Have to respectively disagree Jeff. Halsey’s unit (7Th. or 3Rd. fleets, I forget, was chasing the Japanese attempt (successful) to draw out the U.S. surface fleet north. Purpose was to sacrifice their naval air power. San Bernardino was left without heavy surface units due to miscommunication resultant from a less than optimal command structure. When the fact of the situation became apparent Halsey was too far north for quick response to the southern threat. Had he broke off and returned south for the decisive heavy surface engagement he might well have not gotten there in time and ended up dithering between two potential engagements, and contributing to neither. He chose to continue north; at that time still believing he could destroy the Japanese carrier fleet. It was a call and most historians tend to side with his choice.

As history buffs we’d all like to be able to ruminate over the heavy surface battle that never was, but the sailors in position to engage likely only breathed a sigh of relief. Personaly I believe the Japanese heavy units would have been torn to shreds and spit out, but not without taking our own hits. The U.S. Pacific Fleet, at this time, was extremely battle tested, proven, and, as the Navy puts it “Ready”.

Given all this the Iowa is, to this day, an impressive sight. I think it is a testament to what America can accomplish given the state of our heavy units on Dec. 8, 1941.

It’s a shame you have only scorn for one of the last icons of the U.S. Navy’s finest hour.

Steve,

The Iowa is a floating piece of US history. She was the ONLY ship of her class to serve in the Atlantic in WWII.

It also served as the flagship for the US fleet when the Japanese surrendered at Tokyo Bay.

She deserves to be placed as a floating museum so the public can see a living piece of a history.

The Israelis bombed the **** out of a US Navy vessel, and remained an ally of the US.