearl Harbor had been either sunk or damaged during the attack. On 12-14-1944, by an Act of Congress, Nimitz is appointed to the highest rank in the Navy: Fleet Admiral, Nimitz signed as the representative for the USA when Japan formally surrendered.

Our tour guide welcomed us aboard the Mighty Mo!

A new experience for us, Battleship Missouri was filled with details we did not know, the Mighty Mo retains all of the physical characteristics of her service.

We were told to look out for knee knockers head bangers to always face a ladder when we descend or ascend and to never lean on, or over the life lines surrounding the perimeter of the main deck.

The length of the ship is 887 feet 3 inches ; Beam 108 feet 2 inches; Draft 38 feet and its height 216 feet 6 inches. Its displacement is 58,000 tons fully loaded and 45,000 tons unloaded.

It achieves a speed of 32 knots, and we now know that a nautical knot equals 1.15078 miles on shore, so the ship can travel at approximately 37 miles per hour.

The Missouri was built in New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York. The keel was laid on 01-06-1941 and launched on 01-29-1944, commissioned on 06-11-1944, decommissioned 02-26-1955, recommissioned on 05-10-1986.

Its main gun battery: Nine 16 / 50 caliber with a range of 23 miles
Secondary gun battery: Twelve 5 / 38 caliber with a range of 9 miles
Air Defense: 4 Vulcan Phalanx weapons system

Missiles: 32 Tamahawk Anti-Surface Missiles / Land Attack Missiles 16 Harpoon Anti-Surface Missiles

Final Decommission: 03-31-1992

One interesting face we had never heard of is that on 11 April, 1945, a low-flying kamikaze Zero, although fired upon, crashed on Missouri's starboard side, just below her main deck level.



04-12-1945 he was buried at sea with military honors, wrapped in the Japanese flag.

The world doesn t get to know of this honorable act because everyone concentrated on the main news of the day, the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt who dies on that day in Warm Springs, California.

Live and learn!

Our last photo was taken from a helicopter ride, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters!

Great family day at this historical site, enjoy boarding the battleship and walking through the ship. We attended during an Anniversary event, navy band and army band were playing, dancing, food vendors, gift shop. Photo opts. Cost of tickets supports the program and upkeep of the ship. It was $ well spent. Many volunteers help also.

Tour, guide was great , history lesson even better . As for gift shop one lady who worked in store did everything she could to ignore my family while in the shop, didnt let it bother us but felt that was unneeded but thats life sometimes otherwise good times.

Great historical place. I loved climbing over the ship. I would have loved to go further below deck to see the engines and bowls of the ship.

I highly recommend this tour a very memorable experience . well organized with no problems

This place was awesome and even better since we just happened to be there on the 70th anniversary of the signing of the surrender documents in WWII.

First hand American history and well preserved. Everyone who comes will see what life was like for sailors aboard her.

Awesome. Joe our guide was excellent with the history of this great battleship. Thanks for your service Joe.

I know the Battleship New Jersey well since it's near home and I even taugh classes on it. The comparison is natural. New Jersey had more compartments available so you could see berthing, officers country, machinery spaces, etc. But the surrender deck alone makes this worth the tour. And our guide was very knowledgable.

Great tribute to all who served our Great Nation and sacrificed their lives for our freedom. To stand on the very spot where the surrender document was signed is surreal. This is a must visit for all to show their respect and appreciation for our military. To ALL of my fellow servicemembers and Veterans, Thank you.

Amazing ship to tour, a lot of history in one place, plus it's immense size is stunning

Loved everything about visiting this piece of history. The customer service when collecting tickets was great and it really made me happy that they gave VIP help to military people and families.
The bus ride over to the USS Missouri included a bit of audio history. We took part in a 35 min tour in English and the guide was brilliant and knowledgeable.
The fact that you can explore the ship freely is especially awesome and if you have never been make sure you give yourself plenty of time. Think of how much time you think you will take and double it especially if you have children that are interested in military things. There are plenty of photo opportunities on the ship!
There is a lovely view to the modern day destroyer ships and to the USS Arizona which it is special to reflect on from the Missouri.
Take a water bottle and note that you cant eat or take big drinks on the shuttle bus so keep that in mind if you decide to buy food from one of the vendors next to the ship.

Superb. Take the guided tour. It's 35 minutes and you'll learn so much!

Gigantic. I had seen the "Missouri" on TV during her work on "Desert Storm" and was thrilled to be able to visit her now. Unfortunately, the visitors were not allowed to enter the turrets and one of the guides told nonsense. Therefore only 4 points.

Tour guide was very knowledgeable to a lot of the history of the mighty Mo. And added some of what was just small stuff that nobody would really think about. Kept everyone on their toes!

I enjoyed battleship Missouri. You can also look around the cannon, the boiler room, the turbine room etc, but it depends on the money. Japanese think that it is good to go on a Japanese tour. Nikkei people will guide you like a native Japanese.

Was impressed with the information received regarding the history of this ship.

Great tourist visit. Lot's of sightings with history. The gift shop is cool.

Amazing experience. Highly recommend taking a half day or so and visiting the Mighty Mo

Having never been in the service to actually board a battleship was fascinating.